Maritime Communication Phrases: Safety and Operations

Posted on Feb 16, 2025 in Maritime-Fishing

Essential Maritime Communication Phrases

FALLO (Technical Failure)

I am/MV is not under command. What problems do you have/does MV have? I have/MV has problems with engine(s)/steering gear/propeller. I am/MV is maneuvering with difficulty. Keep clear of me/MV. Navigate with caution. I require/MV requires tug assistance/escort. I try/MV tries to proceed without assistance.

HIELO (Ice)

I have/MV has damage above/below waterline. What kind of assistance is required? I require/MV requires tug assistance, ice-breaker/escort. I have/MV has stability problems/heavy icing. Can you proceed without assistance? Yes, I can proceed without assistance. No, I cannot.

ORDEN (Orders)

  • Midships: Rudder to be held in the fore and aft position.
  • Port/Starboard five: 5° of port/starboard rudder to be held.
  • Hard-a-port/starboard: Rudder to be held fully over to port/starboard.
  • Keep the buoy/mark/beacon on port side/starboard side.
  • Report if she does not answer the wheel.
  • (Port/Starboard engines) Full ahead/astern.
  • (Port/Starboard engines) Half ahead/astern.
  • (Port/Starboard engines) Slow ahead/astern.
  • (Port/Starboard engines) Dead slow ahead/astern.
  • Stop (port/starboard) engines.
  • Emergency full ahead/astern.
  • Stand by engine.
  • Finished with engines – no more maneuvering.

Sistema Prop (Propulsion System)

  • Is the engine a diesel or a turbine? The engine is a diesel/turbine.
  • Is the engine-room manned or is the engine on bridge control? The engine-room is manned. The engine is on bridge control.
  • How long does it take to change the engines from ahead to astern? It takes… seconds to change the engines (from ahead to astern).
  • How long does it take to start the engines from stopped? It takes… seconds to start the engines (from stopped).
  • Is extra power available in an emergency? Yes/No, extra power is available/is not available.
  • Do you have a controllable or fixed pitch propeller? We have a controllable pitch propeller. We have a fixed pitch propeller.
  • Do you have a right-hand or left-hand propeller? We have a right-hand/left-hand propeller.
  • Do you have a single propeller or twin propellers? We have a single propeller/twin propellers.
  • Do you have a bow thruster/stern thruster? We have one/two bow thruster(s)/stern thruster(s).
  • What is the maximum maneuvering power ahead/astern? The maximum maneuvering power ahead/astern is… kilowatts.
  • What are the maximum revolutions ahead/astern? The maximum revolutions ahead/astern are…
  • Do the twin propellers turn inward or outward when going ahead? The twin propellers turn inward/outward (when going ahead).

MANIO (Maneuvering)

I require the pilot card/maneuvering data. What is the diameter of the turning circle? The diameter of the turning circle is… meters. What is the advance and transfer distance in a crash-stop?

FONDEO (Anchoring)

Stand by port/starboard/both anchor(s) for letting go. Walk out the anchor(s). We are going to anchorage. We will let go port/starboard/both anchor(s). Put… shackles in the water/in the pipe/on deck. Walk back port/starboard/both anchor(s) one/one and a half shackle(s). We will let go port/starboard/both anchor(s)… shackle(s) and dredge it/them. Let go port/starboard/both anchor(s). Slack out the cable(s). Check the cable(s). Hold on the port/the starboard/both cable(s). How is the cable leading? The cable is leading ~ ahead/astern to port/to starboard. ~ round the bow. ~ up and down. How is the cable growing? The cable is slack/tight/coming tight. Is/Are the anchor(s) holding? Yes, the anchor(s) is/are holding. No, the anchor(s) is/are not holding. Is she brought up? Yes, she is brought up in position. No, she is not brought up (yet). Switch on the anchor light(s). Hoist the anchor ball. Check the anchor position by bearing/by… The anchor position is bearing… degrees, distance… kilometers/nautical miles to… Check the anchor position every… minutes. How much cable is out? … shackle(s) is/are out. Stand by for heaving up. Put the windlass in gear. The windlass is in gear. How is the cable leading? The cable is leading ~ ahead/astern. ~ to port/to starboard. ~ round the bow. ~ up and down. Heave up port/starboard/both cable(s). How much weight is on the cable? Much/Too much weight is on the cable. No weight is on the cable. Stop heaving. How many shackles are left (to come in)? … shackles are left (to come in). Attention! Turn in cable(s). The anchor(s) is/are aweigh. The cables are clear. The anchor(s) is/are clear of the water/home.

CALAGUIN (Draft)

What is your present maximum draft? My present maximum draft is… meters. My draft forward/aft is… meters. What is your air draft? My air draft is… meters.

BOTES (Lifeboats – Initial Checks)

Inform the Master/Chief Engineer/… Inform the… coast radio station/vessels in vicinity (on radio). We have grounded/a minor flooding/a minor fire in… All officers to report to the bridge. Watchkeepers remain at stations until further order. Check the launching tracks and report. Check the working parts and report. All working parts are free. All securings are in the correct position. Replace the harbor pin(s). Check the bilge pumps of the lifeboats and report. All lifeboat engines are operational. Check the drain plugs and report. All drain plugs are available. Check the slip gear in the lifeboats and report. All slip gear is in the correct position and secured. The launching appliances are operational. Hoist no… lifeboat(s). Check the liferafts and report. Secure the inflation cord.

EVACUA (Evacuation)

Evacuate engine room and report. Evacuate accommodation and report. Report missing persons/injured persons/casualties. Provide first aid (in the vessel’s hospital/at a safe place). All persons are outside the danger area.

LLAM GENE. (General Alarm – Assembly and Abandonment)

Report number of all persons/passengers/crew members at assembly stations. Search for missing passenger(s)/crew member(s) and report. Watchkeepers to assembly stations. Lifeboatmen! Check the equipment of the crew at assembly stations and report. ABANDONO (Abandon Ship): Swing out no… lifeboat(s) and report. Lower no… lifeboat(s) alongside the embarkation deck and report. Enter the lifeboat(s) (no…) and report. Enter the lifeboat(s)/liferaft(s) over the… deck. Jump into the water and enter the lifeboat(s)/liferaft(s). Jump into the liferaft(s) alongside the vessel. Do not push each other when entering. Assist injured/helpless persons. Clear the entrance of the lifeboat/liferaft. Let go no… lifeboat(s)/liferaft(s) and report. Stand clear of the vessel and report.

A Bordo BOTES (In the Lifeboats)

Stand by engine/pumps/lookout/entrance and report. Recover persons in water and report. Keep lookout for further persons in water. Provide first aid to injured persons. Secure injured/helpless persons. Let go sea anchor and report. Report the number of lifeboats/liferafts in sight. Contact the lifeboat(s)/liferaft(s) on radio and report. Give distress signals for identification. Fire rockets for identification. Use glasses/lamps/mirrors for identification. Give sound signals/… signals for identification. Set sail. Use oars. Join the other lifeboat(s)/liferaft(s). Connect the lifeboats/liferafts with lines and report.