The bearing of an object in relation to North. This is a special pennant flown to indicate the absence of a commanding officer, admiral, his chief of staff, or officer whose flag is flying (division, squadron, or flotilla commander). The hull section of a vessel above waterline, the visible part of a ship. On or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything. Referring to cargo being put, or laden, onto a means of transport. On or in a vessel (see also 'close aboard'). An AB may work as a watch-stander, a day worker, or a combination of these roles. The correct term, able seaman, remains in use in legal documents, in seaman's papers, and aboard ship.Īn Able Seaman (also AB) is an unlicensed member of the deck department of a merchant ship. Later the abbreviation began to be written as A.B., leading to the folk-etymological able-bodied seaman.
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Such an entry was likely to avoid confusion with ordinary seaman (OS). Able seaman was originally entered using the abbreviation AB instead of the more obvious AS in ships' muster books or articles. Some modern references claim that AB stands for able-bodied seaman as well as, or instead of, able seaman. On the beam, a relative bearing at right angles to the centerline of the ship's keel.
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A point beyond the mid-point of a ship's length, toward the stern relative to an object or point of reference ('abaft the fore hatch').įurther aft than the beam: a relative bearing of greater than 90 degrees from the bow: 'two points abaft the port beam'.Īn action wherein a shipper/consignee seeks authority to abandon all or parts of their cargo.Ī discount allowed for damage or overcharge in the payment of a bill.