What is AA (Always Afloat)?

In order to prevent a vessel from being ordered to proceed to a berth where she cannot load or discharge without touching the ground or a berth which can only be reached safely after discharging part of the cargo into lighters or which can only be reached on spring tidal conditions, the so-called “always safely afloat clause” is inserted in the charterparty. This clause may read as follows:

"... the vessel shall proceed to . . . or so near thereto as she may safely get and lie afloat . . . and being so loaded the vessel shall proceed to . . . or so near thereto as she tray safely get and lie always afloat there deliver the cargo, ..."