Slang words use in the maritime Industry
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AB – Able Seaman (experienced deck rating)
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OS – Ordinary Seaman (entry-level deck crew)
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Sparks – Electrician / ETO
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Chief – Chief Engineer (often just called “Chief”)
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Skipper – Captain/Master
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Old Man – Informal term for the Captain
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Mate – Deck officer (e.g., Chief Mate, 2nd Mate)
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Second – Second Engineer or Second Mate
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Greenie – New/inexperienced crew member
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Cadet – Trainee officer (often used jokingly too)
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Galley – Kitchen (standard term but used casually)
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Scran – Food (common UK/SA slang onboard)
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Mess – Dining area
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Heads – Toilets
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Rack – Bed/bunk
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Hit the rack – Go to sleep
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Graveyard Watch – Midnight watch (00–04)
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Dog Watch – Short evening watches (16–20 split)
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On the cans – On watch (engine room monitoring)
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Hand steering – Manual steering (not autopilot)
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Autopilot’s driving – Ship steering automatically
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Blackout – Total loss of power
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Dead ship – No power at all
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Full ahead – Maximum propulsion
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Crash stop – Emergency stop
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Balls to the wall – Full speed / maximum effort
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Chipping gang – Crew doing rust removal
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Rust bucket – Old poorly maintained ship
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Floating hotel – Cruise ship / luxury vessel
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Tin can – Small vessel
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Heavy weather – Rough sea conditions
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Calm seas, bored crew – Self-explanatory joke
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Swinging the lead – Avoiding work
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Skiving – Slacking off
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Gash – Garbage/waste
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Slops – Food waste
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Splice the mainbrace – Have a drink (old naval slang)
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Pipe down – Go quiet / go to sleep
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All hands on deck – Everyone required
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Secure – Finish work / shut down operation
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Stand by – Be ready
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Knock off – Stop work
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Turn to – Start working
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Give us a shout – Call me / inform me
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Taking a pounding – Ship hitting heavy seas
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Green water – Waves coming over deck
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Roller coaster – Vessel rolling heavily
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Paper captain – Someone qualified but inexperienced
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Sea time chaser – Someone only focused on building sea time
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Company man – Someone who always sides with management