Shipboard Terms and its Definition - (B)

Beam – the greatest width of the boat / Bearing – the direction of an object expressed either as a true bearing as shown on the chart, or as a bearing relative to the heading of the boat / Bilge – the interior of the hull below the floor boards
/ Boat – a fairly indefinite term. A waterborne vehicle smaller than a ship. One definition is a small craft carried aboard ship / Boat hook – a short shaft with a fitting at one end shaped to facilitate use in putting a line over a piling, recovering an object dropped overboard, or in pushing or fending off / Bow – the forward part of the boat / Bowline – a knot used to form a temporary loop in the end of the line / Bridge – the location from which a vessel is steered and is speed controlled. “Control station” is really a more appropriate term for small craft / Bulkhead – a vertical partition separating compartments / Buoy – an anchored float used for making a position on the water or a hazard or a shoal and for mooring

PERSONAL MUSTER CARD

Personal Muster Card - contains information which are useful to crew members in an emergency situation. The following are information in the Personal Muster Card:

Crew number, etc., General Emergency Alarm signal, Fire alarn signal, Abandon ship signal, Muster (assembly) station, Emergency duties.

MUSTER LIST

Muster list must be located in places where it can be easily seen. Muster list tells you the following:


WHO YOU ARE - Identifies all crews by name, number, rank, or a combination of both number and rank.

WHERE YOU GO - Identifies the muster stations (assembly stations) which are the designated places on the ship that personnel should go upon hearing the general emergency alarm signal.

WHAT TO DO - Either specific duties are assigned, such as preparations of boats, stairway guides etc., or crew will carry out duties as required - dependent on the nature of emergency.

ALARM SIGNALS

General Alarm - Consist of seven (7) or more short blast followed by one (1) long blast on the ship's whistle. (Instruction: Get ready)Boat Alarm - at least (7) short blast followed by one (1) long blast repeated on the ship's whistle. (Instruction: All to attend their station wearing life jacket)

Fire Alarm - Continous blast of the whistle for a period of not less than 10 seconds followed by continous ringing of the general alarm. (Instruction: All to attend their stations bringing along their assigned fire fighting equipment)
Man Over Board Alarm - the letter "O" sounded at least four times on the ship's whistle followed by the same signal sounded on the fire bells. (Instruction: rescue boat crew to muster station immediately carrying the immersion suit)

ABANDONING SHIP - The order to abandon ship is never given until the master judges it necessary. The ship is the safest survival craft, but if the ship's condition will put people's lives in great danger, abandoning it will be the best option.