DANGEROUS CARGO- All substances of an inflammable nature which are liable to spontaneous combustion either in themselves or when stowed adjacent to other substances and, when mixed with air, are liable to generate explosive gases or produce suffocation or poisoning or tainting of foodstuffs.

DANGEROUS LIQUIDS- Liquids giving off inflammable vapors.

DAVITS -Two radial cranes on a ship which hold the lifeboats. They are constructed in such a way as to lower and lift the lifeboats the easiest way possible and are also unobstructed in case of an emergency.

DEADFREICHT- Space booked by shipper or charterer on a vessel but not used

DEADFREIGHT FACTOR- Percentage of a ship's carrying capacity that is not utilized.

DEADWEIGHT/DWAT/DWCC- A common measure of ship carrying capacity. The number of tons (2240 lbs.) of cargo, stores and bunkers that a vessel can transport. It is the difference between the number of tons of water a vessel displaces "light" and the number of tons it displaces "when submerged to the 'deep load line'." A vessel's cargo capacity is less than its total deadweight tonnage. The difference in weight between a vessel when it is fully loaded and when it is empty (in general transportation terms, the net) measured by the water it displaces. This is the most common, and useful, measurement for shipping as it measures cargo capacity.

DECK GANG- The officers and seamen comprising the deck department aboard ship. Also called deck crew, deck department, or just deck.

DECKHAND- Seaman who works on the deck of a ship and remains in the wheelhouse attending to the orders of the duty officers during navigation and manoeuvering. He also comes under the direct orders of the bosun.

DECK LOG -Also called Captain's Log. A full nautical record of a ship's voyage, written up at the end of each watch by the deck officer on watch. The principal entries are: courses steered; distance run; compass variations, sea and weather conditions; ship's position, principal headlands passed; names of lookouts, and any unusual position, principal headlands passed; names of lookouts, and any unusual happenings such as fire, collision, and the like..

DECK OFFICER- As distinguished from engineer officer, refers to all officers who assist the master in navigating the vessel when at sea, and supervise the handling of cargo when in port.

DECK HOUSE- Small superstructure on the top deck of a vessel which contains the helm and other navigational instruments.

DEEP SEA TRADES- The traffic routes of both cargo and passenger vessels which are regularly engaged on the high seas or on long voyages.

DEEP STOWAGE- Any bulk, bagged or other type of cargo stowed in single hold ships.

DEMISE CHARTER- See Bareboat Charter.

DEMURRAGE -A fee levied by the shipping company upon the port or supplier for not loading or unloading the vessel by a specified date agreed upon by contract. Usually, assessed upon a daily basis after the deadline.

DESPATCH- Time saved, reward for quick turnaround - in dry cargo only

DEVIATION- Vessel departure from specified voyage course

DISABLED SHIP- When a ship is unable to sail efficiently or in a seaworthy state as a result of engine trouble, lack of officers or crew, damage to the hull or ship's gear.

DISCHARGES- An essential document for officers and seamen as it serves an official certificate confirming sea experience in the employment for which he was engaged.

DOD -Department of Defense.

DOE - Department of Energy

DOMESTIC OFFSHORE TRADES - Domestic shipping routes serving Alaska and non-continental U.S. States and territories.

DOT -Department of Transportation.

DOUBLE BOTTOM- General term for all watertight spaces contained between the outside bottom plating, the tank top and the margin plate. The double bottoms are sub-divided into a number of separate tanks which may contain boiler feed water, drinking water, fuel oil, ballast, etc.

DRAFT -The depth of a ship in the water. The vertical distance between the waterline and the keel, in the U.S. expressed in feet, elsewhere in meters.

Drilling unit - Fitted with drilling rig (oil derrick with rotary drill and a mud pumping system), drilling for petroleum.

Drill Ship -: Regular ship shaped vessel, production ship. Positioned by anchors or dynamic positioning. Has its own propulsion machinery.

DRY CARGO- Merchandise other than liquid carried in bulk.

DRY CARGO SHIP- Vessel which carriers all merchandise, excluding liquid in bulk.

DRY DOCK- An enclosed basin into which a ship is taken for underwater cleaning and repairing. It is fitted with water tight entrance gates which when closed permit the dock to be pumped dry.

DUAL PURPOSE SHIP- Specially constructed ship able to carry different types of cargoes such as ore and/or oil.

DUNNAGE- A term applied to loose wood or other material used in a ship's hold for the protection of cargo.

DWT -Deadweight tons