Pumpman and electrician: qualified members of the engine department (q.m.e.d.) trained in all crafts necessary to engine maintenance (welding, refrigeration, lathe operation, die casting, electricity, pumping, water purification, oiling, evaluating engine gauges, etc.) 

Pumpman (tankers): operates pumps and discharges petroleum products. Maintains and repairs all cargo handling equipment. 

P&I: protection and indemnity, an insurance term. 

Pallet: a flat tray, generally made of wood but occasionally of steel, on which goods particularly those in boxes, cartons or bags, can be stacked. Its purpose is to facilitate the movement of such goods, mainly by the use of forklift trucks. 

Panamax: a vessel designed to be just small enough to transit the panama canal.

Partial containerships: multipurpose containerships where one or more but not all compartments are fitted with permanent container cells. Remaining compartments are used for other types of cargo.

Passenger ship: a passenger ship that its authorized to carry over twelve passengers.

Per container rate: rates and/or changes on shipments transported in containers or trailers and rated on the basis of the category of the container or trailer.

Peremptory challenges: limited number of challenges each side in a trial can use to eliminate potential jurors without stating a reason. These challenges may not be used to keep members of a particular race or sex off the jury.

Personal floatation device: approved floats meant as life preservers and carried on board american ships.

Petition: a written application to the court asking for specific action to be taken. 

Pilot: a person who is qualified to assist the master of a ship to navigate when entering or leaving a port.

Pilotage: the act carried out by a pilot of assisting the master of a ship in navigation when entering or leaving a port. Pilotage is also sometimes used to define the fee payable for the services of a pilot.

Pilotage dues: a fee payable by the owner or operator of a ship for the services of a pilot. This fee is normally based on the ship's tonnage.

Pilot house: the enclosed space on the navigating bridge from which a ship is controlled when under way.

Plaintiff: the person who initiates a lawsuit. 

Pleadings: in a civil case, the allegations by each party of their claims and defenses.

Plimsoll mark: a series of horizontal lines, corresponding to the seasons of the year in fresh or saltwater, painted on the outside of a ship marking the level which must remain above the surface of the water for the vessel's stability.

Preponderance of the evidence: the level of proof required to prevail in most civil cases. The judge or jury must be persuaded that the facts are more probably one way (the plaintiff's way) than another (the defendant's). 

Pooling: the sharing of cargo or the profit or loss from freight by member lines of a liner conference. Pooling arrangements do not exist in all conferences.

Port of call: port where a ship discharges or receives traffic.

Port state control: the inspection of foreign ships in national ports for the purpose of verifying that the condition of a ship and its equipment comply with the requirements of international conventions and that the vessel is manned and operated in compliance with applicable international law.

Prima facie: latin for "at first view." refers to the minimum amount of evidence a plaintiff must have to avoid having a case dismissed. It is said that the plaintiff must make a prima facie case.

Privileged communication: conversation that takes places within the context of a protected relationship, such as that between an attorney and client, a husband and wife, a priest and penitent, and a doctor and patient. The law often protects against forced disclosure of such conversations. 

Product carrier: a tanker, which is generally below 70,000 deadweight tons and used to carry refined oil products from the refinery to the consumer. In many cases, four different grades of oil can be handled simultaneously.

Propane carrier: a ship designed to carry propane in liquid form. The propane is carried in tanks within the holds; it remains in liquid form by means of 
pressure and refrigeration. Such ships are also suitable for the carriage of butane.

Protective order: in litigation, an order that prevents the disclosure of sensitive information except to certain individuals under certain conditions. 

Pumpman: a rating who tends to the pumps of an oil tanker. 

Purser: a ship's officer who is in charge of accounts, especially on a passenger ship.

PVSA: passenger vessel services act.