Glossary of Marine Terms
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damages
as defined by section 1001 of the OPA means damages specified in section 1002(b) of the Act, and includes the cost of assessing these damages.
daymark
a marker used as an aid to navigation and which is visible in daylight.
deadman
an object, such as an anchor, piling, or concrete block, buried on shore.
deadrise
the upward slope of a vessel’s bottom occurring when the centerline is deeper than the bilge knuckle; provided to facilitate removal of liquid cargo.
deadweight tonnage
the cargo capacity of a vessel.
decarburization
the loss of carbon from the surface of a ferrous alloy. decarburization is a common surface condition of hot rolled steel and is produced during the heating and rolling operations when atmospheric oxygen reacts with the heated surface removing carbon.
deck button
a round, steel fitting affixed to a vessel’s deck, designed to secure or guide cables for making up barge tows.
deck lashing strap
a steel deck fitting normally used as an attachment for cargo tie down lines.
“dedicated” tow
movement of barge(s) between two points by the use of a boat exclusively assigned to that movement (contrast with “tramp” tow). A “dedicated” boat offers greater control of barge movements than a “tramp” tow, but generally at a higher cost.
demurrage
a charge assessed for detaining a vessel beyond the free time stipulated for loading or unloading.
detention
the period of time that an owner or charterer is deprived of the use of his vessel as a result of actions of another party.
discharge
as defined by section 311(a)(2) of the CWA, includes, but is not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping of oil, but excludes discharges in compliance with a permit under section 402 of the CWA, discharges resulting from circumstances identified and reviewed and made a part of the public record with respect to a permit issued or modified under section 402 of the CWA, and subject to a condition in such permit, or continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a point source, identified in a permit or permit application under section 402 of the CWA, that are caused by events occurring within the scope of relevant operating or treatment systems. For purposes of the NCP, discharge also means substantial threat of discharge.
dispersants
means those chemical agents that emulsify, disperse, or solubilize oil into the water column or promote the surface spreading of oil slicks to facilitate dispersal of the oil into the water column.
docking tug
a tugboat which assists a large seagoing vessel to and from its berth.
documentationbr>
the process of licensing a vessel in either enrollment or registry, resulting in the issuance of a vessel’s official document.
dolphin
a cluster of piles driven into the bottom of a waterway and bound firmly together for the mooring of vessels.
doubler
a steel plate installed on an existing structural plate and used as a strengthening base for deck fittings or as a repair of a damaged area.
draft
the depth of a vessel’s keel below the waterline; often expressed as light draft, or conversely, loaded draft.
draft marks
the numerical markings on the sides of a vessel at the bow and stern, which indicate, at the lower edge of the number, the amount of water the vessel draws.
drip pan
an open container, located on deck under the ends of a pipeline header to retain cargo drippage. Required on all U.S.C.G. certified tank barges.
drydocking
the removal of a vessel from the water to accomplish repairs or inspections.
dumb vessel
a vessel without means of self-propulsion.
dunnage
any materials used to block or brace cargo to prevent its motion, chafing, or damage and to facilitate its handling.
