Post by Roy on Feb 24, 2011 8:36:04 GMT
NAUTICAL LANGUAGE
It is not surprising that mariners have built up their own vocabulary, because many parts
of a boat and the methods of using them have no equivalent ashore.
Communication in boat handling is often very important, so you must learn the
more common terms in order that you can understand and be understood.
The more important parts of a boat are described and illustrated in Fig.6.
Fig.6
1, foredeck: 2, windlass: 3, hatch: 4, cleat: 5, coachroof: 6, sidelights: 7, masthead light:
8, burgee: 9, house flag: 10, cockpit: 11, stern light: 12, ensign: 13, stern: 14, bow: 15, scuttle:
16, side deck: 17, stanchion: 18, guardrail: 19, topsides: 20, gunwale: 21, rubbing strake:
22, fairlead: 23, davit: 24, boot topping: 25, transom.
A GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Abaft = Behind; further aft than.
Abeam = On the beam; at right angles to the fore-and-aft line of the vessel.
Aboard = In or on the vessel; on board.
A-Bracket = Fitting shaped as an inverted A supporting the end of the propeller shaft.
Adrift = Loose; broken away; late.
Afloat = Waterborne.
Aft = Towards the stern.
Ahead = In front of; the direction of the bows.
Amidships = Midway between bow and stern; of the rudder or helm when it is centred (fore-and-aft).
Astern = Behind; in the direction of the stern.
Athwart = Across.
Avast = Stop (e.g. "Avast heaving" —stop heaving).
Awash = Level with the surface of the water.
Aweigh = When the anchor has broken out of sea bed.
Back = Of the wind —when it changes direction against the sun.
Bailer = A small receptacle for removing water from a boat (bailing).
Ballast = Weight placed low down in a vessel to improve stability.
Bar = A shallow area (shoal) across the mouth of a harbour or a river.
Beacon = A mark to assist navigation.
Beam = The width of a boat; the timber on which deck is laid.
Bearing = The direction of one object from another, usually referred to the compass.
Bear Off = To push away from (e.g. the jetty or another boat).
Beaufort Scale = A numerical measure of wind strength.
Before = Towards the bow.
Belay = To secure a rope, or make it fast. (Colloquially, to countermand an order).
Bend = A form of knot.
Berth = Space for sleeping, or for a vessel to dock.
Bight = The middle of a rope (not the ends).
Bilge = The curve of the underwater part of a boat, between the waterline and the keel.
Binnacle = The casing that holds a compass.
Bitts = A pair of vertical posts for securing mooring lines or anchor warps.
Bluff = Steep-to.
Bollard = A vertical post on ship or shore, for securing mooring lines.
Boot-Topping = Painted area along the waterline.
Bowline = A knot that forms a fixed loop.
Bows = The front end of a vessel.
Bowse = To tighten (e.g. a rope, or lashing).
Bring Up = To come to anchor.
Broach = To swing broadside on to the sea.
Bulkheads = Vertical partitions or divisions within a vessel.
Bulwarks = Solid rails around the deck edge.
Bunk = A bed.
Buoy = A float used as a navigational mark, or to take a mooring line.
Burgee = A triangular flag denoting membership of a club, flown at the masthead.
By The Head = A vessel trimmed bow down.
By The Stern = A vessel trimmed stern down.
Cable = Anchor chain; or, as a measure of distance, 1/10 of a nautical mile, i.e. about 200 yards.
Careen = To heel a vessel over to work on her bottom.
Carry Away, To = To break or part.
Carry Way = To continue to move through the water.
Carvel = A method of construction which gives a smooth finish, with planks edge to edge.
Cast Off To, = To let go.
Catamaran = A vessel with two parallel hulls, joined by beams.
Caulk, To = To make a watertight joint in seams between planks.
Cavitation = Vibration and loss of power, caused by aeration of propeller working surfaces.
Centre of Buoyancy = Centre of the immersed volume of a vessel.
Chart = A nautical map.
Chart Datum = The level to which soundings and drying heights on a chart are related.
Check = (Of a rope) to ease out slowly; slowly to stop a vessel's movement.
Chine = The angle between the bottom and topsides in some designs of craft.
Cleat = A fitting for securing ropes.
Clinker = A method of construction where the edge of one plank overlaps the one below it.
Coachroof = A raised structure to improve headroom below deck.
Companion = Ladder or stairway.
Compass = Navigational instrument which indicates a northerly point.
Con, To = To give orders to the helmsman.
Counter = The overhanging portion of the stern.
Course = The direction in which a vessel is heading.
Crown = (Of an anchor) where the arms join the shank.
Crutch = Metal fitting that drops into gunwale of a boat to take an oar.
Davits = Cranes for hoisting boats and tenders.
Dead Reckoning = Calculating position from course steered and distance run.
Deck Head = Underside of the deck.
Deviation = Compass error caused by magnetism of the vessel.
Dip, To = To lower and re-hoist the ensign as a salute.
Displacement = The weight of a vessel (equal to the weight of water she displaces).
Dog Watch = The two two-hour watches from 1600—1800 and 1800-2000.
Draft (or Draught) = The depth of a vessel beneath the water, to the lowest part of the hull.
Ebb = The falling tide.
Echo Sounder = Electronic instrument to measure the depth of water.
Ensign = A vessel's national flag. The British maritime flags are
the red, white or blue ensigns (never the Union Flag).
Fairlead = An opening or fitting for leading a (mooring) rope.
Fairway = A navigable channel.
Fathom = A measurement of depth, equals six feet.
Fender = Used to prevent damage to the ship's side when lying alongside another vessel or a jetty.
Fend Off, To = To push off.
Fiddle = A lip around horizontal surfaces to stop objects falling / sliding off.
Fix = A position found from accurate bearings, or observations of heavenly bodies.
Flood = The rising tide.
Forward = Towards the bow.
Foul = Opposite to "clear", e.g. "foul anchor","foul bottom".
Founder, To = To sink.
Freeboard = The height of the deck above the waterline.
Gale = Wind of force 8 or 9 on the Beaufort scale (34—47 knots).
Galley = The kitchen.
Gimbals = Two pivoted concentric rings that hold items such as compass or lamps level at sea.
Gunwale = The upper edge along the side of a vessel.
Halyard = Rope or wire used to hoist a sail, or flag.
Handsomely = Gently, or slowly.
Hard = A place for beaching boats.
Hard A-Port/Hard A-Starboard = Helm order to use maximum helm in required direction.
Hatchway = A deck opening with a cover (hatch).
Hawse Pipe = A hole or pipe below deck edge, through which the anchor cable runs.
Heads = The lavatory.
Heave-To = To stop, or reduce speed with vessel head to wind.
Heaving Line = A light with a weighted end for establishing contact with another vessel or shore.
Heel = The inclination of a vessel.
Helm = The tiller or wheel.
Hitch, To = To make a rope fast to an object (not another rope).
Holding Ground = The type of bottom for the anchor.
House Flag = A rectangular, personal flag of owner.
Hull = The structure of a boat, to deck level.
Inboard = Towards the middle of a vessel.
Inshore = Towards the shore.
Jury = Makeshift.
Kedge = A light or secondary anchor.
Keel = The lower fore and aft structure of a vessel.
King Spoke = The spoke of steering wheel upright when rudder is centred.
Knot = One nautical mile per hour (speed).
Landfall = First sight of land, approaching from seaward.
Lashing = Securing with rope.
Latitude = Angular measurement of position north or south of equator.
Launch, To = To slip into the water.
Lead (Lead) = Weight on a marked line, used for finding depth of water.
Leeward = The side of vessel further from the wind (opposite to "windward").
Lee Shore = Shore on to which wind is blowing.
Leeway = The sideways movement of a vessel, blown by the wind (to leeward).
Lifeline = Line rigged to stop crew going overboard.
List = Angle of heel.
Log = Instrument for measuring distance run through the water.
Log Book = Record of vessel's movements, positions, etc..
Longitude = Angular measurement east or west of Greenwich meridian.
Loom = The inboard end of an oar; (of a light), reflection in the sky.
Lubber's Line = Fixed mark on compass bowl, showing ship's head.
Make, To = To reach port; (of tides) when range and strength are increasing (from neaps to springs).
Make Water = To leak.
Man = To provide a crew for a certain purpose (e.g. man the pump).
Meridian = A north-south line through any point.
Moor, To = To anchor with two anchors, or secure alongside a quay.
Neaps = When the tide does not rise or fall very much (of "springs").
Nothing To Port (Or Starboard) = Not to steer any further to port (or starboard).
Offing = Distance to seaward.
Overboard = Over the side (into the water).
Overhaul, To = (Of a tackle), to draw the blocks apart.
Painter = The rope secured to the bows of a dinghy or tender, by which it is secured or towed.
Pay Off, To = To allow the ship's head to swing away from the direction of the wind.
Pay Out, To = To ease out a chain or rope.
Pooped = When a vessel is overtaken by a sea which breaks over the stern (poop).
Port (Side) = The left hand side of a vessel looking forward.
Port Tack = When a sailing vessel has the wind blowing from her
port side, and her main boom is to starboard.
Quarter = Midway between the beam and right aft.
Race = A local area of disturbed water.
Radar = Electronic instrument that shows the positions of other objects, (ships, shore, buoys, etc).
Range = (Of cable), to flake down lengths of cable on deck, before anchoring.
(Of tide), the difference in height between successive high and low waters.
Rhumb Line = A course which cuts all meridians at the same
angle (a straight line on a Mercator's chart).
Riding Light = Anchor light.
Rubbing Strake = A piece of wood (usually) secured along the
hull, that takes the wear alongside a jetty.
Samson Post = Post for securing anchor or tow line.
Scantlings = The dimensions of a vessel's timbers (constructional details).
Scuppers = Holes in bulwarks to allow water to drain from deck.
Scuttles = Round openings in vessel's side.
Seacock = A valve on a pipe connected to the sea.
Sheer = The rising line of a vessel's side, towards bow and stern.
Sheer, To = To move a vessel relative to her anchor (e.g. by applying helm in a tideway).
Sheet = Rope used to control a sail's angle to the wind.
Ship. To = To take on board.
Shoal = Shallow area of water.
Shrouds = Athwartships or lateral supports to mast.
Slack Water = When the tidal stream is stationary.
Sound, To = To ascertain the depth.
Spring = Mooring rope led from forward aft, or from aft forward.
Spring Tide = When the range of the tide is greatest (opposite of "neaps").
Starboard = The right hand side of the vessel looking forward.
Starboard Tackle = When a sailing vessel has the wind blowing
from her starboard side, and her main boom is to port.
Stay = Fore and aft support for mast.
Steady = Order to helmsman to maintain the course he is steering.
Steerage Way = When a vessel is moving fast enough- through the water to respond (answer) to her helm.
Stem = The foremost part of the hull.
Surge = To allow a rope to slip round a winch or bollard.
Tabernacle = Deck fitting for the bottom of a mast that can be lowered.
Tack, To = To work a sailing vessel to windward by sailing alternately on port and starboard tacks.
Thwart = Seat running across (athwart) an open boat.
Tidal Stream = The horizontal movement of the sea, caused by the tide.
Tide = The periodic rise and fall in level of the sea, caused by the action of the moon and sun.
Tiller = Bar connected to the rudder for operating same.
Topsides = Surfaces of the hull above the waterline.
Transom = The flat stern of some designs of vessels.
Trick =A period at the wheel.
Turn Up = To make a rope fast.
Under Way = When a vessel is not anchored or secured to the land or shore in any way.
Up and Down = When the anchor cable is vertical.
Veer, To = To pay out anchor cable; (of the wind) when it shifts with the sun.
Wake = Disturbed water astern of a vessel as she moves ahead.
Warp = Rope used for mooring or anchoring, or moving a vessel.
Wash = The waves caused by a vessel's progress through the water.
Watches = Periods of duty for members of the crew.
Weather (Or Windward) = The side of a vessel nearer the wind (opposite to "leeward").
Weigh, To = To raise the anchor.
Wind Rode = When a vessel is lying to the wind (rather than the tide).
Yard = A spar on a mast for spreading a sail.
Yaw, To = To steer an unsteady course.
~~~~~~~~
It is not surprising that mariners have built up their own vocabulary, because many parts
of a boat and the methods of using them have no equivalent ashore.
Communication in boat handling is often very important, so you must learn the
more common terms in order that you can understand and be understood.
The more important parts of a boat are described and illustrated in Fig.6.
Fig.6
1, foredeck: 2, windlass: 3, hatch: 4, cleat: 5, coachroof: 6, sidelights: 7, masthead light:
8, burgee: 9, house flag: 10, cockpit: 11, stern light: 12, ensign: 13, stern: 14, bow: 15, scuttle:
16, side deck: 17, stanchion: 18, guardrail: 19, topsides: 20, gunwale: 21, rubbing strake:
22, fairlead: 23, davit: 24, boot topping: 25, transom.
A GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Abaft = Behind; further aft than.
Abeam = On the beam; at right angles to the fore-and-aft line of the vessel.
Aboard = In or on the vessel; on board.
A-Bracket = Fitting shaped as an inverted A supporting the end of the propeller shaft.
Adrift = Loose; broken away; late.
Afloat = Waterborne.
Aft = Towards the stern.
Ahead = In front of; the direction of the bows.
Amidships = Midway between bow and stern; of the rudder or helm when it is centred (fore-and-aft).
Astern = Behind; in the direction of the stern.
Athwart = Across.
Avast = Stop (e.g. "Avast heaving" —stop heaving).
Awash = Level with the surface of the water.
Aweigh = When the anchor has broken out of sea bed.
Back = Of the wind —when it changes direction against the sun.
Bailer = A small receptacle for removing water from a boat (bailing).
Ballast = Weight placed low down in a vessel to improve stability.
Bar = A shallow area (shoal) across the mouth of a harbour or a river.
Beacon = A mark to assist navigation.
Beam = The width of a boat; the timber on which deck is laid.
Bearing = The direction of one object from another, usually referred to the compass.
Bear Off = To push away from (e.g. the jetty or another boat).
Beaufort Scale = A numerical measure of wind strength.
Before = Towards the bow.
Belay = To secure a rope, or make it fast. (Colloquially, to countermand an order).
Bend = A form of knot.
Berth = Space for sleeping, or for a vessel to dock.
Bight = The middle of a rope (not the ends).
Bilge = The curve of the underwater part of a boat, between the waterline and the keel.
Binnacle = The casing that holds a compass.
Bitts = A pair of vertical posts for securing mooring lines or anchor warps.
Bluff = Steep-to.
Bollard = A vertical post on ship or shore, for securing mooring lines.
Boot-Topping = Painted area along the waterline.
Bowline = A knot that forms a fixed loop.
Bows = The front end of a vessel.
Bowse = To tighten (e.g. a rope, or lashing).
Bring Up = To come to anchor.
Broach = To swing broadside on to the sea.
Bulkheads = Vertical partitions or divisions within a vessel.
Bulwarks = Solid rails around the deck edge.
Bunk = A bed.
Buoy = A float used as a navigational mark, or to take a mooring line.
Burgee = A triangular flag denoting membership of a club, flown at the masthead.
By The Head = A vessel trimmed bow down.
By The Stern = A vessel trimmed stern down.
Cable = Anchor chain; or, as a measure of distance, 1/10 of a nautical mile, i.e. about 200 yards.
Careen = To heel a vessel over to work on her bottom.
Carry Away, To = To break or part.
Carry Way = To continue to move through the water.
Carvel = A method of construction which gives a smooth finish, with planks edge to edge.
Cast Off To, = To let go.
Catamaran = A vessel with two parallel hulls, joined by beams.
Caulk, To = To make a watertight joint in seams between planks.
Cavitation = Vibration and loss of power, caused by aeration of propeller working surfaces.
Centre of Buoyancy = Centre of the immersed volume of a vessel.
Chart = A nautical map.
Chart Datum = The level to which soundings and drying heights on a chart are related.
Check = (Of a rope) to ease out slowly; slowly to stop a vessel's movement.
Chine = The angle between the bottom and topsides in some designs of craft.
Cleat = A fitting for securing ropes.
Clinker = A method of construction where the edge of one plank overlaps the one below it.
Coachroof = A raised structure to improve headroom below deck.
Companion = Ladder or stairway.
Compass = Navigational instrument which indicates a northerly point.
Con, To = To give orders to the helmsman.
Counter = The overhanging portion of the stern.
Course = The direction in which a vessel is heading.
Crown = (Of an anchor) where the arms join the shank.
Crutch = Metal fitting that drops into gunwale of a boat to take an oar.
Davits = Cranes for hoisting boats and tenders.
Dead Reckoning = Calculating position from course steered and distance run.
Deck Head = Underside of the deck.
Deviation = Compass error caused by magnetism of the vessel.
Dip, To = To lower and re-hoist the ensign as a salute.
Displacement = The weight of a vessel (equal to the weight of water she displaces).
Dog Watch = The two two-hour watches from 1600—1800 and 1800-2000.
Draft (or Draught) = The depth of a vessel beneath the water, to the lowest part of the hull.
Ebb = The falling tide.
Echo Sounder = Electronic instrument to measure the depth of water.
Ensign = A vessel's national flag. The British maritime flags are
the red, white or blue ensigns (never the Union Flag).
Fairlead = An opening or fitting for leading a (mooring) rope.
Fairway = A navigable channel.
Fathom = A measurement of depth, equals six feet.
Fender = Used to prevent damage to the ship's side when lying alongside another vessel or a jetty.
Fend Off, To = To push off.
Fiddle = A lip around horizontal surfaces to stop objects falling / sliding off.
Fix = A position found from accurate bearings, or observations of heavenly bodies.
Flood = The rising tide.
Forward = Towards the bow.
Foul = Opposite to "clear", e.g. "foul anchor","foul bottom".
Founder, To = To sink.
Freeboard = The height of the deck above the waterline.
Gale = Wind of force 8 or 9 on the Beaufort scale (34—47 knots).
Galley = The kitchen.
Gimbals = Two pivoted concentric rings that hold items such as compass or lamps level at sea.
Gunwale = The upper edge along the side of a vessel.
Halyard = Rope or wire used to hoist a sail, or flag.
Handsomely = Gently, or slowly.
Hard = A place for beaching boats.
Hard A-Port/Hard A-Starboard = Helm order to use maximum helm in required direction.
Hatchway = A deck opening with a cover (hatch).
Hawse Pipe = A hole or pipe below deck edge, through which the anchor cable runs.
Heads = The lavatory.
Heave-To = To stop, or reduce speed with vessel head to wind.
Heaving Line = A light with a weighted end for establishing contact with another vessel or shore.
Heel = The inclination of a vessel.
Helm = The tiller or wheel.
Hitch, To = To make a rope fast to an object (not another rope).
Holding Ground = The type of bottom for the anchor.
House Flag = A rectangular, personal flag of owner.
Hull = The structure of a boat, to deck level.
Inboard = Towards the middle of a vessel.
Inshore = Towards the shore.
Jury = Makeshift.
Kedge = A light or secondary anchor.
Keel = The lower fore and aft structure of a vessel.
King Spoke = The spoke of steering wheel upright when rudder is centred.
Knot = One nautical mile per hour (speed).
Landfall = First sight of land, approaching from seaward.
Lashing = Securing with rope.
Latitude = Angular measurement of position north or south of equator.
Launch, To = To slip into the water.
Lead (Lead) = Weight on a marked line, used for finding depth of water.
Leeward = The side of vessel further from the wind (opposite to "windward").
Lee Shore = Shore on to which wind is blowing.
Leeway = The sideways movement of a vessel, blown by the wind (to leeward).
Lifeline = Line rigged to stop crew going overboard.
List = Angle of heel.
Log = Instrument for measuring distance run through the water.
Log Book = Record of vessel's movements, positions, etc..
Longitude = Angular measurement east or west of Greenwich meridian.
Loom = The inboard end of an oar; (of a light), reflection in the sky.
Lubber's Line = Fixed mark on compass bowl, showing ship's head.
Make, To = To reach port; (of tides) when range and strength are increasing (from neaps to springs).
Make Water = To leak.
Man = To provide a crew for a certain purpose (e.g. man the pump).
Meridian = A north-south line through any point.
Moor, To = To anchor with two anchors, or secure alongside a quay.
Neaps = When the tide does not rise or fall very much (of "springs").
Nothing To Port (Or Starboard) = Not to steer any further to port (or starboard).
Offing = Distance to seaward.
Overboard = Over the side (into the water).
Overhaul, To = (Of a tackle), to draw the blocks apart.
Painter = The rope secured to the bows of a dinghy or tender, by which it is secured or towed.
Pay Off, To = To allow the ship's head to swing away from the direction of the wind.
Pay Out, To = To ease out a chain or rope.
Pooped = When a vessel is overtaken by a sea which breaks over the stern (poop).
Port (Side) = The left hand side of a vessel looking forward.
Port Tack = When a sailing vessel has the wind blowing from her
port side, and her main boom is to starboard.
Quarter = Midway between the beam and right aft.
Race = A local area of disturbed water.
Radar = Electronic instrument that shows the positions of other objects, (ships, shore, buoys, etc).
Range = (Of cable), to flake down lengths of cable on deck, before anchoring.
(Of tide), the difference in height between successive high and low waters.
Rhumb Line = A course which cuts all meridians at the same
angle (a straight line on a Mercator's chart).
Riding Light = Anchor light.
Rubbing Strake = A piece of wood (usually) secured along the
hull, that takes the wear alongside a jetty.
Samson Post = Post for securing anchor or tow line.
Scantlings = The dimensions of a vessel's timbers (constructional details).
Scuppers = Holes in bulwarks to allow water to drain from deck.
Scuttles = Round openings in vessel's side.
Seacock = A valve on a pipe connected to the sea.
Sheer = The rising line of a vessel's side, towards bow and stern.
Sheer, To = To move a vessel relative to her anchor (e.g. by applying helm in a tideway).
Sheet = Rope used to control a sail's angle to the wind.
Ship. To = To take on board.
Shoal = Shallow area of water.
Shrouds = Athwartships or lateral supports to mast.
Slack Water = When the tidal stream is stationary.
Sound, To = To ascertain the depth.
Spring = Mooring rope led from forward aft, or from aft forward.
Spring Tide = When the range of the tide is greatest (opposite of "neaps").
Starboard = The right hand side of the vessel looking forward.
Starboard Tackle = When a sailing vessel has the wind blowing
from her starboard side, and her main boom is to port.
Stay = Fore and aft support for mast.
Steady = Order to helmsman to maintain the course he is steering.
Steerage Way = When a vessel is moving fast enough- through the water to respond (answer) to her helm.
Stem = The foremost part of the hull.
Surge = To allow a rope to slip round a winch or bollard.
Tabernacle = Deck fitting for the bottom of a mast that can be lowered.
Tack, To = To work a sailing vessel to windward by sailing alternately on port and starboard tacks.
Thwart = Seat running across (athwart) an open boat.
Tidal Stream = The horizontal movement of the sea, caused by the tide.
Tide = The periodic rise and fall in level of the sea, caused by the action of the moon and sun.
Tiller = Bar connected to the rudder for operating same.
Topsides = Surfaces of the hull above the waterline.
Transom = The flat stern of some designs of vessels.
Trick =A period at the wheel.
Turn Up = To make a rope fast.
Under Way = When a vessel is not anchored or secured to the land or shore in any way.
Up and Down = When the anchor cable is vertical.
Veer, To = To pay out anchor cable; (of the wind) when it shifts with the sun.
Wake = Disturbed water astern of a vessel as she moves ahead.
Warp = Rope used for mooring or anchoring, or moving a vessel.
Wash = The waves caused by a vessel's progress through the water.
Watches = Periods of duty for members of the crew.
Weather (Or Windward) = The side of a vessel nearer the wind (opposite to "leeward").
Weigh, To = To raise the anchor.
Wind Rode = When a vessel is lying to the wind (rather than the tide).
Yard = A spar on a mast for spreading a sail.
Yaw, To = To steer an unsteady course.
~~~~~~~~
