Glossary Archive

In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows: A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast. A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way...

If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorised elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel. Any light...

When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Regulations. Distress signals The distress signal rule directs you to ANNEX IV: Distress Signals of the regulations. This is the complete list of distress signals, including Mayday radio calls, electronic search and rescue...

Any vessel (or class of vessels) provided that she complies with the requirements of the International Regulation for Preventing Collisions and Sea, 1960, the keel of which is laid or which is at a corresponding stage of construction before the entry into force of these Regulations may be exempted from compliance therewith as follows: The...

Audit means a  systematic,  independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and  evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled. Audit Scheme means the IMO Member State Audit Scheme established by the Organization and taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization. Code for Implementation means the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) adopted by  the Organization by resolution A.1070(28) Audit Standard means the Code for Implementation.

Contracting Parties shall use the provisions of the Code for Implementation in the execution of their obligations and responsibilities contained in the present Convention.

Every Contracting Party shall be subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with  the audit standard to verify compliance with and implementation of the present Convention. The Secretary-General of the Organization shall have responsibility for administering the Audit  Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization. Every Contracting Party shall have responsibility for facilitating the conduct of the audit and implementation of a programme of actions to address  the ...

To allow a line, rope, or cable to move freely through a block, fairlead, or other fitting. The direction a vessel is moving, particularly when sailing with the wind directly behind it. In maritime terminology, "run" can refer to both the action of allowing a rope or line to move freely and the specific point...

The act of sailing a boat downwind, with the wind coming from astern.  Running is one of the main points of sail, where a vessel moves with the wind coming from directly behind or at a broad angle from the stern. This is generally the most comfortable and stable point of sail, as the boat...

A rigging component on a sailboat that helps support the mast. It runs from each lateral corner of the stern to the mast at the level where the forestay begins in a fractional rig.   Key functions of a running backstay: Mast support: It helps to prevent the mast from bending aft under load, especially in strong winds...