The United States Coast Guard only recently began regulating the towing industry.
The Coast Guard's rule to establish formal inspections of towing vessels, referred to as Subchapter M, was published in July 2016. Its publication provided the framework for the safe operation and administration of towing vessels. Subchapter M was implemented in the industry in July 2018.
The application of Subchapter M hasn't been without controversy. Some barge operators say they are unable to sustain the costs of complying with the Subchapter M regulations. Still, many view the implementation as a necessity to ensure safety in maritime operations.
Regardless of differing viewpoints, there is now one regulating agency with clear and concise rules and regulations. One part of Subchapter M is the standardization of language used in the towing industry.
According to the Coast Guard, the history of the towing industry is one based on regional areas where local jargon was incorporated into everyday operations. Regional differences in language presented a challenge to navigating officers who were unfamiliar with the localized terminology. So, the Coast Guard published a 66-page collection of standardized towing terms.
Promising to improve safety and communication for both industry and regulatory agencies, the appendix spans everything from "Accommodation" to "Z- Drive Propulsion". Below we've listed a sample of Subchapter M compliant towing industry terminology for your reference. Scroll down for the complete list:
Abrasion Resistance: material's ability to resist exterior damage due to frictional contact.
Advance: distance gained in the direction of the original course when turning a ship, measured from the point at which the rudder is put over to the point where the ship has changed heading 90 degrees.
After Deck: aft of amidships portion of a vessel.
Anchor Shackle: AU-shaped fitting with pin.
Assistant Engineer: A qualified officer in the engine department.
Assistant Engineer for National Endorsements: A qualified officer in the engine department other than the chief engineer.
Authorized Official: Includes, but is not limited to, a Federal, State or local law enforcement officer.
Bail: The part of a pelican hook or chain stopper that holds the hook closed.
Ballast: The weight added to a ship or boat to ensure stability; primarily water.
Bear Down: To approach the target.
Beaufort No.: A numerical value (from Oto 12) used for rating wind velocity, in ascending strength.
Bight: A loop in a line.
Bilge: Lowest extremity of the engine room.
Bow Thruster: A propulsor at the bow of the ship, which aids in moving the bow sideways.
Bow Winch: A basic bow winch that stores, pays out, and heaves in bow lines.
Bowline: A classic knot that forms a loop that will not slip or become tighter under tension.
Breakwater: Structure that shelters a port or anchorage from the sea.
Broach: To be turned broadside to surf or heavy sea.
Bulbous Bows: An extension of the bow of a ship below the water line that is designed to reduce wave drag.
Cargo: Any goods or merchandise shipped in domestic or international trade, excluding provisions and stores aboard the carrying vessel
Cargo Vessel: Any vessel that is not a passenger vessel carrying cargo.
Catenary: The downward curve or sag of a rope, wire, or chain suspended between two points
Center of Gravity (CG): The point in a ship where the sum of all forces and moments of weight is zeroClip, Wire: Fitting for clamping two parts of wire rope to each other.
Coaming: Vertical plating built around a hatchway to prevent downward flooding.
COLREG: U.S. Coast Guard Rules of the Road.
Commercial Communications: Communications between coast stations and ship stations aboard commercial transport vessels, or between ship stations aboard commercial transport vessels, which relate directly to the purposes for which the ship is used including the piloting of vessels, movements of vessels, obtaining vessel supplies, and scheduling of repairs.
Compartment: Room or space onboard ship.
Competent Authority: Designated authority that receives SSAS alerts from ships and informs the administration of the appropriate flag State.
Compressed Natural Gas: Natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4) that has been (CNG) compressed to a pressure typically in the range of 2900-3600 psi (200-248 bar) for ease of storage or transport.
Constructional Stretch: The elongation of a wire rope caused by a virgin rope's helical strands constricting the core during initial loading. This property is no longer exhibited after several loadings.