Language [used among merchant marine vessels]

[meanderingja_aol.com]

Can somebody please tell me what the international language of the SEA is? I used to sail on oil tankers to various countries and it was English. I need
some specific info and corrobarrating material. One Merchant Mariner requesting info…I might even be persuaded to mail you a “Hook” for the “Mail Buoy”. Yes, I fell for that one…

[tomndebb]

I suspect that you would like an answer to your question rather than a debate about it, so I have moved the thread from Great Debates to General Questions.

[tomndebb]

The governing body for such decisions appears to be the International Maritime Organization (IMO), according to Buzzle.com.

On the IMO website, an internal search turned up a .pdf titled:
International Seminar on Maritime English
Maritime Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
20 to 22 March 2002
The importance of effective communication

that included the following paragraphs

The language usually used on board ship is the national language of the crew. However, in these days
of multinational crews, a variety of languages may be used or alternatively one working language
adopted. Whichever is used, ships trading internationally must conduct ship to shore communications
in a language that can be understood as navigational and safety communications must be precise and
unambiguous to avoid confusion and error.
And in the world of international transport and shipping, the chosen international standard for
achieving effective communication on board and between ship and shore is the English language. An
adequate standard of English is therefore not only an international requirement for certification of
seafarers but also a key element in ensuring safe, efficient and profitable ship operations.

(bolding mine)

ETA: http://www.imo.org/includes/blastData.asp/doc_id=2022/International%20Seminar.pdf