Glossary — L

33 terms starting with L.

• Laid Up
  The status of a vessel taken out of active trading and moored or anchored in a sheltered location while awaiting employment.
• Lapse Rate
  The rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with increasing altitude, averaging approximately 6.5°C per kilometre in the standard atmosphere.
• Lashing
  Chains, wire, or webbing straps used to secure cargo on deck or in holds against movement during sea passage.
• Lashing Rod
  A threaded steel rod used in combination with turnbuckles to secure containers and deck cargo against movement at sea.
• Laytime
  The agreed time allowed in a charter party for loading or discharging cargo; excess time results in demurrage charges.
• Lead
  Linear crack or fracture in sea ice large enough for navigation.
• Leading Line
  Two charted objects in line that define a safe course into or within a port, keeping the vessel clear of hazards.
• Letter of Indemnity (LOI)
  Written undertaking — typically by charterer to owner — to indemnify against losses arising from delivering cargo without original bill of lading.
• Life-Saving Appliances Code (LSA Code)
  IMO code specifying performance standards and testing for all life-saving appliances required by SOLAS Chapter III.
• Lifeboat
  A survival craft capable of sustaining life at sea, required on all SOLAS vessels and capable of being launched under adverse conditions.
• Liferaft
  An inflatable or rigid survival craft stowed on deck and launched by hand or hydrostatic release if the vessel sinks.
• Light Ship
  A vessel's weight when fully equipped with permanent fixtures but without cargo, fuel, ballast, stores, or crew on board.
• Lighterage
  Use of barges or smaller vessels to discharge cargo from a deep-draft ship at anchor where the destination port cannot accommodate her draft.
• Lightweight Tonnage (LWT)
  Ship's mass when launched, empty: hull, machinery, equipment, no fuel, water, ballast, stores, or cargo.
• List
  A permanent transverse inclination of a vessel caused by an uneven distribution of weights across the ship.
• List vs Loll
  List = heel from asymmetric weight distribution (positive GM). Loll = heel from negative GM with the ship oscillating about an angle either side of upright.
• Lloyd's Open Form (LOF)
  Standard salvage agreement on 'no cure, no pay' basis administered by Lloyd's Salvage Arbitration Branch.
• LNG Bunkering
  Transfer of LNG fuel ship-to-ship, truck-to-ship, or terminal-to-ship; covered by IGF Code and ISO/TS 18683.
• LNG carrier (LNGC)
  Cryogenic tanker transporting liquefied natural gas at −163 °C in insulated containment tanks, governed by the IGC Code.
• LNG Carrier
  A purpose-built vessel carrying liquefied natural gas in insulated cargo tanks at approximately −163°C.
• Load Line Certificate
  A certificate assigned by the flag state or classification society specifying the minimum freeboard and maximum loading depth for each zone.
• Load on Top (LOT)
  Pre-COW practice of letting tank washings settle, decanting the water, and loading new cargo on top of the oil residue.
• Loading Master
  A terminal representative who supervises the safe conduct of cargo transfer operations between shore installation and vessel.
• Lockout-Tagout (LOTO)
  Procedure for isolating dangerous energy sources (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, steam) before maintenance, with physical lock and identifying tag.
• Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT)
  A mandatory satellite-based tracking system requiring SOLAS ships to transmit identity and position to flag and port state authorities.
• Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT)
  Mandatory worldwide ship-position-reporting system at 6-hour intervals via Inmarsat-C (or Iridium), separate from AIS.
• Longitudinal Stiffener
  Long, thin reinforcing member running fore-and-aft along plating to resist bending and buckling.
• Loss of Hire Insurance (LOH)
  Insurance covering loss of charter hire when the vessel is off-hire due to a covered H&M peril.
• Loss Prevention Circular
  Bulletin issued by P&I Clubs to highlight emerging claim trends and recommend operational improvements.
• Loxodrome
  A line on the earth's surface crossing all meridians at the same angle, synonymous with a rhumb line course.
• LPG carrier (LPGC)
  Gas tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas (propane, butane) or petrochemical gases in pressurised, semi-refrigerated, or fully refrigerated tanks.
• LPG Carrier
  A gas tanker designed to carry liquefied petroleum gases such as propane or butane under pressure or refrigeration.
• LSA Code (International Life-Saving Appliance Code) (LSA Code)
  The IMO code specifying life-saving appliance construction + performance standards — mandatory under SOLAS Chapter III.