Maritime Legal Glossary: F

FAK: freight all kinds, usually referring to full container loads of mixed shipments. 

FAS: free along side of ship.

FCL: full container load.

Feeder: a grain container or reservoir constructed around the hatchway between two decks of a ship which when filled with grain automatically feeds or fills in the vacant areas in the lower holds.

Feeder service: cargo to/from regional ports are transferred to/from a central hub port for a long-haul ocean voyage.

Feeder vessel: a short-sea vessel which transfers cargo between a central hub port and smaller "spoke" ports. 

FEU: forty foot equivalent units (containers). 

Fiduciary duty: an obligation to act in the best interest of another party. For instance, a corporation's board member has a fiduciary duty to the shareholders, a trustee has a fiduciary duty to the trust's beneficiaries, and an attorney has a fiduciary duty to a client.

FIO: free in and out.

Fireman: an unlicensed member of the engine, room staff whose duties consist of standing watch in the boiler room and insuring the oil burning equipment is working properly.

First assistant engineer: in charge of four to eight watch. Usually works from eight to four handling engine maintenance. This individual assigns duties to unlicensed personnel and monitors and records overtime. They also consult with the chief regarding work priorities.

First mate (chief mate): directly responsible for all deck operations (cargo storage and handling, deck maintenance deck supplies). Assigns and checks deck department overtime; ship's medical officer.

Flags of convenience: the registration of ships in a country whose tax on the profits of trading ships is low or whose requirements concerning manning or maintenance are not stringent. Sometimes referred to as flags of necessity; denotes registration of vessels in foreign nations that offer favorable tax structures and regulations; also the flag representing the nation under whose jurisdiction a ship is registered. Ships are always registered under the laws of one nation but are not always required to establish their home location in that country.

Floating oil storage: this means oil which is stored on floating vessels. It has been the practice for oil to be stored in large laid-up oil tankers in order to offset the loss involved while the tankers are inactive.

FMC: federal maritime commission.

F.O.B: free on board: export term in which the price quoted by the exporter does not include the costs of ocean transportation, but does include loading on board the vessel.

FOC: flag of convenience.

Force majeure: the title of a common clause in contracts, exempting the parties for non-fulfillment of their obligations as a result of conditions beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods or war.

Fore and aft: the direction on a vessel parallel to the center line. 

Forecastle: the raised part of the forward end of a ship's hull. The inside space may be used for crew accommodation or quarters, though on new ships this space is being used for the storage of paints, tackle, deck and engine stores, tarpaulins, etc.

Forward: the forward is at, or in the direction of the bow; also the fore part of the ship.

Foreseeability: a key issue in determining a person's liability. If a defendant could not reasonably have foreseen that someone might be hurt by his or her actions, then there may be no liability. 

Free in and out (FIO): cost of loading and unloading a vessel is borne by the charterer/shipper. 

Freight: refers to either the cargo carried or the charges assessed for carriage of the cargo. 

Freight forwarder: arranges shipments for customers usually break bulk. Does not actually carry the cargo or conduct business for the ship.

Freighters: breakbulk vessels both refrigerated and un-refrigerated, containerships, partial containerships, roll-on/roll-off vessels, and barge carriers.

Freight rate: the charge made for the transportation of freight.

Full containerships: ships equipped with permanent container cells, with little or no space for other types of cargo.