Quick’s the Word on the Water: Maritime Terms to Know

Navigating on the water can often be an intimidating venture for a novice boat owner, for any number of reasons. To get your journey started on the right foot, let’s take some time to look at some common maritime terms and explore why knowing them is essential for any seafarer. We designed our vessel documentation company to not just provide the best vessel documentation services but also to serve as a resource of information for boat owners. 

Maritime Terms: Helping Vessel Operators for Centuries

Boat owners have a unique responsibility to ensure the safety of their vessels and passengers while out on the open water. One important aspect of this responsibility is understanding common maritime terms. From “port” and “starboard” to “buoy” and “fender,” these terms are essential to clear communication and safe navigation. Knowing these terms can also help boat owners properly understand important warnings, navigate in unfamiliar waters, and communicate effectively with other boats, harbormasters, and even emergency responders. By taking the time to learn these critical phrases, boat owners can better protect themselves and others while enjoying all that the open water has to offer.

“Tonnage”- the measurement of a vessel’s cargo capacity

Have you ever heard the term “tonnage” thrown around when talking about ships? Tonnage refers to the measurement of a vessel’s cargo capacity, not its weight as some might assume. Essentially, it is a way of quantifying how much cargo a ship can carry. This term has been used for centuries and is still commonly used today in the shipping industry. The tonnage of a ship is a crucial factor in determining its value and its potential profitability as a cargo carrier. Moreover, for a vessel to qualify for vessel documentation, it has to measure at least five net tons. 

“Hull Identification Number (HIN)” – Like a “VIN” for Your Boat

A Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique combination of letters and numbers that visually identifies a boat and its manufacturer. This 12-digit code is required by law for all boats manufactured or imported after 1972, and it serves as a crucial record-keeping instrument in the boating industry. Beyond serving as a means of tracking a boat’s history and origins, the HIN is also important for safety reasons. Should a boat ever be involved in an accident or become lost or stolen, its HIN can be used to identify the vessel and help authorities locate it. As a boat owner, it is essential to have a proper HIN designation for your vessel to ensure safety, and legality, and maintain value. You can use a HIN to conduct a boat search at our site. 

Maritime Terms

A Home for Vessel Documentation 

The above are just some of the terms that you may hear when you head out on the water. Before you do so, however, you want to be sure that your vessel has the proper documentation. We can help there, too. At our site, you can find all of the different boat documentation that you may need throughout the course of owning your vessel. To see all that we offer, click through our site today.