# Standard Maritime English **URL:** \ **Category:** Scuttlebutt\ **Created:** [November 22, 2017, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676 "2017-11-22T21:20:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BoatRoach](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/boatroach/32/3342_2.png) [@BoatRoach](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/BoatRoach)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 1:45pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/23 "2018-04-27T13:45:44Z")
For those on the towing side of things, does the term “kicking her in the ass” sound familiar? Overheard that jewel from a tow somewhere on the ICW. ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 4:07am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/24 "2018-04-28T04:07:40Z")
Any crazy or stupid Norwegian phrases we oughta know about?? ---
**Author:** ![portofdc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@portofdc](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/portofdc)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/25 "2018-04-28T12:10:42Z")
Judging from the posts of our Norwegian friend, I’d guess there are plenty of crazy and stupid phrases. But that probably isn’t what you meant. ---
**Author:** ![dbeierl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dbeierl/32/11833_2.png) [@dbeierl](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dbeierl)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/26 "2018-04-28T12:49:44Z")
> [@BoatRoach](#): > > does the term “kicking her in the ass” sound familiar? I assume that refers to going faster? ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/27 "2018-04-28T18:10:55Z")
There are some, but before I quote any; How is your Norwegian language comprehension?? ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/28 "2018-04-28T19:41:15Z")
Similar to “hook her up,” “come on to her,” and dozens of others. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/29 "2018-04-28T19:59:49Z")
“Put the coals to her.” ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2018, 4:38am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/30 "2018-04-29T04:38:15Z")
You could try offering a translation. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2018, 11:37am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676/31 "2018-04-29T11:37:30Z")
The purpose of Standard Maritime English is clarity of communication between vessels and with VTS etc. The example of the tanker causing a major spill in Balikpapan, Indonesia, MAY be an example of where a Chinese Master and an Indonesian Pilot communicating in English did not understand each other for lack of English comprehension on one or both side. The need for Standard Maritime English also applies to Engineers who need to communicate with shipyards and suppliers in places where English is not commonly used. To use American terminology, (or even worse, slang) may not be helpful in ensuring effective communication. I remember on an OSV where the Chinese Cook had ordered “2 boxes Black Fruit”. The Shipchandler called up the American Port Engineer for clarification. His reply; “I don’t fu\*king know. Give them Grape fruits”. What did he actually want?? Prunes. Yes I could translate some Norwegian terms, but what good would that do? If a Norwegian need to communicate with you he/she would use English anyhow as they are though in school from grade 3. PS\> If in a formal shipboard setting that would be in Standard Maritime English. [Previous page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/standard-maritime-english/46676.md?page=1)