Maritime Glossary

International convention setting minimum standards for training, certification, and watchkeeping of seafarers. Adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1978 and amended in 2010.

Philippine government agency (now part of DMW) that regulates overseas employment of Filipino workers, including seafarers. Issues OFW documentation and approves manning agency licenses.

Philippine government agency responsible for implementing maritime policies, including seafarer certification, vessel registration, and maritime education standards.

Philippine government agency providing welfare services, insurance, and repatriation support for overseas Filipino workers including seafarers.

United Nations specialized agency responsible for regulating international shipping. Sets global standards for ship safety, security, and environmental protection.

International labour standard (ILO, 2006) establishing comprehensive rights and protections for seafarers worldwide, covering employment conditions, accommodation, health, and social security.

International framework for security measures on ships and in port facilities, adopted after 9/11. Requires Ship Security Officers (SSO) and security plans.

Mandatory STCW training covering personal survival techniques, fire prevention, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities. Required for all seafarers before first deployment.

STCW certification for operating lifeboats, rescue boats, and life rafts. Required for officers and crew assigned to survival craft duties.

Government-issued certificate confirming a seafarer has met the standards of competency for a specific rank and function (e.g., Master, Chief Engineer). Valid for 5 years.

Certificate confirming competency in a specific skill area (e.g., advanced firefighting, medical first aid, ship security officer). Supplements the COC.

GMDSS radio operator certificate allowing operation of all maritime communication equipment. Required for officers on GMDSS-equipped vessels.

Internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, equipment, and communication protocols for maritime distress and safety communications.

International maritime treaty (first adopted 1914, current version 1974) setting minimum safety standards for ship construction, equipment, and operation.

Measure of a vessel's total internal volume. 1 GRT = 100 cubic feet (2.83 m³). Used for port fees, crew certification requirements, and regulatory thresholds.

Maximum weight a vessel can carry including cargo, fuel, ballast water, provisions, passengers, and crew. Measured in metric tons.

Unique seven-digit identification number assigned by the International Maritime Organization to seagoing vessels. Remains unchanged throughout the vessel's lifetime regardless of ownership or flag changes.

Country where a vessel is registered (flagged). Determines applicable maritime regulations, labor laws, and tax jurisdiction. Common flags: Panama, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Singapore.

Classification of a vessel by its primary function: bulk carrier, container ship, tanker (oil/chemical/gas), general cargo, passenger, offshore support vessel, etc.

Type of propulsion system: diesel (most common), steam turbine, gas turbine, or dual-fuel. Determines required engine room crew qualifications.

Geographic region where a vessel primarily operates: worldwide, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Americas, etc. Affects visa requirements and crew rotation schedules.

Maximum length of a vessel from bow to stern, measured in meters. Used for berthing, canal transit, and port facility planning.

Maximum width of a vessel, measured in meters at the widest point. Affects canal transit eligibility (e.g., Panama Canal Panamax limit).

Vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel). Determines minimum water depth required for safe navigation.

Record of a seafarer's employment history on vessels, including vessel name, position held, dates of sign-on and sign-off. Required for certificate upgrades and compliance reporting.

The date a crew member officially joins a vessel and begins their contract duties. Recorded in the ship's articles and the crew member's discharge book.

The date a crew member officially leaves a vessel and is released from duties. May be due to contract completion, relief, medical reasons, or vessel lay-up.

The specific role or job title held by a seafarer on board. Officers hold positions like Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer. Ratings hold positions like Able Seaman, Oiler, Cook.

A non-officer crew member who performs operational duties. Includes Able Seaman (AB), Ordinary Seaman (OS), Oiler, Wiper, Messman, and Cook.

A senior crew member holding a Certificate of Competency and responsible for navigation, engineering, or vessel management. Includes Master, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Chief Engineer, etc.

Person designated by the seafarer to receive a portion of their monthly salary while deployed at sea. Typically a spouse, parent, or family member. Multiple allottees may receive different percentages.

Contract between a seafarers' union and a ship owner/operator setting wages, working hours, leave, benefits, and working conditions for crew. Common CBAs include ITF, AMOSUP, and POEA standard.

Company licensed to recruit, process, and deploy seafarers on behalf of ship owners/operators (principals). Handles documentation, training verification, and deployment logistics.

The ship owner, operator, or manager that contracts with a manning agency to supply crew. Also called the foreign employer. Determines vessel assignments and crew requirements.

System of rotating duty periods (watches) to ensure continuous operation of the vessel. Standard watch system: 4 hours on, 8 hours off. Applies to both deck and engine departments.

The total number of crew positions required to safely operate a vessel, as specified in the vessel's Minimum Safe Manning Document. Includes officers, ratings, and catering staff.

The scheduled relief cycle for seafarers. Typical rotation: 4-9 months on board followed by 2-4 months leave. Rotation planning ensures continuous vessel manning.

The return of a seafarer to their home country at the end of a contract or due to emergency. MLC 2006 requires the ship owner to bear all repatriation costs.

Government-issued identity document for seafarers containing personal details, sea service records, and certification information. Also known as seaman's book or discharge book.

The primary maritime identity document issued by MARINA. Contains the seafarer's personal information, photo, sea service records, and serves as a passport equivalent in some jurisdictions.

National travel document required for international travel. Seafarers need a valid passport in addition to their seaman's book for port entry in foreign countries.

Entry permit for a specific country. Required for crew joining vessels in certain ports. Common types: C1/D (US transit/crew), Schengen crew visa, Australian Maritime Crew Visa.

Certificate confirming a seafarer is medically fit for duty at sea. Issued by approved medical practitioners. Valid for 2 years (1 year for under-18). Required by STCW and MLC.

International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever. Required for seafarers visiting ports in endemic zones (parts of Africa and South America). Valid for life per WHO 2016 amendment.

Mandatory pre-employment and random drug screening for seafarers. Tests for prohibited substances per DOLE and principal requirements. Results must be negative for deployment clearance.

Recognition by a flag state that a seafarer's COC (issued by another country) is valid for service on vessels flying that flag. Must be obtained before joining the vessel.

Certificate qualifying a seafarer to operate GMDSS radio communication equipment. Required for navigating officers on SOLAS-convention vessels.

Additional certification for crew serving on oil, chemical, or liquefied gas tankers. Covers cargo handling safety, pollution prevention, and emergency procedures specific to tanker operations.

Certificate proving completion of BST courses: personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities.

Certificate confirming competency to take charge of a survival craft during and after launch. Covers lifeboat operation, rescue boat handling, and survival at sea techniques.

STCW certification for advanced fire prevention, fire fighting, and fire team leadership. Required for officers and crew with fire safety responsibilities.

Fixed monthly wage for a seafarer's regular duties, exclusive of overtime, leave pay, and allowances. Set by the CBA or individual employment contract.

Additional compensation for work performed beyond the standard 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek. Overtime rates are specified in the CBA (typically 1.25x to 1.5x basic rate).

Compensation accrued during the employment contract and paid out when the seafarer goes on leave. Typically calculated as a percentage of basic salary (commonly 2.5 to 5 days per month of service).

Portion of the seafarer's salary remitted monthly to designated allottees (family members) while the seafarer is deployed. Can be a fixed amount or percentage of salary.

Lump-sum or periodic payment made to a seafarer upon reaching mandatory retirement age (typically 60-65) or completing a specified number of years of service.

Additional payments for specific conditions: war zone bonus, hazardous cargo allowance, extended contract premium, or special skills compensation (e.g., DP operator).

Standardized salary table in a Collective Bargaining Agreement, listing minimum wages by position and vessel type. Updated periodically through union-employer negotiations.

Retirement savings scheme where both the seafarer and employer contribute a percentage of salary. Managed by the manning agency or a third-party fund administrator.

Philippine government social insurance program providing sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, and death benefits. Mandatory contributions from both employee and employer.

Reimbursement or advance for transportation costs to and from the port of embarkation. Covers airfare, ground transport, and incidental expenses during crew change.

Charges for processing seafarer documents including visa fees, flag state endorsement fees, medical examination fees, and government clearance costs. Typically borne by the manning agency or principal.

Mandatory medical examination conducted before deployment to verify the seafarer is physically and mentally fit for duty at sea. Must be performed by a DOH-accredited clinic.

Mandatory seminar for Filipino workers before overseas deployment. Covers rights and responsibilities, country-specific information, and available government services.

Document issued by POEA/DMW confirming a seafarer's overseas employment contract is registered and verified. Required before departure from the Philippines.

Crew member designated by the ship operator responsible for implementing the Ship Security Plan under the ISPS Code. Must hold an approved SSO training certificate.

STCW-required training for providing immediate medical care on board when professional medical help is not available. Required for designated first aid providers.

Standard unit of cargo capacity for container ships. Based on the volume of a 20-foot-long intermodal container. A standard 40-foot container equals 2 TEU.

Unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour (approximately 1.852 km/h). Used universally in maritime and aviation contexts.

A designated location in a port or harbor where a vessel is moored for loading, unloading, or repairs. Also refers to a sleeping accommodation on board a vessel.

Entity that hires a vessel from the ship owner for a specific voyage or period. Types: time charter (full vessel, set period), voyage charter (single voyage), bareboat (vessel without crew).

Schedule of duty periods for continuous vessel operation. Common systems: 4-on/8-off (traditional), 6-on/6-off (two-watch), or 12-on/12-off for smaller crews. Regulated by MLC rest hour requirements.

Work performed beyond the standard 8-hour workday. MLC 2006 limits maximum hours of work to 14 hours per day and 72 hours per week, with minimum 10 hours rest per day.

Minimum mandatory rest periods for seafarers under MLC 2006 and STCW: at least 10 hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period. Must be divided into no more than two periods.

The process of a seafarer boarding a vessel to begin their contract. Includes joining formalities, safety familiarization, and handover from the relieved crew member.

The process of a seafarer leaving a vessel at the end of their contract or for other reasons. Includes handover, clearance of accounts, and signing off from the ship's articles.

Document issued by a flag state recognizing a seafarer's COC from another country. Similar to flag state endorsement but specific to recognition agreements between maritime administrations.

National Bureau of Investigation clearance certificate. Required for Filipino seafarers as part of pre-deployment documentation. Verifies the applicant has no pending criminal cases.

Certificate from the local barangay (village) attesting to the seafarer's good moral character and residency. Part of Philippine pre-deployment requirements.

Certificate from the Philippine National Police confirming no pending criminal charges or derogatory records. Required for POEA/DMW overseas employment processing.