cold-iron

v. (of a ship) to receive electricity, heat, water, and other utilities from shoreside. Subjects: English, Nautical, Jargon

Editorial Note: The noun “cold iron” refers to a ship that cannot or does not operate under its own power, as seen in the 1956 and 1963 citations.

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Citations: [1956 Michael James New York Times (Jan. 29) “Carrier Saratoga Floated for Final Fitting as World’s Most Powerful Ship” p. 27: The captain…explained that the supercarrier had no power of her own; she was “cold iron.”] [1963 New York Times (July 28) “‘Cold-Iron Watch’ on Savannah Maintained by American Export” p. S17: American Export Lines put “a cold-iron watch” on the $53,000,000 Savannah in Galveston, Texas, last week.…It means putting a cadre crew aboard to keep essential maintenance on a dead ship. Electricity, water, steam and other utilities are received from shore.] 1989 Independent Power Report (Apr. 21) “Air Plan Would Require Los Angeles, Long Beach Ports To Obtain 200 MW” p. 10: However, said Chavdarian, if the ocean-going ships that now call at the port are required to “cold iron,” that is, completely shut down all boilers while in port and rely on shore-side electric power for lights, heating, cooling and other needs, the ports will have to deliver a total of about 200 MW in 3,500-kVa increments to some 60 berths. 1993 Lloyd’s List International (Oct. 29) “Marine Industry Targets Reduction In Air Pollution”: The state of Alaska has imposed emission regulations in respect of soot, with quite severe penalties if exceeded, and several harbours in Sweden require cold ironing or emission reductions when some of the larger ferries are in port. 2006 Kevin King The Log (Irvine, California) (Apr. 19) “Port of L.A. Presented With EPA Clean Air Award”: The AMP program reduces toxins surrounding the port and its communities by powering massive container ships with shoreside electricity, rather than using ships’ auxiliary engines. This process is called “cold ironing.” 2006 World-Wire (June 13) “Matson Honored With U.S. Coast Guard’s Prestigious Benkert Environmental Award For Excellence” (in Oakland, California): Matson will retrofit five vessels in its current fleet to use shoreside electricity, known as cold-ironing, or technology that is at least 90 percent as clean as cold-ironing. In addition, a class of older vessels will be retrofitted with technology that is at least 80 percent as clean as cold-ironing.

Posted 1 Mar 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend