English for Maritime

Maritime English, also known as Standard Maritime Communication Phrases (SMCP), is the lingua franca at sea so to speak, and is vitally important for a multitude of reasons; the safety of the crew, the efficiency of daily tasks and the integrity of the ship.

By having specific terms to follow, Maritime English rules out any confusion that would arise if normal terms that are used in day-to-day life were to be uttered. For instance, left and right can be rather ambiguous demands for direction, if the captain and a crew member are at different areas of the ship.