A term for the captain, a holdover from the days when the captain was literally, and legally, the "master" of the ship and crew. His word was law. … [Read more...]

To temporarily sew the ends of two ropes together for rendering through a block. Also to grip together parts of a fall to prevent running out. To marry strands to prepare for splicing. … [Read more...]

Pointed iron implement used in separating the strands of rope in splicing, marling, etc. … [Read more...]

That system of jurisprudence that prevails in courts having jurisdiction of marine causes. Also called marine or admiralty law. It is a branch of both international and commercial law. … [Read more...]

A duly qualified person who examines ships to ascertain their condition, on behalf of owners, underwriters, etc. Also called "ship surveyor" or simply "surveyor". … [Read more...]

A vessel’s reduced speed in circumstances where it may be required to use the engines at short notice … [Read more...]

Rope made from the fibers of the abaca plant. … [Read more...]

An opening into a tank or compartment designed to admit a man. … [Read more...]

Ropes hung and used for assistance in ascending and descending. … [Read more...]

A sort of wooden hammer, too well known to need description. The mallet used by caulkers to drive the oakum into the seams is in general very different from that of shipwrights, as it is longer and more cylindrical, and is hooped with iron at each end of the head, to prevent its splitting and wearing in the exercise of caulking. Northcountry shipwrights, who generally practice both branches, use the last-mentioned mallet upon all occasions. … [Read more...]