During mooring and anchoring, communication between the bridge and the forward and aft stations must be short and clear. These phrases are widely used.
Mooring phrases
| Phrase | Plain-English meaning | |---|---| | Stand by mooring lines. | Be ready to handle the lines. | | Send a heaving line. | Throw the light line ashore first. | | Heave away. | Pull the line in / take it up. | | Heave in. | Take in the slack. | | Hold on. | Keep the line tight; do not let it go. | | Slack away. | Let the line out. | | Check. | Hold it a little; let it out slowly, under control. | | Make fast. | Secure the line. | | Single up. | Reduce to one line each. | | Let go. | Release the line. | | All gone forward / aft. | All lines forward / aft are released. | | All fast forward / aft. | All lines forward / aft are secured. |
Anchoring phrases
| Phrase | Plain-English meaning | |---|---| | Stand by anchor. | Get ready to use the anchor. | | Walk out anchor. | Lower the anchor with the windlass engaged. | | Let go anchor. | Release the anchor. | | How much cable is out? | How many shackles are in the water? | | Anchor is holding. | The anchor is fixed and the ship is not moving. | | Anchor is dragging. | The anchor is not holding; the ship is drifting. | | Heave up anchor. | Bring the anchor up. | | Anchor is aweigh. | The anchor has just left the seabed. | | Anchor is clear of the water. | The anchor is out of the water. |
Safety reminder
Never stand in a snap-back zone. Repeat commands when you hear them, and say "Say again" when you do not understand.
Commands vary slightly by ship and crew. Ask the bosun or Chief Officer on your first day.