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'A' to 'L'  This page has been compiled by Commander Dom. (Please pay attention, as there will be pop quizzes this coming boating season). A ABAFT: Behind; in a direction toward the stern [abaft the helm] ABEAM: in the direction of the vessel's beam; at right angle to the keel [on the port beam] ABOARD: in a vessel; on board ABOUT: on the other tack [bring her about] ABOVE: at a higher level on board [above decks] ABREAST: side by side; alongside; as far ahead as [abreast of the gangway] ADRIFT: floating but not secured, anchored or under propulsion AFT: toward or near the stern AFTER: toward the stern; aft of amidships [the after deck] AGROUND: touching the bottom either lightly or solidly [hard aground] AHOY: nautical hailing cry [boat ahoy] ALEE: on the lee side ALOFT: overhead; up the mast; in the rigging [look aloft] ALOW: not above deck; opposite of aloft ALTER: to change course [she altered to port] AMIDSHIPS:
(i) near the middle of the vessel's length (ii) neither to port
AMPLITUDE: the height or width of a wave, from trough to crest ANCHORAGE: an area suited to or designed for anchoring ANCHOR
LIGHT: a white masthead light required by law when at anchor between
ANCHOR WATCH: the individual or group watching over a vessel at anchor ANEMOMETER: an instrument which measures wind velocity ANSWER: of a ship, to respond to rudder application [she answers the wheel] ANTI-FOULING: of paint, one which discourages marine growth ARM: (i) an inlet (ii) part of an instrument or anchor ASTERN: behind; backward [tow the dinghy astern] ATHWART: across ATHWARTSHIPS: across the vessel; at right angle to the keel AVAST: cease; stop AWASH: level with the surface of the water AWEATHER: on the weather or windward side; opposite of alee AWEIGH: of an anchor, raised to be just clear of the bottom AYE
AYE: nautical acknowledgement of understanding; yes [aye aye, sir]
B BEACH: to run a vessel aground on a beach intentionally BEAM: the greatest width of a vessel BEAMY: wider than average for the vessel's length BEAR: to lie in a certain direction [light bears 180 degrees] BEARING: the direction in which an object lies BED: to seal the joint between a fitting and a surface or between two surfaces BELAY: to make fast without knots, as to a cleat BEND: a knot for joining line to line or to ring or stanchion BENT: fastened to BERTH: (i) a place where a boat may lie secure (ii) sleeping accommodation, bed BILGE: the lower internal part of a hull BINNACLE: the housing or mounting of the compass BITT: a stout post for securing, usually on deck BITTER END: the inboard end of a line, particularly of the anchor rode BLUFF: broad of bow; opposite of fine BOLLARD: a stout post, usually on a pier, for securing lines BOOT TOPPING: a narrow band of paint at the design waterline BOW: the forward part of a vessel, terminating at the stem BOWSPRIT: a fore-and-aft spar projecting forward from the bow BREAK OUT: make ready for use BRISTOL FASHION: in an excellent state of order [ship shape and Bristol fashion] BROACH: to swing uncontrollably, from a direction with wind and waves astern BROAD: on a named relative bearing [broad on the starboard bow] BULKHEAD: a vertical partition separating compartments BURDENED: the vessel which gives way, the give-way vessel BY
THE BOARD: over the side
C CANT LINES: the valleys between the strands of a laid rope CAPSIZE: to overturn CARRY AWAY: to be broken or lost by heavy weather CARVEL: of a hull; the planks meet edge to edge rather than overlap CAST OFF: to let go a mooring or docking line CAT'S PAW: a patch of scurrying surface ruffles produced by a puff of wind CAVITATION: the occurrence of voids in the water around the propeller CHAIN LOCKER: stowage space for the anchor rode, usually in the forepeak CHARLIE NOBLE: the fitting at the top of the galley stove pipe CHART: a map designed specifically for nautical purposes CHECK: (i) to arrest motion temporarily (ii) to slack a sheet slightly (sail) CHINE: the line described by the meeting of the bottom and side CHINE LOG: the longitudinal structural member on which the bottom and side planks meet CHIP LOG: a device to determine speed through the water using timing and a knotted line CHOCK:
(i) a deck fitting designed to allow a line to pass through it and to
CHOP: a surface condition of short, confused, tumbling waves CLAW OFF: to go to windward to keep clear of a lee shore CLEAT: a fitting having one r two horns to which a line can be secured without a knot CLEW: the after lower corner of a sail CLINKER-BUILT: of a hull; constructed with overlapping planking; lapstrake or lapstreak CLOSE: of two landmarks or aids, to bring them into line CLOSE ABOARD: near; at a relatively close distance [bring the buoy close aboard] CLOVE HITCH: a knot used for a temporary fastening to a rail or pile COAMING:
a plank surrounding the opening of a cockpit or hatch, slightly
COCKED HAT: a triangle formed by the intersection of three lines of position COCKPIT: an open, undecked area sunk below the level of the deck COMPANIONWAY: a stairway from the deck to a lower level COMPASS ROSE: a circle drawn on a chart, divided into degrees and oriented to north CON:
to steer a vessel, through orders to the man at the wheel, visually
CONTOUR: a line on a chart joining points of equal height or equal depth CONTROLLING DEPTH: the minimum depth of water, as in a dredged channel CORDAGE: all ropes, lines and small stuff used aboard ship COURSE:
(i) the route which it is intended a vessel shall follow
COURSE MADE GOOD: the route actually taken by the vessel CRAFT: any small waterborne conveyance CREW: those who assist the master in handling a vessel CROWN:
(i) a knot in the end of a line used to prevent unlaying or as a
CRUISE:
(i) a pleasure voyage, usually of some duration (ii) to move
CRUISER: (i) a vessel fitted for pleasure trips of some duration (ii) a class of naval vessel CRUISING
SPEED: a comfortable steady running speed which can be sustained
CURRENT: horizontal movement of water CUT: the angle at which lines of position intersect CUTTER:
a sailing vessel having one mast and at least two headsails
D DAMP: to restrain, as the rolling of a ship or oscillation of a compass card DANGER SIGNAL: five or more short blasts DATUM: a horizontal reference plane from which depths are measured DAVIT:
an arm used for hoisting, usually anchors or boats, from water to
DEAD: (i) precisely [dead ahead] (ii) powerless [dead in the water] DEADHEAD: a floating timber r log with little visible on the surface DEAD
RECKONING: the process of determining a craft's position using only
DEADRISE: the athwartship upward slope of a vessel's bottom, expressed as an angle or inches per foot DEAD SLOW: the slowest speed at which a vessel will answer the rudder DEADWOOD: the structural material between keel and stern-post or keel and hull DECK:
the structure which covers the hull or separates compartments one
DECK BEAM: an athwartships structural member supporting a deck DECKHEAD: the upper surface of a cabin or compartment DECKLINE: the line formed by the meeting of deck and topsides DEEP: an unmarked fathom point on the traditional lead line [deep nine] DEVIATION:
the angle, on a particular heading, by which a craft's magnetic
DISEMBARK: to get out of a boat DISPLACEMENT: the weight of a vessel; the weight of water displaced by the floating hull DIURNAL: daily DOCK: a pier, wharf or other structure where a vessel may be secured DOLPHIN: a cluster of piles bound together DOUBLE-ENDER: a boat having a pointed stern, as a canoe DOWNWIND: to leeward DRAFT: the depth of water required to float a vessel [her draft is three feet] DROGUE: a funnel-like canvas device used as a sea anchor DRY ROT: a fungus which attacks and destroys damp wood DRY STORAGE: storage on land DUTCHMAN'S
LOG: an elementary method of determining approximately a craft's
DYNAMIC
LIFT: the lifting force produced by rapid water motion under a plane
E EASE:(i) to reduce the amount of rudder application (ii) to slacken lightly a taut line EBB: (i) the fall of the tide (ii) the current associated therewith [the ebb sets westerly] ELECTROLYSIS: the transfer of metal through a liquid caused by flow of electric current ELECTROLYTE: a fluid which conducts electricity ENSIGN:
the flag of a nation
EVEN KEEL: the state of floating in a normal attitude as per design EYE:
(i) a loop or hole to receive a line, hook or pin (ii) the exact
direction
from which
EYE SPLICE: a splice which forms a loop on the end of a line F FAG: of a line's strands, to unravel, the unraveled end of a line FAIR:
(i) of wind or weather, favourable (ii) of a hull's surface, smooth,
without
bumps
FAIRWAY: an area of water safe for navigation FAKE: see Flake FALL OFF: to swing away from the wind FALLS: the line of a tackle which is pulled [davit falls] FAST: secure; fastened [to make fast] FATHOM: a unit of length or depth of six feet FEATHER: of an oar or propeller, to so turn the blade as not to grip the water FENDER: a device to protect the topsides from abrasion FENDER BOARD: a plank used in conjunction with fenders FEND OFF: to ward off, particularly of something hazarding the topsides FETCH:
(i) the distance over which wind has blown uninterrupted (ii) to make
FID: a pointed tool of wood or metal used in splicing rope FIFE
RAIL: a rail around a vessel's mast near deck level to which
belaying
FINE:
(i) of delicate and slender lines; sharp; opposite of bluff
FINE REACH: close reach FITTING: an item of hardware FITTING OUT: the process of readying for use after a period of inactivity FIX: a firmly established position of a craft at a particular time FLAKE:
to lay a line out on deck, back and forth, in large, loose turns, not
FLAME
ARRESTER: metal gauze or grill placed over the air intake of a
FLARE: (i) a pyrotechnic signaling device (ii) the overhang of the topsides near the bow FLEMISH: to coil a line on deck in a neat, tight spiral FLINDERS
BAR: a device installed in a binnacle to compensate for a vessel's
FLOOR
BOARD: a board placed along the inboard bottom to protect the
planking
FLUKE: the part of an anchor which digs FLY: of a flag, its horizontal length FLYING BRIDGE: an elevated and usually protected control position for steering a vessel FOLLOWING: of wind or sea, to be coming from astern FORE: toward the bow [foremast] FORE-AND-AFT:
along or parallel to the vessel's longitudinal centre line
FORECASTLE: living accommodation forward FOREMAST: the mast nearest the bow FOREPEAK: the space below deck at the bow FORESAIL: a sail set ahead of the mast FORESTAY:
an element of standing rigging running forward from a point up the
FORWARD: toward the bow, opposite of aft FOUL:
(i) of a craft's bottom, having marine growth (ii) of the water's
FOUNDER: to fill with water and sink FREEBOARD: the vertical distance between the water surface and the deck or gunwale FRESH: of wind, brisk or strong FRESHEN: of wind, to grow stronger FRESHEN
THE NIP: to alter the point of wear in a line, as where it passes
FRESHET: the seasonal heavy flow of a stream or river FURL: to stow by rolling up, as of a flag or a sail G GALE: wind of velocity between 28 and 55 knots GALLEY: a vessel's kitchen GALVANIC ACTION: an electrochemical action resulting in erosion of metal GARBOARD: adjacent to the keel [garboard strake, garboard plug] GIMBALS:
a mechanical arrangement which keeps equipment, such as a compass,
GIVE-WAY:
to keep clear of another vessel by alteration of course, speed or
GNOMONIC: a type of chart projection GROMMET: (i) an eyelet (ii) a continuous ring of rope GROUND TACKLE: the gear with which anchoring is accomplished GROW:
of line or cable, the direction in which it trends or slants [the rode
GUDGEON: a ring or eye attached at the stern to receive the pintle of the rudder GUNWALE: the upper edge of a vessel's topsides, where the deck meets the topsides GYPSY: see WILDCAT GYRO
COMPASS: a directional instrument which indicates true (geographic)
north
H HAILER: An electronic device used to amplify or direct the voice [loud hailer]; a megaphone HALF HITCH: a kind of knot HALYARD: a line used for hoisting a sail or a flag (also HALLIARD) HAND: a crew member [all hands on deck] HANDSOMELY: slowly and carefully [lower away handsomely] HANDY: of a craft, easily handled; readily maneuverable HAND LEAD: a light lead line HARD: fully [hard a'port; hard over] HATCH: an opening in a deck (also hatchway) HAUL:
(i) of a line, to pull on it; (ii) in steering, to come closer to the
HAWSE: anchor rode HAWSE HOLE: and opening in the topsides on one side of the bow HAWSE PIPE: the tube leading inboard from the hawse hole HAWSER: a heavy fibre or wire line used for docking or towing HEAD:
(i) the bow and adjacent areas of a vessel; (ii) the upper corner of a
HEADWAY: forward motion HEAT EXCHANGER: a device to transfer heat as in an engine's cooling system HEAVE:
(i) to pull, as on a line [heave away]; (ii) of a vessel, to move
HEAVE THE LEAD: to cast the lead in taking soundings with a hand lead line HEAVE TO: to stop a vessel, or so control her as to maintain a minimum of way HEAVING LINE: a light line with a weighted end, to be thrown by hand HEAVY: of weather or sea, rough and unfavourable HEEL:
(i) of a vessel, to lean over in the wind; (ii) the bottom end of a
HEELING ERROR: a compass difference introduced by the heel of the craft HELM: steering apparatus HELMSMAN: the man in charge of the helm or wheel; man at the wheel HIGH TENSION: of electric wiring which carries high voltages HIGH WATER: the level of the water surface at high tide HITCH: a knot HOG: of a vessel, to droop at bow and stern HOIST:
(i) of a flag, its vertical dimension; (ii) a string of signal flags;
HOLDING
GROUND: bottom on which a vessel has anchored
HOME: (i) to or toward the craft; (ii) to follow a signal toward its source HOOK: anchor (slang) HORIZON:
the line created by the apparent meeting of sea and sky or distant
HORSEPOWER: a unit of rate of work; 33,000 foot pounds per minute HULL: the body of a vessel to deck level; her structural members and skin HULL
DOWN: of a vessel, to be so distant as to have only her
superstructure
HURRICANE:
a tropical cyclone generating winds of velocity no less than 65
HYDROGRAPHIC:
pertaining to the portrayal of water features
I IGNITION: the system by which fuel is ignited in the cylinder of an engine INBOARD: being within the parameter of the hull; opposite of outboard INSHORE: near or toward the shore INTERNAL COMBUSTION: an engine which burns its fuel within its cylinders IN THE WIND: to windward INWALE:
a longitudinal structural component of an open boat, inboard of the
INWARD BOUND: making for a port IRISH
PENNANT: an untidy end of a line
J JACK STAFF: a short vertical staff at the bow JAM
CLEAT: a cleat which holds by mechanical jamming action, capable of
JIB: a triangular sail set forward of the foremost mast JURY:
a temporary arrangement; a substitute for a damaged component [jury rig]
K KAYAK: a type of canoe developed by the Eskimo KEDGE:
(i) to free a grounded craft by hauling her off against an anchor set
to
seaward;
KEEL: the principal fore-and-aft structural member of a framed hull; the hull's backbone KEELSON: a fore-and-aft structural member, reinforcing and placed above the keel KEEP OFF: to sail less closely to the wind KELLET:
an anchor or other weight attached in the length of the rode to
KELVIN
SHERES: hollow spheres of soft iron, mounted one on each side of a
KETCH:
a fore-and-aft rigged sailboat having two masts, the after mast being
KILLICK: a crude anchor of wood and stones KING
SPOKE: the particular marked spoke of a steering wheel which is
KNEE:
a structural component which provides stiffening at the junction of
KNOT:
(i) a speed of one nautical mile per hour; (ii) convolutions in a line
L LABEL: to enter information against lines plotted on a chart LABOUR: of a craft, to be stressed in a seaway LAMBERT CONFORMAL: a chart projection LANDLUBBER: one who is unfamiliar with nautical matters LAND
AND SEA BREEZES: winds created by convection which blow landward
during
LANYARD: a short, light line or cord used for securing or holding LAPSTRAKE: hull construction in which the strakes (boards) overlap LATERAL
SYSTEM: the system of buoyage used in North America, wherein the
LATITUDE: angular distance north or south of the equator LAUNCH:
(i) a comparatively small, and usually open, motor boat;
LAY: of rope, the twist which causes the strands to lie together LAY
A COURSE: (i) of a pilot, to plot a course;
LAY UP: of a craft, to remove from service, usually seasonally LAZARETTE: storage space below deck at the stern LEADING LIGHT: one of a pair of range lights LEADING MARK: one of a pair of markers LEAD LINE: a weighted and marked line used for measuring water depth LEATHER: a collar on an oar LEAVE:
(i) to pass with the object on the named side [leave on the port hand];
LEE:
(i) an area to leeward [in the lee of the land];
LEE SHORE: the shore to leeward of the vessel LEEBOARD:
a flat surface lowered over the lee side of a small boat or canoe
LEEWARD: away from the wind LEEWAY: leeward motion caused by wind LEG: a distinct portion of a race LIE OFF: to heave to a short distance from shore or another boat LIE TO: heave to LIFE
LINE: a line strung around the deck to which hands can secure
LIGHT: a lighted aid to navigation LIGHTSHIP: a floating lighthouse, moored on station LIMBER: a drainage hole through a frame or floor timber at the bottom of the bildge LINE: a length of rope in service on board ship LINE OF POSITION: a line on which a craft is known to lie, abbreviated LOP LINE OF SOUNDINGS: a series of soundings taken while running as an aid to navigation LIST:
(i) the athwartships lean or tilt of a vessel caused by incorrect
LOCK:
a large chamber, to which water is admitted, to raise or lower a
LOCKER: a cupboard, chest or cabinet LOG:
(i) a device which measures distance traveled through the water, from
LONGITUDE: angular distance east or west of the prime meridian LONG SPLICE: a joining splice which does not increase diameter LOOM:
of a light or lights, the dim general sky illumination which may be
LORAN: an electronic system for determining position at sea LOW TENSION: of electric wiring which carries low voltages LOW WATER: the level of the water surface at low tide LUBBER: a clumsy seaman (from Landlubber) LUBBER LINE: a reference mark or index on the case of a compass (also Lubber's Line) LUMINOUS
RANGE: the greatest distance at which a light can be seen in good
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