AA: always afloat (in some ports the ship aground when approaching, or at berth.)

AAPA: american association of port authorities.

ABAFT: a point beyond the midpoint of a ships length, towards the rear or stern.

Abandon: a proceeding wherein a shipper/consignee seeks authority to abandon all or parts of their cargo.

Able seamen (AB): stands watch, during which he steers the vessel, stands lookout, assist the mate on watch and makes rounds of the ship to insure that all is in order. Also ties up and unties the vessel to and from the dock and maintains the equipment on deck.

Able:Bodied Seaman: a member of the deck crew who is able to perform all the duties of an experienced seaman; certificated by examination; must have three years sea service.

ABS: american bureau of shipping: a u.s.:based private classification, or standards setting society for merchant ships and other marine systems.

ACP: alternative compliance program.

Act of god: an extraordinary and unexpected natural event, such as a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or even the sudden death of a person. An act of god may be a defense against liability for injuries or damages. Under the law of contracts, an act of god often serves as a valid excuse if one of the parties to the contract is unable to fulfill his or her duties.

AD Valorem: a term from latin meaning, "according to value." 

Admeasurement: the confirmed or official dimensions of a ship.

Administrative law judge: a representative of a government commission or agency vested with power to administer oaths, examine witnesses, take testimony, and conduct hearings of cases submitted to, or initiated by, that agency.

Affreightment, contract of: an agreement by an ocean carrier to provide cargo space on a vessel at a specified time and for a specified price to accommodate an exporter or importer.

Aft: this means in, near, or toward the stern of the vessel.

Agency fee: a fee charged to the ship by the ship's agent, representing payment for services while the ship was in port. This may also be called an attendance fee.

Agency tariff: a tariff published by an agent on behalf of several carriers.

AID: agency for international development.

AIS: automatic identification system.

Allision: the act of striking or collision of a moving vessel against a stationary object.

Alongside: a phrase referring to the side of a ship. Goods delivered "alongside" are to be placed on the dock or barge within reach of the transport ship's tackle so that they can be loaded.

AMC: american maritime congress.

Amidships: generally speaking, the word amidships means in the middle portion of a vessel.

AMO: american maritime officers.

AMOS: american maritime officers service.

Answer: a defendant's written response to a plaintiff's initial court filing, called a complaint. An answer normally denies some or all facts asserted by the complaint and may sometimes include counterclaims of allegations or charges against the plaintiff. A defendant usually has 30 days to file an answer after being served with the plaintiff's complaint.

API: american petroleum institute.

APPS: the act to prevent pollution from ships.

ARA: american radio association.

Articles of agreement: the document containing all particulars relating to the terms of agreement between the master of the vessel and the crew. May also be called a ship's articles, shipping articles.

Astern: a backward direction in the line of a vessel's fore and aft line; behind. If a vessel moves backwards it is said to move astern; opposite to ahead.

At sea: in marine insurance this phrase applies to a ship which is free from its moorings and ready to sail.

Automatic pilot: an instrument designed to control automatically a vessel's steering gear so that it follows a pre-determined track through the water.

Awo: american waterway operators.