Complete Glossary of
Marine Terms & Abbreviations
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
D
Delivery. Delivered
DAMAGED VALUE
The actual value on arrival at destination. On hulls this is the value without any repairs taken into account. On cargo the value may be gross or net. Gross damaged value is the value of the damaged cargo after all the landing charges have been paid. Net damaged value is the value before all the landing charges have been paid.
Claims are calculated on cargo by comparing the sound and damaged gross values.
DANDO
Directors' and Officers Liability (U.S.)
Data Logger
Electronic temperature recording device for refrigerated containers.
Davits
On board cranes for hoisting boats or tenders
Davy Jones' Locker
the bottom of the sea.
There are three possible explanations for this term:
- Davy Jones was possibly a notorious pirate, given to putting his victims over the side
- In early African American slang in southern USA, a 'duffy' or 'davy' is a ghost, and 'Jones' means 'Jonah'
- The Hindu goddess of death is called Deva Lokka, close to "Devil's Locker", and then further changed by European sailors to Davy Jones' locker
Dd
Delivered
Dead Freight
Freight rate which is paid on empty space in a vessel when the charterer is responsible for the freight rate of a full cargo. It should be paid before sailing.
Dead reckoning
calculating the position of a vessel from the course steered and the distance run
Deadweight Tonnage
Technically, the term refers to the actual weight of cargo, fuel and stores required to bring the ship down to her loadline marks.
In marine insurance practice, the term refers to the dimensions of a ship used for the purpose of calculating the premium for a hull & machinery policy on full conditions.
Deals (of Timber)
Lengths of timber between 5ft. and 3ft. in length and between 2 inches and 9 inches thick.
Deck Log
Ship's log recording general details concerning the running of the ship, including accidents concerned with ship or cargo.
Deckhead
underside of a deck; nautical term for ceiling
Declaration
Form used by insured in reporting shipments under an Open Cargo Policy when no evidence of insurance is required.
Declivity
The angle of the launching ways at a shipyard.
Deductible
A specific dollar amount, or percentage of the insured value, which will be deducted from all losses recoverable under a policy.
DEFEASIBLE INTEREST
A cargo insurable interest that ceases during the transit of goods.
Deferred Account
A system allowing the shipowner to pay his annual premium by instalments.
Def.
Deferred
Delivery Order
A document authorising delivery to a nominated party of goods in the care of a third party. Can be issued by a Carrier on surrender of a Bill of Lading and then used by Merchant to transfer title by endorsement.
DEMISE CHARTERPARTY
A demise or 'bareboat' charter party arises when the charterer is responsible for providing the cargo and crew, whilst the shipowner merely provides the vessel. In consequence, the charterer appoints the crew, thus taking over full responsibility for the operation of the vessel, and pays all expenses incurred. A demise charter party is for a period of time which may vary from a few weeks to several years.
DEMURRAGE
The sum agreed by charter to be paid as damages for delay beyond the stipulated time for loading or discharging. It should be collected daily by the master or agent.
The term is sometimes used in hull insurance practice to refer to loss of hire money.
Deposit Receipt
A receipt given in respect of a general average deposit payment.
DEPRECIATION
Is loss in value. A percentage of depreciation is assessed in respect of cargo damage to apply to the insured value to ascertain a claim ( see "arrived sound value/arrived damaged value"). With hull insurance when a vessel is unrepaired at the expiry of the hull policy a reasonable allowance is given under the policy for depreciation by reason of the unrepaired damage, but not exceeding the reasonable cost of repairs had they been carried out at the proper time.
Derelict
A vessel that has been abandoned by the crew but has not sunk.
DETENTION
Where demurrage is paid for an agreed number of days, any further delay is termed "detention", in respect of which the shipowner can claim unlimited damages.
Detention or Restraint
Is a prevention during the currency of the risk of the prosecution of the insured transit, the owner of the property not necessarily being deprived of ownership. For the liability of cargo underwriters, there appears to be no distinction between an arrest or embargo by a home or foreign government. An embargo in this context is where the insured is not deprived by a superior authority of possession of property but the property is detained.
DETERIORATION
Loss of quality without the help of an outside agency. Since this is not a fortuity it is not embraced by the term "risk", so deterioration is not covered by an "all risks" policy unless it is specifically included.
Deviation - of a ship's compass
(Of a compass) - compass error caused by magnetism of the vessel
Deviation - Ship
A deviation occurs when a ship is on a voyage and departs from the customary or designated route with the intention of returning to that route to complete the voyage. A cargo policy that is subject to the Institute Cargo Clauses is not affected by deviation. In the case of a hull voyage policy deviation discharges the underwriter from all liability as from the time the vessel leaves the stated or customary course, except where the deviation is excused by s.49 of the MIA, 1906, or the insured gives the underwriter immediate notice of the deviation upon receipt of advices, agrees to any amended terms of cover required and pays an additional premium, if required.
Direct or Held Covered
A condition which requires the insured voyage to be direct from one place to another. If the voyage is delayed en route or if there is a deviation from the direct route, the insurance coverage continues subject to payment of an addi¬tional premium, but only if the insured gives prompt notice of the delay or deviation immediately on receipt of advices, unless the policy provides otherwise.
Disbursements
Expenses incurred by the shipowner in connection with running a ship.
Disbursements Clause
A clause in a policy covering hull and machinery of a ship, which incorporates a warranty prohibiting the insured from effecting additional insurances to include total loss of the ship, other than those listed in the clause. Breach of this warranty is not held covered, and discharges the underwriter from all liability under the hull and machinery policy as from the date of breach of warranty. The clause permits a maximum amount that may be insured in respect of 'disbursements', 'increased value', 'anticipated freight', etc. without breach of warranty taking place.
Disclosure
The duty of the insured and his broker to tell the underwriter every material circumstance before acceptance of the risk.
Displacement Tonnage
This term is chiefly used when referring to warships and other non-cargo carrying vessels. It is the actual weight of water displaced by the vessel when floating at her loaded draught.
Dock Receipt
A form issued by a carrier or his representative as evidence that merchandise was in fact received by the carrier for shipment. Often referred to as a Re¬ceived for Shipment Bill of Lading.
Documents of Title
Documents produced by a consignee as evidence of right to take delivery of goods (eg Bill of Lading).
Dog
A cleat or device for securing water-tight openings
Dog watch
The two-hour watches from 1600-1800 and 1800-2000. i.e. the division of the usual four hours' watch, to make a change of watches; from 4 to 6 and 6 to 8pm.
Door to Door
Refers to merchandise shipped in containers, trailers or vans from the origi¬nal point of manufacture to the final destination. Same as House to House.
Down helm
an order to the helmsman to put the tiller 'down' i.e. away from the wind
Downhaul
a rope pulling downwards on a sail vessel, usually on the tack of a sail
Draught
The depth of a vessel beneath the water, to the lowest part of the hull
Drawback
Repayment of duty upon re-exportation of goods previously imported.
Drogue
a form of sea-anchor, used on boats, lifeboats and lifebuoys
Dumb Barge
A barge that has no means of propulsion.
Dumping
Dumping is evidenced by the sale of imported goods on a foreign market at a price lower than that at which the good is being offered for sale on its own local market. Dumping has the potential to cause serious and unnecessary injury to local industries and is regarded as a source of unfair competition, particularly by the government of the importing country which is under political pressure from local industries.
D. & O.
Directors and Officers
D.C.
Direct costs
D.I.C.
Difference in conditions
D.I.P.
Difference in perils
D.N.O.
Debit note only
D.O.L.
Dock owner's liability or Date of Loss
D.R.C.
Damage received in collision
D.S.D.
Documentary sight draft
D.S.I.
Daily sum insured
D.T.B.A.
Date to be advised
D.V.
Declared value
D/A
Deductible average
D/C
Deviation Clause
D/D
Damage done
D/N
Debit note
D/V
Dual valuation
D/w
Deadweight