Maritime Signal Flags

SEABEE
Sea-barge, a barge carrier design similar to "LASH" but which uses rollers to move the barges aboard the ship; the self-propelled loaded barges are themselves loaded on board as cargo and are considerably larger than those loaded on LASH ships.

SEA TRIALS
A series of trials conducted by the builders during which the owner's representatives on board act in a consulting and checking capacity to determine if the vessel has met the specifications.

SEA WORTHINESS
The sufficiency of a vessel in materials construction, equipment, crew and outfit for the trade in which it is employed. Any sort of disrepair to the vessel by which the cargo may suffer -- overloading, untrained officers, etc., may constitute a vessel unseaworthy.

SEAWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE
A certificate issued by a classification society surveyor to allow a vessel to proceed after she has met with a mishap that may have affected its seaworthiness. It is frequently issued to enable a vessel to proceed, after temporary repairs have been effected, to another port where permanent repairs are then carried out.

SELF-SUSTAINING SHIP
A containership which has her own crane for loading and discharging shipping containers enabling the ship to serve ports which do not have suitable lifting equipment.

SELF-TRIMMING SHIP
A ship whose holds re shaped in such a way that the cargo levels itself.

SELF-UNLOADER
A bulk carrier which is equipped with gear for unloading cargo.

SHIFTING
This refers to movements or changing positions of cargo from one place to another. This can easily endanger the seaworthiness or cargoworthiness of the ship.

SHIP'S ARTICLES
A written agreement between the master of a ship and the crew concerning their employment. It includes rates of pay and capacity of each crewman, the date of commencement of the voyage and its duration.

SHIP'S STABILITY
The seaworthiness of a ship regarding the centrifugal force which enables her to remain upright.

SHIP'S AGENT
A person or firm who transacts all business in a port on behalf of shipowners or charterers. Also called shipping agent; agent.

SHIPPERS
Individuals or businesses who purchase transportation services or commodities.

SHIPPER'S COUNCIL
An organization of shippers formed to collectively and services with the conferences of ship operators.

SHORT TON
2,000 pounds.

SISTER SHIPS
Ships built on the same design.

SIU
Seafarers International Union.

SLOP TANK
A tank in a tanker into which slops are pumped. These represent a residue of the ship's cargo of oil together with the water used to clean the cargo tanks. They are left to separate out in the slop tank.

SOFT CURRENCY
Currency which is not fully convertible to all currencies but only to some other soft currencies.

SOLAS
Safety of Life a Sea Convention

SPOT (VOYAGE)
A charter for a particular vessel to move a single cargo between specified loading port(s) and discharge port(s) in the immediate future. Contract rate ("spot" rate) covers total operating expenses, i.e., bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, crew's wages and food, insurance and repairs. Cargo owner absorbs, in addition, any expenses specifically levied against the cargo.

S.S.
Steamship.

S/T
Short tons (2,000 lbs.).

STARBOARD
The right-hand side of a ship when facing the front or forward end. The starboard side of a ship during darkness is indicated by a green light.

STATION BILL
A list which shows the vessel's complement and details their various duties in connection with fire and boat drills.

STERN
(Noun) The upright post or bar of the bow of a vessel.

STERNWAY
The reverse movement of a vessel.

STORE
A general term for provisions, materials and supplies used aboard ship for the maintenance of the crew, and for the navigation, propulsion and upkeep of the vessel and its equipment.

STOWAGE
The placing of goods in a ship in such a way as to ensure the safety and stability of the ship not only on a sea or ocean passage but also in between ports when parts of the cargo have been loaded or discharged.

STRANDING
The running of a ship on shore on a beach.