Glossary of maritime terminology

In maritime terminology, ECDIS stands for Electronic Chart Display and Information System. Found on the bridge of a vessel, it replaces, or is used in conjunction with, traditional nautical maps. The ECDIS provides digital navigational information so that seafarers can plan their routes more safely and efficiently and also monitor their surroundings and position.

Echo stands for the letter E in the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, which is most often referred to as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet or simply the Phonetic Alphabet. This is the most commonly used group of code words used to clearly communicate the letters of the Roman alphabet, particularly over the radio and is essential in helping seafarers give and receive messages, orders and instructions clearly and correctly.

An echo sounder on a boat or ship is an instrument that is used to ascertain how deep the water is under the vessel’s keel. It does this by transmitting pulses of sound which bounce - or echo - off the sea bed, similar to the way sonar works.

The difference between an echo sounder and sonar, however, is that echo sounders transmit their pulse vertically while sonar transmits its pulse horizontally. There are two types of echo sounder: the single beam echo-sounder and the multi beam echo-sounder. 

CR stands for Engine Control Room. On a ship this is the heart of the engine department. The engine department consists of two main areas; the engine room, and the engine control room. The latter is where the vessel’s engineers monitor and operate the many systems that enable the ship to function.

EEBD stands for emergency escape breathing device. Found on a ship, this is a life saving appliance that is used when a crew member needs to quickly escape from an area in which hazardous or contaminated conditions - for example, poisonous gasses, fire and/or smoke - are present. The emergency escape breathing device consists of a self-contained compressed air cylinder which provides 15 minutes of time via its 600 liters of air.

Accommodation areas on all vessels are meant to carry a minimum of two EEBD, while the quantity in areas such as engine and machinery rooms depends on the number of people who typically work there, as well as the layout of the space. 

An Electrical Cadet is someone undergoing a cadetship with the goal of learning how to maintain and repair the electrical and electronic equipment and machinery onboard a vessel. A cadetship involves time spent in the classroom as well as practical on-the-job training at sea.

An Electro-Technical Cadet is someone undergoing a cadetship with the goal of learning how to maintain and repair the electrical and electronic equipment and machinery onboard a vessel. A cadetship involves time spent in the classroom as well as practical on-the-job training at sea. The goal of an ETO Cadet / Electro-Technical Cadet is to progress through the Seafarer Ranks to become an ETO / Electro-Technical Officer

An Electro-Technical Officer or ETO as it is usually shortened to, is one of the newer Seafarer Ranks and they are responsible for ensuring that all of the electrical and electronic equipment onboard are monitored and maintained to ensure the safe and efficient running of the vessel. The advancement in electrical and electronic equipment has meant that specialist crew members are required to take care of it - the ETO in other words.

An electromagnetic speed log, or EM log, is an instrument used to measure the speed of a vessel through the water.  It works on the principles of Faraday’s law of induction and Maxwell’s equations. What this means is that when a conductor (e.g. water) passes through an electromagnetic field, it creates a voltage. The voltage amount increases in conjunction with the speed of the conductor.

The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS for short) is found on the bridge of a vessel. It replaces, or is used in conjunction with, traditional nautical maps. The ECDIS provides digital navigational information so that seafarers can plan their routes more safely and efficiently and also monitor their surroundings and position.

An Electronic Nautical Chart (ENC), also referred to as an Electronic Navigational Chart or Vector Chart is a data set that provides ships with information, including real time information. This information can then be displayed on the screen of the vessel's Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). It helps navigators determine their position, be aware of any hazards, and plot their route more efficiently and safely.

An Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC), also referred to as an Electronic Nautical Chart or Vector Chart is a data set that provides ships with information, including real time information. This information can then be displayed on the screen of the vessel's Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). It helps navigators determine their position, be aware of any hazards, and plot their route more efficiently and safely.

An EM log, or electromagnetic speed log, is an instrument used to measure the speed of a vessel through the water.  It works on the principles of Faraday’s law of induction and Maxwell’s equations. What this means is that when a conductor (e.g. water) passes through an electromagnetic field, it creates a voltage. The voltage amount increases in conjunction with the speed of the conductor.

The emergency air compressor on a ship’s jobs are to fill up the main air receiver in the event that the main air compressor has failed to do so and to start the auxiliary engine in the event of an emergency. These compressors may be powered by an engine or by a motor. If it’s the latter, the power should come from a source only used in emergencies.

An emergency escape breathing device (EEBD) on a ship is a life saving appliance that is used when a crew member needs to quickly escape from an area in which hazardous or contaminated conditions - for example, poisonous gasses, fire and/or smoke - are present. The emergency escape breathing device consists of a self-contained compressed air cylinder which provides 15 minutes of time via its 600 liters of air.

Accommodation areas on all vessels are meant to carry a minimum of two EEBD, while the quantity in areas such as engine and machinery rooms depends on the number of people who typically work there, as well as the layout of the space. 

A vessel’s emergency generator provides backup power in the event that the main generators fail. The generator will kick in if the ship has suffered a total blackout. On smaller boats the emergency generator will only need a few kilowatts so enable it to provide emergency lighting although on bigger vessels, such as cruise ships, tankers and container ships, they may need hundreds of kW to restart the main engine auxiliaries, to supply fire fighting pumps and to power the lighting.

An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is equipment used to alert search and rescue services (SAR) in the event that an emergency occurs at sea. It is essentially a tracking device that transmits a signal on a specified band so that rescuers are able to determine the location of a lifeboat, life raft or vessel in distress.

The emergency switchboard on a ship takes over the distribution of electrical energy throughout the vessel in the event that the main switchboard has failed.

ENC stands for Electronic Nautical Chart or Electronic Navigational Chart. These are also sometimes referred to as a Vector Chart. These are data sets that provides ships with information, including real time information. This information can then be displayed on the screen of the vessel's Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). It helps navigators determine their position, be aware of any hazards, and plot their route more efficiently and safely.

The engine on a ship refers to any engine that is constructed to supply propulsion power regardless of whether the propulsion system is geared drive, direct-drive, or diesel electric. This engine may be an internal combustion engine or a compression-ignition engine, with the majority of vessels using diesel.

Large ships, such as container ships and cruise ships don’t just have the one engine but will instead operate with two, four or even six engines. This means that the ship’s engine room can be vast in size, even spanning the height of several decks.

An Engine Cadet on a ship is an apprentice, or trainee, seafarer who is at the very start of his or her career in the maritime industry. They are simultaneously onboard to work and to learn so that they can progress through the various seafarer ranks found in the engine room of a vessel.

The Engine Control Room (ECR) on a ship is the heart of the engine department. The engine department consists of two main areas; the engine room, and the engine control room. The latter is where the vessel’s engineers monitor and operate the many systems that enable the ship to function.

The engine room on a ship is usually the largest space on the vessel and typically consists of three platforms: the top, middle, and bottom. The vessel's primary propulsion system i.e. the engine, is housed there. Engine rooms are vast and can often span several decks.

The upper platform includes spare components for the main engine, pumps, auxiliary machinery, vessel operation, and numerous tanks and other equipment.

Pumps like the primary engine booster pump and the fresh water condenser pump are located on the middle platform. Auxiliary machinery such as air compressors, dehumidifiers, and purifiers may also be located on this platform. On the bottom platform, on most ships, you will find the primary seawater, sludge, refrigerator, and other pumps.

The engine room crane is, unsurprisingly, located in the engine room of a ship. It is used to lift or lower both the main engine as well as other heavy parts or machinery in the event that they need to be repaired, maintained or replaced.

EPIRB stands for Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. It is equipment used to alert search and rescue services (SAR) in the event that an emergency occurs at sea. Essentially EPIRB is a tracking device that transmits a signal on a specified band so that rescuers are able to determine the location of a lifeboat, life raft or vessel in distress.

ETLP is an abbreviation of extended tension leg platform. This is a floating structure that is vertically moored to the seabed by steel tethers connected to driven piles. The ETLP is used both for oil and gas exploration and production.

The evacuation system on a ship falls under the category of life saving appliances and is commonly found on many vessels that carry passengers - such as ferries and cruise ships. The system consists of an inflatable escape chute or slide which enables fast and safe evacuation to the ship’s life rafts waiting in the water below.

Even keel is the maritime term used to describe it when the draft (the depth of a loaded ship in the water) of a vessel’s fore and aft are equal.

In shipping terms, an Excavator Driver, AB-Excavator Driver, or Excavator Operator on a ship is very similar to their shore-based counterparts in that their main duty is to safely and efficiently operate plant machinery. The main difference being is that an excavator on a ship is located on the deck and used for cargo operations, salvage operations and dredging.

 An exposure suit (also called an anti-exposure suit) is a garment designed to protect the wearer from an extreme environment. For example, from wet and cold environments found at sea, specifically in evacuation or rescue operations, or in diving. Depending on the type of suit and the situation it has been designed for, the garment may provide buoyancy, total isolation from the environment, or thermal insulation.  

The extended tension leg platform - often abbreviated to ETLP - is a floating structure that is vertically moored to the seabed by steel tethers connected to driven piles. The extended tension leg platform is used both for oil and gas exploration and production.