Glossary of maritime terminology

The PA (public address) system in shipping terms, is a total system that consists of a network of loudspeakers located throughout the vessel, including on deck and in cabins and crew mess rooms. This system allows for the simultaneous broadcast of messages and important information, usually from the bridge but also from at least one other area onboard in the event that the bridge cannot be accessed due to an emergency.

Painter is the name of the bow line by which a tender boat or a dinghy is moored or towed by.

Panamax is a term used to denote the size of a vessel that has been designed to be just small enough to be able to transit the Panama Canal. A Panamax vessel can be a container ship, bulk carrier, warship, or passenger ship.

Papa stands for the letter P in the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, which is most often referred to as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet or simply the Phonetic Alphabet. This is the most commonly used group of code words used to clearly communicate the letters of the Roman alphabet, particularly over the radio and is essential in helping seafarers give and receive messages, orders and instructions clearly and correctly.

A parachute flare, also known as a parachute rocket flare or red parachute flare, falls under the category of life saving appliance and is a visual aid that draws attention to a boat or ship in distress. Parachute flares are long range aids that project an extremely bright signal that floats back down to earth from a small parachute.

These flares are brighter than handheld flares and can reach a height of around 300 meters / 1000 feet and they burn for approximately 40 seconds. On a clear day or night, parachute flares can be seen at a distance of approximately 28 miles or 45 kilometers.

A parachute rocket flare, also known as a parachute flare or red parachute flare, falls under the category of life saving appliance and is a visual aid that draws attention to a boat or ship in distress. Parachute flares are long range aids that project an extremely bright signal that floats back down to earth from a small parachute.

These flares are brighter than handheld flares and can reach a height of around 300 meters / 1000 feet and they burn for approximately 40 seconds. On a clear day or night, parachute rocket flares can be seen at a distance of approximately 28 miles or 45 kilometers.

A parcel tanker is a type of tanker that is specially designed to carry a variety of different liquids at one time. These could be chemicals, or liquids that come in different grades, such as petroleum.

PCC stands for pure car carrier - a cargo ship which mainly transports new cars.

PCTC stands for pure car and truck carrier - a cargo ship which mainly transports new vehicles of any description.

A personal flotation device (PFD), also referred to as a life jacket, life preserver or life vest is a sleeveless jacket that is designed to enable the wearer to float when they are in water. PFDs automatically force the wearer into a position whereby they are facing upwards - this keeps the nose and mouth out of the water, helping to lower the risk of drowning - something that is especially important if the wearer is unconscious when they fall into the water.

PFD stands for personal flotation device. Also referred to as a life jacket, life preserver or life vest, it is a sleeveless jacket that is designed to enable the wearer to float when they are in water. PFDs automatically force the wearer into a position whereby they are facing upwards - this keeps the nose and mouth out of the water, helping to lower the risk of drowning - something that is especially important if the wearer is unconscious when they fall into the water.

The Phonetic Alphabet - or to give it its formal title - the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet (although it is most often referred to as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet), is the most commonly used group of code words used to clearly communicate the letters of the Roman alphabet, particularly over the radio.

You may also hear the alphabet called the NATO Spelling Alphabet, the ICAO Phonetic Alphabet and the ICAO Spelling Alphabet. (ICAO being the International Civil Aviation Organization.)

The code words used, from a to Z are: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, Xray, Yankee and  Zulu.

Note that Alfa and Juliett are intentionally spelled ‘incorrectly’ to avoid any confusion caused by their original spellings - i.e. Alpha and Juliet - being mispronounced.

In maritime terms, a pier is a manmade structure which juts out from land into a waterway. Piers are used for mooring vessels and cargo handling. 

A Pilot is someone with a deep knowledge of a certain area of a waterway, such as the entrance and exit to a port or harbor. They are licensed navigational guides who are brought onboard by means of a pilot boat to help guide a vessel through difficult locations and uniquely local conditions.

 A Pilot controls the vessel from the pilot house which is an enclosed space on the bridge.

The pilot ladder is a type of rope ladder which is used on board ships to allow the marine pilot to embark and disembark. This dangerous job involves the pilot jumping from their much smaller pilot boat onto the bigger vessel. They then climb the pilot ladder to board the ship and steer her to safety through difficult waters that the captain may not know. The pilot usually boards on the lee side of the ship, which is the side that faces away from the wind. 

Pilotage is the act of piloting a vessel - see pilot above.

The pilotage dues are the fee paid by a ship's owner or operator for the services of a pilot. The fee is usually worked out in accordance with the vessel's tonnage.

A pipelaying vessel, also known as a pipelay vessel or simply a PLV, is a ship that is used in the construction of subsea infrastructure. These vessels are utilized to connect oil production platforms with oil refineries on shore.

A pit log, short for pitometer speed log in maritime terminology, is an instrument used to measure the speed of a ship through the water. It works on the principle that the amount of water absorbed is equal to the amount of water transpired, therefore it measures the amount of absorbed water. Any data collected by the pit log is normally transmitted directly to the vessel’s navigation system.

A pitometer speed log, or pit log, is an instrument used to measure the speed of a ship through the water. It works on the principle that the amount of water absorbed is equal to the amount of water transpired, therefore it measures the amount of absorbed water. Any data collected by the pitometer log is normally transmitted directly to the vessel’s navigation system.

In shipping terms, a plate heat exchanger, also known as a plate type cooler, transfers heat between two fluids via the use of metal plates. Modern ship builders prefer this method over a conventional heat exchanger because the fluids involved are exposed to a much larger surface area due to them being spread across the plates, thereby increasing the process's efficiency.

A plate type cooler, also known as a plate heat exchanger, transfers heat between two fluids via the use of metal plates. Modern ship builders prefer this method over a conventional heat exchanger because the fluids involved are exposed to a much larger surface area due to them being spread across the plates, thereby increasing the process's efficiency.

Often shortened to PSV, a platform supply vessel is a vessel that is designed to carry supplies including equipment to offshore oil and gas drilling units or installations. This can include drilling equipment as well as substances and liquids such as drill water, bentonite, cement, barite, liquid mud, oil, chemical and methanol. 

Platform supply vessels can also be used to provide support in the event that medical aid or firefighting services are required.

Also called the load line, the Plimsoll line is a physical marking on a ship's hull indicates the maximum depth to which that vessel can sink when loaded with cargo. 

A PLV is a pipelaying vessel, also known as a pipelay vessel. These are ships that are used in the construction of subsea infrastructure. PLVs are utilized to connect oil production platforms with oil refineries on shore.

The poop deck on a ship is a maritime term given to the deck that is situated at the vessel’s rear - AKA the stern - and is where the senior crew observe operations and navigation from. It is also the deck that doubles as the roof of a cabin that is located towards the back (aft) of the ship’s superstructure. The word ‘poop’ comes from ‘puppis’ which is Latin for the vessel’s stern-side.

A port is the place where ships dock as well as a general term for the port authority or agency which oversees the use of a public harbor or wharf, as well as properties at that port. 

As the name suggests, in freight terms, a port-of-call is a port at which a cruise ship or liner makes a scheduled stop on its voyage. Occasionally also referred to as destination port or transit port, a call itself can last anywhere from five to 24 hours long, allowing passengers to disembark and explore the local area.

A porthole is a circular window found on a ship or yacht's hull. Its purpose is to let light and, in some cases, fresh air into the cabins and internal spaces on the vessel's lower decks, which are otherwise enclosed.

Or more commonly just called port, this refers to the left hand side of a vessel facing forwards. At night the portside of a ship is identified by a red light.

A Post-Panamax vessel is a vessel that is too large to transit the Panama Canal. (See Panamax vessel above.)

A products tanker is a tanker that has been designed to carry refined oil and petroleum products in bulk.

Project cargo is a freight term used to refer to cargo that consists of the equipment and materials needed to assemble a project. This project could be anything from a bridge to a factory to an oil rig.

The promenade deck on a ship is found on certain passenger ships, such as ferries, cruise ships and river boats. Normally it runs on both sides of the vessel from the bow to the stern, creating a walkway for passengers to enjoy the sea air and ocean views.

A propane carrier is a vessel that has been designed to carry propane in liquid form. Propane carriers are also used to transport butane

The propeller on a boat or ship is a type of rotating fan which uses the power generated and transmitted by the main engine to propel the vessel.

The propeller hub (also called boss hub), is the central portion of a screw propeller to which the blades are attached and through which the propeller shaft end passes.

The propeller shaft, also called marine propeller shaft, is a mechanical component that transfers the power created by the ship’s engines to the propeller or propellers. Essentially it is a shaft that carries a screw propeller at its end. 

In maritime terms, the provision crane, also called a marine provisions crane, on a ship is, as the name suggests, used to load and unload provisions needed by or for the crew and passengers, such as food and supplies.

PSV is short for platform supply vessel - vessels that are designed to carry supplies and equipment to offshore oil and gas drilling units or installations. This can include drilling equipment as well as substances and liquids such as drill water, bentonite, cement, barite, liquid mud, oil, chemical and methanol. 

PSVs can also be used to provide support in the event that medical aid or firefighting services are required.

The public address (PA) system on a ship is a total system that consists of a network of loudspeakers located throughout the vessel, including on deck and in cabins and crew mess rooms. This system allows for the simultaneous broadcast of messages and important information, usually from the bridge but also from at least one other area onboard in the event that the bridge cannot be accessed due to an emergency.

A Pumpman is an unlicensed seafarer (a rating) who works almost exclusively on tankers. Their main responsibility is ensuring the safe and correct operation of the vessel’s liquid cargo transfer system.

A pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) is a cargo ship which mainly transports new vehicles of any description.

A pure car carrier (PCC) is a cargo ship which mainly transports new cars.

Most commonly referred to as the Hotel Manager on the majority of cruise ships these days the Purser is a ship’s officer who is in charge of accounts - most commonly on a passenger ship.

In maritime terminology, a pusher, also called a pusher tug, towboat, or pusher boat, is a small but strong boat with a snub-nose shaped hull that is used to push barges in, out and around harbors. Smaller pushers are usually limited to pushing one or two barges, while larger boats (also known as a lone boat) can push anywhere from five barges up to forty.

A pusher boat, also called a pusher, pusher tug, or towboat, is a small but strong boat with a snub-nose shaped hull that is used to push barges in, out and around harbors. Smaller pusher boats are usually limited to pushing one or two barges, while larger boats (also known as a lone boat) can push anywhere from five barges up to forty.

A pusher tug, also called a pusher, towboat, or pusher boat, is a small but strong boat with a snub-nose shaped hull that is used to push barges in, out and around harbors. Smaller pusher tugs are usually limited to pushing one or two barges, while larger boats (also known as a lone boat) can push anywhere from five barges up to forty.