Your cart is empty.
Keep shoppingMaritime English for Seafarers PART 2
11 students
Maritime English for Seafarers PART 2
Standard Maritime Communication Phrases (SMCP), commonly used among Deck and Engineer Officers onboard ships
Created byEdirisinghe Seneviratne
Last updated 8/2025
English
What you'll learn
- Improve trainees' competence in Maritime English to the level required in the syllabus so that they can take effective and correct actions when ordered
- Prepare trainees for developing the full knowledge, understanding and proficiency in Maritime English required by the STCW 1995 Code
- Give students wide-ranging opportunities to practise communicating in English for both maritime and general purposes at lower intermediate language level
- Communicate effectively and take actions confidently when ordered by senior officers in all shipboard operations mainly to maintain safety and security onboard
Explore related topics
Course content
2 sections • 22 lectures • 8h 28m total length
Requirements
- Those who are able to use English for very basic, everyday needs but without sustained fluency and with many errors. Has a limited understanding of spoken English, requires a lot of rephrasing, repetition and simplification of language.
- Those who can communicate satisfactorily about everyday topics with a restricted range of language. Able to understand native speakers of English talking at a measured pace with some rephrasing and repetition. Comprehension is likely to fail under pressure.
- Those who are communicating about everyday topics and more abstract concepts. Makes some mistakes but is usually able to correct any major errors which prevent him being understood. Able to understand the essence of native speaker English but may misunderstand detail.
- Those who are confident in using a wide range of language to express himself accurately and fluently in all but the most demanding situations. Makes some minor mistakes but these do not generally prevent him being understood. Experiences occasional problems of comprehension but these can usually be corrected
- Those who are proficient in all aspects of communication. Has no difficulty with comprehension and can express abstract concepts accurately and fluently. Able to resolve any problems of comprehension effectively
Description
The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a sub organization of the United Nations, office based in London, with the responsibility for safety and security of shipping, proposed a common working language for shipping industry all over the world. As multi national crew were operating vessels, different languages were spoken onboard. In order to avoid accidents, learn safe working practices and various ship operating measures onboard, it was agreed to have a common language used onboard ships. Since 2001, IMO introduced Maritime English course mandatory for all seafarers and must follow a course to understand the shipboard operation activities in English. This was named as the common language onboard ships.
Maritime English Operational Level course provides the ship's officers with the English language skills necessary for safe and efficient vessel operations at sea, collision prevention, pollution prevention, machinery operation, handling security matters, particularly at the officer level such as officer in charge of a navigational or engineering watch. This includes mastering Standard Maritime Communication Phrases (SMCP) and developing proficiency in both written and verbal communication for various shipboard situations, including emergencies.
Proficiency in Maritime English is crucial for clear and unambiguous communication during critical situations like distress calls, search and rescue operations, and evacuations. It allows officers to understand and follow instructions, coordinate with other crew members and shore personnel, and maintain smooth operations among all departments. Maritime English is the universal language at sea, and this course ensures officers can effectively communicate with international crew members and other ships.
Course consists of the following topics:-
Introduction to Maritime English Operational Level
Describe routine operations onboard and understand standard engine orders
Express personal preferences, discuss food onboard, order meals
Food and drinks adjectives galley terms
Commands in emergency situations Onboard
Check supplies; provide quantities, weights, prices discuss cargo handling procedures
Compare vessel details, describe equipment
Describe visitors on board
Describe weather conditions; understand forecasts
Report events of past voyages
Report details of incidents at sea
Incidents at sea, Ch.16 VHF communications for distress and urgency messages
Personal injuries at sea. Request medical assistance
VHF communications regarding bunkering
External written and spoken communication systems
All tenses in English Language used in Maritime English
List of Irregular verbs table, Present ,Past, Past participle tenses
Bunkering Checklist
Replacement for a Chief Cook due to ill health – Letter from Master
Reporting an accident onboard - letter from Master to owners
Crew change request letter to owners
10 questions to test your knowledge
Who this course is for:
- For experienced deck and engineering cadets working on merchant ships
- For 3rd officers and 4th engineers working on merchant ships
- for 2nd officers and 3rd engineers working on merchant ships
- For chief officers and 2nd engineers working on merchant ships
- For ETOs working on merchant ships
- For Masters and chief engineers working on merchant ships
- For Catering officers working on cruise ships
- For all other merchant marine officers who are engaged in foreign going ships world wide
- For all merchant marine officers working onboard tugs