ABBREVIATION MEANING AA Always Afloat AAAA Always Accessible Always Afloat AAOSA Always Afloat or Safe Aground. Condition for a vessel whilst in port AARA Amsterdam-Antwerp-Rotterdam Area ABAFT Toward the rear (stern) of the ship. Behind. ABOARD On or within the ship ABOVE DECK On the deck (not over it - see ALOFT) ABT About ADCOM Address Commission ADDENDUM Additional chartering terms at the end of a charter party AFSPS Arrival First Sea Pilot Station (Norway) AFFREIGHTMENT The hiring of a ship in whole or part AFT At or towards the stern or rear of a ship AGROUND Touching or fast to the bottom AGW All Going Well AHL Australian Hold Ladders AIDS TO NAVIGATION Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe and unsafe waters ALOFT Above the deck of the ship AMIDSHIPS In or toward the centre of the ship ANCHORAGE A place suitable for anchorage in relation to the wind, seas and bottom ANTHAM Antwerp-Hamburg Range APS Arrival Pilot Station ARAG Amsterdam-Rotterdam--Antwerp-Gent Range ARBITRATION Method of settling disputes which is usually binding on parties. A clause usually in a charter party A/S Alongside ASBA American Shipbrokers Association ASPW Any Safe Port in the World ASTERN In the back of the ship, opposite of ahead ATDNSHINC Any Time Day/Night Sundays and Holidays Included ATHWARTSHIPS At right angles to the centreline of the ship ATUTC Actual Times Used to Count