Word List: Definitions of Nautical Terms and Ship Parts Tweets by @schrisomalis Nautical Terms Ahoy, mateys! This be a fair and true listing of words having to do with ships and sailing, 225 of them in all. These terms come mainly from the great age of sailing ships, the 16th to 18th centuries, and almost all hail from the two great seafaring peoples of the day, those being the brave English and the most hated Dutch. Be fairly warned: I, being a landlubber of the most scurvy sort, know little of such nautical matters aside from what my word-books tell me, so if there are any sea-dogs out there who would deign to correct me on matters of seaman's cant and jargon, ye should holler from atop the crow's nest of your vessels. Ahoy!

Word hardwood on either side of bowsprit through which forestays are reeved belay to secure a rope by winding on a pin or cleat bilge lower point of inner hull of a ship binnacle case in which a ship's compass is kept bitts posts mounted on a ship for fastening ropes bluepeter blue flag with white square in centre used as ship's signal boatswain ship's crewmember in charge of equipment and maintenance bobstay rope used on ships to steady the bowsprit bollard short post on a wharf or ship to which ropes are tied boltrope strong rope stitched to edges of a sail bosun anchor carried at bow of a ship bowline rope used to keep weather edge of a sail taut bowsprit spar that extends at bows of a ship brails ropes on edge of sail for hauling up bream to clean a ship's bottom by burning off seaweed bulwark the side of a ship above the deck bumpkin spar projecting from stern of ship bunt middle of sail, fish-net or cloth when slack buntline rope attached to middle of square sail to haul it up to the yard burgee small ship's flag used for identification or signalling cable heavy rope or chain for mooring a ship cabotage

 shipping and sailing between points in the same country camber slight arch or convexity to a beam or deck of a ship capstan upright device for winding in heavy ropes or cables careen to turn a ship on its side in order to clean or repair it cathead projection near the bow of a ship to which anchor is secured chine the intersection of the middle and sides of a boat chock metal casting with curved arms for passing ropes for mooring ship clew corner of sail with hole to attach ropes coaming raised edge around ship's hatches to keep water out cocket official shipping seal; customs clearance form cofferdam narrow vacant space between two bulkheads of a ship cog single-masted, square-sailed ship with raised stern companionway stairs from upper deck of ship to lower deck cordage ropes in the rigging of a ship cringle loop at corner of sail to which a line is attached crosstrees horizontal crosspieces at a masthead used to support ship's mast davit device for hoisting and lowering a boat deadeye rounded wooden block with hole used to set up ship's stays deadwood timbers built into ends of ship when too narrow to permit framing demurrage delay of vessel's departure or loading with cargo dodger shield against rain

 or spray on a ship's bridge dogwatch a short, evening period of watch duty on a ship downhaul rope for holding down or hauling down a sail or spar dromond large single-sailed ship powered by rowers dyogram ship's chart indicating compass deflection due to ship's iron earing line for fastening corner of a sail to the gaff or yard ensign part of ship's stern where name is displayed fairlead ring through which rope is led to change its direction without friction fardage wood placed in bottom of ship to keep cargo dry fiddley iron framework around hatchway opening figurehead ornament or (usually female) bust attached to the bow of a ship flagstaff flag pole at stern of a ship fluke part of an anchor that fastens in the ground forebitt post for fastening cables at a ship's foremast forecabin cabin in fore part of ship forecastle short raised deck at fore end of ship; fore of ship under main deck forefoot foremost end of ship's keel foremast mast nearest the bow of a ship foresail lowest sail set on the foremast of square-rigged ship forestay stay leading from the foremast to the bow of a ship frap to draw a sail tight with ropes or

 cables freeboard distance between waterline and main deck of a ship futtock spar on which head of fore-and-aft sail is extended gaff-topsail triangular topsail with its foot extended upon the gaff gangway either of the sides of the upper deck of a ship garboard plank on a shipï¿½s bottom next to the keel genoa large jib that overlaps the mainsail grapnel small anchor used for dragging or grappling groundage a charge on a ship in port gudgeon metal socket into which the pintle of a boat's rudder fits gunnage number of guns carried on a warship gunwale upper edge of the side of a ship gybe to swing a sail from one side to another halyard rope or tackle for hoisting and lowering sails hank series of rings or clips for attaching a jib or staysail to a stay hawse distance between ship's bow and its anchor hawsehole sandstone material used to scrape ships' decks inboard inside the line of a ship's bulwarks or hull jack ship's flag flown from jack-staff at bow of vessel jack-block pulley system for raising topgallant masts jack-cross-tree single iron cross-tree at head of a top

gallant mast jackstaff short staff at ship's bow from which the jack is hoisted jackstay iron or wooden bar running along yard of ship to which sails fastened jackyard spar used to spread the foot of a gaff-topsail jib small triangular sail extending from the head of the foremast jibboom spar forming an extension of the bowsprit jibe to change a ship's course to make the boom shift sides jurymast mast erected on ship in place of one lost kedge small anchor to keep a ship steady keelhaul to punish by dragging under keel of ship keelson lengthwise wooden or steel beam in ship for bearing stress kentledge pig-iron used as ballast in ship's hold lagan cargo jettisoned from ship but marked by buoys for recovery lanyard rope or line for fastening something in a ship larboard left side of a ship lastage room for stowing goods in a ship lateen triangular sail rigged on ship's spar laveer to sail against the wind lazaret space in ship between decks used for storage leeboard wood or metal planes attached to hull to prevent leeway leech a vertical edge of a square sail loxodograph device used to record ship's travels l

uff windward side of a ship; forward edge of fore-and-aft sail lugsail four-sided sail bent to an obliquely hanging yard lutchet fitting on ship's deck to allow mast to pivot to pass under bridges mainmast principal sail on a ship's mainmast mainsheet rope by which mainsail is trimmed and secured mainstay stay that extends from the main-top to the foot of the foremast manrope rope used as a handrail on a ship martingale lower stay of rope used to sustain strain of the forestays mizzen three-masted vessel; aft sail of such a vessel mizzenmast mast aft or next aft of the mainmast in a ship moonraker topmost sail of a ship, above the skyscraper oakum old ropes untwisted for caulking the seams of ships orlop lowest deck in a ship having four or more decks outhaul rope used to haul a sail taut along a spar outrigger spar extended from side of ship to help secure mast painter rope attached to bow of a boat to attach it to a ship or a post pallograph band by which a yard is fastened to a mast patroon captain of a ship; coxswain of a longboat poop enclosed

 structure at stern of ship above main deck port when facing forward, the left side of a ship primage fee paid to loaders for loading ship purser ship's officer in charge of finances and passengers quarterdeck part of ship's deck set aside by captain for ceremonial functions quartering sailing nearly before the wind rake the inclination of a mast or another part of a ship ratline small rope forming a rung of a rope ladder on a ship reef to reduce area of a sail by rolling or folding part of it reeve to pass a rope through a ring roach curved cut in edge of sail for preventing chafing roband piece of yarn used to fasten a sail to a spar rostrum spike on prow of warship for ramming rowlock contrivance serving as a fulcrum for an oar royal small sail on royal mast just above topgallant sail scud to sail swiftly before a gale scupper hole allowing water to drain from shipï¿½s deck scuttlebutt cask of drinking water aboard a ship; rumour, idle gossip scuttles sail on the mast nearest the stern of a square-rigged ship spar any ship's mast, boom, yard, or gaff spinnaker large triangular sail opposite the mains

ail spirketting inside planking between ports and waterways of a ship sponson platform jutting from shipï¿½s deck for gun or wheel sprit spar crossing a fore-and-aft sail diagonally spritsail sail extended by a sprit starboard when facing forward, the right side of a ship starbolins sailors of the starboard watch stay large rope used to support a mast staysail fore-and-aft sail hoisted on a stay steeve to set a ship's bowsprit at an upward inclination stemson supporting timber of a ship stern back part of a ship sternpost main member at stern of a ship extending from keel to deck sternway movement of a ship backwards stevedore dock worker who loads and unloads ships stokehold shipï¿½s furnace chamber strake continuous band of plates on side of a ship stunsail light auxiliary sail to the side of principal sails supercargo ship's official in charge of business affairs taffrail rail round the stern of a ship thole pin in the side of a boat to keep oar in place tiller handle or lever for turning a ship's rudder timberhead top end of ship's timber used above the gunwale timenoguy rope stretched from place

 to place in a ship topgallant mast or sail above the topmast and below the royal mast topmast ship's mast above the lower mast topsail ship's sail above the lowermost sail tranship to transfer from one ship to another transire ship's customs warrant for clearing goods transom transverse timbers attached to ship's sternpost treenail long wooden pin used to fix planks of ship to the timbers trice to haul in and lash secure a sail with a small rope trunnel wooden shipbuilding peg used for fastening timbers trysail ship's sail bent to a gaff and hoisted on a lower mast tuck part of ship where ends of lower planks meet under the stern turtleback structure over shipï¿½s bows or stern unreeve to withdraw a rope from an opening walty inclined to tip over or lean wardroom Bosun | Define Bosun at Dictionary.com bosun Examples from the Web for bosun Expand Historical Examples Noyes noted that the crew laughed more loudly at the bosun's rough jeers than at the more sharply pointed comment of the pump-man.

Wide Courses James Brendan Connolly Get a brick out of the galley, and I'll make you a bosun without pay. Fitz the Filibuster George Manville Fenn One night when Runnles and the bosun were at work, the chisel of the former met with no further obstacle. Humphrey Bold Herbert Strang bosun, if you want it, you can have it, but I tell you straight you got to help me get this ship clean. Bosuns - definition of bosuns by The Free Dictionary Bosuns - definition of bosuns by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia . boat·swain also bo's'n or bos'n or bo·sun (bō′sən) n. A warrant officer or petty officer in charge of a ship's rigging, anchors, cables, and deck crew. [Middle English botswein : bot, boat; see boat + swein, mate; see swain.] Usage Note: The word boatswain is pronounced as a single word with two syllables (bō′sən).

People with sea legs have a long tradition of spelling the word as bosun, bo's'n, and bos'n to reflect the salty pronunciation. This of course has not prevented landlubbers from using the incorrect two-word pronunciation (bōt′swān′). Many other nautical words have similarly tricky shipboard pronunciations, including bowline, pronounced (bō′lĭn); forecastle, pronounced (fōk′səl) and sometimes spelled fo'c's'le; gunwale, pronounced (gŭn′əl) and also sometimes spelled gunnel; mainsail, pronounced (mān′səl); and topgallant, pronounced (tə-găl′ənt). With the exception of gunwale, however, all of these terms can be correctly pronounced as if they were two words. boatswain Bosun's mate - definition of Bosun's mate by The Free Dictionary Bosun's mate - definition of Bosun's mate by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Thesaurus , Encyclopedia , Wikipedia . boat·swain also bo's'n or bos'n or bo·sun (bō′sən) n.

A warrant officer or petty officer in charge of a ship's rigging, anchors, cables, and deck crew. [Middle English botswein : bot, boat; see boat + swein, mate; see swain.] Usage Note: The word boatswain is pronounced as a single word with two syllables (bō′sən). People with sea legs have a long tradition of spelling the word as bosun, bo's'n, and bos'n to reflect the salty pronunciation. This of course has not prevented landlubbers from using the incorrect two-word pronunciation (bōt′swān′). Many other nautical words have similarly tricky shipboard pronunciations, including bowline, pronounced (bō′lĭn); forecastle, pronounced (fōk′səl) and sometimes spelled fo'c's'le; gunwale, pronounced (gŭn′əl) and also sometimes spelled gunnel; mainsail, pronounced (mān′səl); and topgallant, pronounced (tə-găl′ənt). With the exception of gunwale, however, all of these terms can be correctly pronounced as if they were two words.

boatswain The Bosunï¿½s Mate Glossary of Terms January 20th 2017 - 06:47 The Bosunï¿½s Mate Glossary of Terms The Bosunï¿½s Mate dictionary of Nautical Terms has been compiled from many sources and is constantly being augmented and revised in our attempt to capture as much of the rich yet complicated (and often conflicting) maritime termonology as possible. You will find an extensive list of information about all sorts of nautical items from sailorï¿½s knots to the sailors themselves, and from ships to the weather patterns of the seas they ply. Find Terms List of common nautical terms and phrases List of common nautical terms and phrases Main Menu List of common nautical terms and phrases Written by Carlos Alvarez Tuesday, 01 June 2010 15:51 A Above board – On or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything. Abaft – Toward the stern, relative to some object ("abaft the fore hatch"). Abaft the beam – Further aft than the beam: a relative bearing of greater than 90 degrees from the bow: "two points abaft the port beam".

Abeam – On the beam, a relative bearing at right angles to the centerline of the ship's keel . Adrift – Afloat and unattached in any way to the shore or seabed, but not under way. It implies that a vessel is not under control and therefore goes where the wind and current take her (loose from moorings, or out of place). Also refers to any gear not fastened down or put away properly. It can also be used to mean "absent without leave". Aft – Towards the stern (of the vessel). Aground – Resting on or touching the ground or bottom (usually involuntarily). Ahead – Forward of the bow. Ahoy – A cry to draw attention. Term used to hail a boat or a ship, as "Boat ahoy!" Aid to Navigation – (ATON) Any device external to a vessel or aircraft specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course, or to warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation. Aloft – In the rigging of a sailing ship. Above the ship's uppermost solid structure; overhead or high above. Alongside – By the side of a ship or pier.

Amidships (or midships) – In the middle portion of ship, along the line of the keel. Anchor – An object designed to prevent or slow the drift of a ship, attached to the ship by a line or chain; typically a metal , hook-like or plough-like object designed to grip the bottom under the body of water (but also see sea anchor). Anchorage – A suitable place for a ship to anchor. Area of a port or harbor. Anchor ball – Round black shape hoisted in the forepart of a vessel to show that it is anchored. Anchor buoy – A small buoy secured by a light line to anchor to indicate position of anchor on bottom. Anchor light – White light displayed by a ship at anchor. Two such lights are displayed by a ship over 150 feet (46 m) in length. Anchor rode – The anchor line, rope or cable connecting the anchor chain to the vessel. Also Rode. Arc of Visibility – The portion of the horizon over which a lighted aid to navigation is visible from seaward. Ashore – On the beach, shore or land. Astern – towards the stern (rear) of a vessel, behind a vessel.

Asylum Harbour – A harbour used to provide shelter from a storm. Athwart, athwartships – At right angles to the fore and aft or centerline of a ship Avast – Stop! Cease or desist from whatever is being done. Awash – So low in the water that the water is constantly washing across the surface. Aweigh – Position of an anchor just clear of the bottom. B Backstays – Long lines or cables, reaching from the stern of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast. Batten down the hatches – To prepare for inclement weather. Beaching – Deliberately running a vessel aground, to load and unload (as with landing craft ), or sometimes to prevent a damaged vessel sinking. Beacon – A lighted or unlighted fixed aid to navigation attached directly to the earth’s surface. (Lights and daybeacons both constitute beacons.) Beam – The width of a vessel at the widest point, or a point alongside the ship at the mid-point of its length. Beam ends – The sides of a ship.

"On her beam ends" may mean the vessel is literally on her side and possibly about to capsize; more often, the phrase means the vessel is listing 45 degrees or more. Bearing – The horizontal direction of a line of sight between two objects on the surface of the earth. See also "absolute bearing" and "relative bearing". Bend – A knot used to join two ropes or lines. Also see hitch. Bight (pronounced /ˈbaɪt/ ) – Bilge – The bilge is the compartment at the bottom of the hull of a ship or boat where water collects so that it may be pumped out of the vessel at a later time. Bimini top – Open-front canvas top for the cockpit of a boat, usually supported by a metal frame. Binnacle – The stand on which the ship's compass is mounted. Bitt – A post mounted on the ship's bow, for fastening ropes or cables. Bitter end – The anchor cable is tied to the bitts, when the cable is fully paid out, the bitter end has been reached. The last part of a rope or cable. Block – A pulley or set of pulleys.

Boat-hook – A pole with a hook on the end, used to reach into the water to catch buoys or other floating objects. Boatswain or bosun (both pronounced /ˈboʊsən/ ) – A non-commissioned officer responsible for the sails, ropes and boats on a ship who issues "piped" commands to seamen. Bollard – From 'bol' or 'bole', the round trunk of a tree. A substantial vertical pillar to which lines may be made fast. Generally on the quayside rather than the ship. Booby – A type of bird that has little fear and therefore is particularly easy to catch. Booby hatch – A sliding hatch or cover. Bow – The front of a ship. Bowline – A type of knot, producing a strong loop of a fixed size, topologically similar to a sheet bend. Also a rope attached to the side of a sail to pull it towards the bow (for keeping the windward edge of the sail steady). Bowsprit – A spar projecting from the bow used as an anchor for the forestay and other rigging.

Bow thruster – A small propeller or water-jet at the bow, used for manoeuvring larger vessels at slow speed. May be mounted externally, or in a tunnel running through the bow from side to side. Breakwater — A structure built on the forecastle of a ship intended to divert water away from the forward superstructure or gun mounts. Bridge – A structure above the weather deck, extending the full width of the vessel, which houses a command centre, itself called by association, the bridge. Bulkhead – An upright wall within the hull of a ship. Particularly a watertight, load-bearing wall. Bulwark (pronounced /ˈbʊlək/ in nautical use) – The extension of the ship's side above the level of the weather deck. Buoy – A floating object of defined shape and color, which is anchored at a given position and serves as an aid to navigation. Burgee - A small flag, typically triangular, flown from the masthead of a yacht to indicate yacht-club membership. By and large – By means into the wind, while large means with the wind. "By and large" is used to indicate all possible situations "the ship handles well both by and large".

C Cabin – an enclosed room on a deck or flat. Cable – A large rope. Canoe stern – A design for the stern of a yacht which is pointed, like a bow, rather than squared off as a transom. Capsize – When a ship or boat lists too far and rolls over, exposing the keel. On large vessels, this often results in the sinking of the ship. Capstan – A large winch with a vertical axis. A full-sized human-powered capstan is a waist-high cylindrical machine, operated by a number of hands who each insert a horizontal capstan bar in holes in the capstan and walk in a circle. Used to wind in anchors or other heavy objects; and sometimes to administer flogging over. Cardinal – Referring to the four main points of the compass: north, south, east and west. See also "bearing". Careening – Tilting a ship on its side, usually when beached, to clean or repair the hull below the water line. Catamaran – A vessel with two hulls. Cat o' nine tails – A short nine-tailed whip kept by the bosun's mate to flog sailors (and soldiers in the Army).

When not in use, the cat was kept in a baize bag, hence the term "cat out of the bag". "Not enough room to swing a cat" also derives from this. Chafing – Wear on line or sail caused by constant rubbing against another surface. Chafing gear – Material applied to a line or spar to prevent or reduce chafing. Chain locker – A space in the forward part of the ship, typically beneath the bow in front of the foremost collision bulkhead, that contains the anchor chain when the anchor is secured for sea. Chine – Where a vertical hull section meets a horizontal section sharply. On planing hulls these are strategically placed to create lift. Chock – Hole or ring attached to the hull to guide a line via that point Cleat – A stationary device used to secure a rope aboard a vessel. Coaming – The raised edge of a hatch, cockpit or skylight to help keep out water. Companionway – A raised and windowed hatchway in the ship's deck , with a ladder leading below and the hooded entrance-hatch to the main cabins. Compass – Navigational instrument showing the direction of the vessel in relation to the Earth's geographical poles or magnetic poles .

Commonly consists of a magnet aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, but other technologies have also been developed, such as the gyrocompass . Corrector – A device to correct the ship's compass, for example counteracting errors due to the magnetic effects of a steel hull. Counter – The part of the stern above the waterline that extends beyond the rudder stock culminating in a small transom. A long counter increases the waterline length when the boat is heeled, so increasing hull speed. Cuddy – A small cabin in a boat. Cunt splice or cut splice – A join between two lines, similar to an eye-splice, where each rope end is joined to the other a short distance along, making an opening which closes under tension. D Daggerboard – A type of light centerboard that is lifted vertically; often in pairs, with the leeward one lowered when beating. Day beacon – An unlighted fixed structure which is equipped with a dayboard for daytime identification. Dayboard – The daytime identifier of an aid to navigation presenting one of several standard shapes (square, triangle, rectangle) and colors (red, green, white, orange, yellow, or black).

Deadrise – The design angle between the keel (q.v.) and horizontal. Decks – the structures forming the approximately horizontal surfaces in the ship's general structure. Unlike flats, they are a structural part of the ship. Directional light – A light illuminating a sector or very narrow angle and intended to mark a direction to be followed. Displacement – The weight of water displaced by the immersed volume of a ship's hull, exactly equivalent to the weight of the whole ship. Displacement hull – A hull designed to travel through the water, rather than planing over it. Draft or draught (both pronounced /ˈdrɑːft/ ) – The depth of a ship's keel below the waterline. E Echo sounding – Measuring the depth of the water using a sonar device. Also see sounding and swinging the lead. Extremis – (also known as “in extremis”) the point under International Rules of the Road ( Navigation Rules ) at which the privileged (or stand-on) vessel on collision course with a burdened (or give-way) vessel determines it must maneuver to avoid a collision. Prior to extremis, the privileged vessel must maintain course and speed and the burdened vessel must maneuver to avoid collision.

F Fair – Make a surface smooth and/or flush, or a line that runs clear of obstructions or surfaces. Fairlead – A ring, hook or other device used to keep a line or chain running in the correct direction or to prevent it rubbing or fouling. Fast – Fastened or held firmly (fast aground: stuck on the seabed; made fast: tied securely). Fathom (pronounced /ˈfæðəm/ ) – A unit of length equal to 6 feet (1.8 m), roughly measured as the distance between a man's outstretched hands. Particularly used to measure depth. Fender – An air or foam filled bumper used in boating to keep boats from banging into docks or each other. Fid – A tapered wooden tool used for separating the strands of rope for splicing. Fixed propeller – A propeller mounted on a rigid shaft protruding from the hull of a vessel, usually driven by an inboard motor; steering must be done using a rudder. See also outboard motor and sterndrive. Flank – The maximum speed of a ship. Faster than "full speed". Flare – 1. A curvature of the topsides outward towards the gunwale.

2. A pyrotechnic signalling device, usually used to indicate distress. Flotsam – Debris or cargo that remains afloat after a shipwreck. See also jetsam . Fluke – The wedge-shaped part of an anchor's arms that digs into the bottom. Folding propeller – A propeller with folding blades, furling to reduce drag on a sailing vessel when not in use. Following sea – Wave or tidal movement going in the same direction as a ship Fore, foreward (pronounced /ˈfɒrərd/ , and often written "for'ard") – Towards the bow (of the vessel). Forestays – Long lines or cables, reaching from the bow of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast. Foul – The opposite of clear or fair. For instance, a rope is foul when it does nor run straight or smoothly, and an anchor is foul when it is caught on an obstruction. Founder – To fill with water and sink → Founder (Wiktionary) Freeboard – The height of a ship's hull (excluding superstructure) above the waterline. The vertical distance from the current waterline to the lowest point on the highest continuous watertight deck.

This usually varies from one part to another. Furl – To roll or gather a sail against its mast or spar. G 1. The spar that holds the upper edge of a four-sided fore-and-aft mounted sail. 2. A hook on a long pole to haul fish in. Galley – the kitchen of the ship Gangplank – A movable bridge used in boarding or leaving a ship at a pier; also known as a "brow". Gangway – An opening in the bulwark of the ship to allow passengers to board or leave the ship. Give-way (vessel) – Where two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve a risk of collision, this is the vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of the other. Global Positioning System – (GPS) A satellite based radionavigation system providing continuous worldwide coverage. It provides navigation, position, and timing information to air, marine, and land users. Grog – Watered-down pusser's rum consisting of half a gill with equal part of water, issued to all seamen over twenty.

(CPOs and POs were issued with neat rum) From the British Admiral Vernon who, in 1740, ordered the men's ration of rum to be watered down. He was called "Old Grogram" because he often wore a grogram coat), and the watered rum came to be called 'grog'. Often used (illegally) as currency in exchange for favours in quantities prescribed as 'sippers' and 'gulpers'. Additional issues of grog were made on the command ' splice the mainbrace ' for celebrations or as a reward for performing especially onerous duties. The RN discontinued the practice of issuing rum in 1970. A sailor might repay a colleague for a favour by giving him part or all of his grog ration, ranging from "sippers" (a small amount) via "gulpers" (a larger quantity) to "grounders" (the entire tot). Groggy – Drunk from having consumed a lot of grog. Ground – The bed of the sea. Grounding – When a ship (while afloat) touches the bed of the sea, or goes "aground" (qv).

Gunwale (pronounced /ˈɡʌnəl/ , "gun'll") – Upper edge of the hull. H Halyard or halliard – Originally, ropes used for hoisting a spar with a sail attached; today, a line used to raise the head of any sail. Harbor – A harbor or harbour, or haven, is a place where ships may shelter from the weather or are stored. Harbours can be man-made or natural. Hard – A section of otherwise muddy shoreline suitable for mooring or hauling out. Hatchway, hatch – A covered opening in a ship's deck through which cargo can be loaded or access made to a lower deck; the cover to the opening is called a hatch. Hawse pipe, hawse-hole or hawse (pronounced /ˈhɔːz/ ) – The shaft or hole in the side of a vessel's bow through which the anchor chain passes. Hawser – Large rope used for mooring or towing a vessel. Head – The toilet or latrine of a vessel, which in sailing ships projected from the bows Heave – A vessel's transient, vertical, up-and-down motion.

Heaving to – Stopping a sailing vessel by lashing the helm in opposition to the sails. The vessel will gradually drift to leeward, the speed of the drift depending on the vessel's design. Heeling – Heeling is the lean caused by the wind's force on the sails of a sailing vessel. Helmsman – A person who steers a ship Hitch – A knot used to tie a rope or line to a fixed object. Also see bend. Hull – The shell and framework of the basic flotation-oriented part of a ship. Hull-down – Of a vessel when only its upper parts are visible over the horizon. Hull speed – The maximum efficient speed of a displacement-hulled vessel. I Inboard motor – An engine mounted within the hull of a vessel, usually driving a fixed propeller by a shaft protruding through the stern. Generally used on larger vessels. Also see sterndrive and outboard motor. Inboard-Outboard (I/O) drive – See sterndrive. In-water survey – a method of surveying the underwater parts of a ship while it is still afloat instead of having to drydock it for examination of these areas as was conventionally done.

J Jacklines or jack stays – Lines, often steel wire with a plastic jacket, from the bow to the stern on both port and starboard. The Jack Lines are used to clip on the safety harness to secure the crew to the vessel while giving them the freedom to walk on the deck. Jetsam – Debris ejected from a ship that sinks or washes ashore. See also flotsam . K Keel – The central structural basis of the hull Keelhauling – Maritime punishment: to punish by dragging under the keel of a ship. Knockdown The condition of a sailboat being pushed abruptly to horizontal, with the mast parallel to the water surface. Knot – A unit of speed: 1 nautical mile (1.8520 km; 1.1508 mi) per hour. Originally speed was measured by paying out a line from the stern of a moving boat. The line had a knot every 47 feet 3 inches (14.40 m), and the number of knots passed out in 30 seconds gave the speed through the water in nautical miles per hour.

Know the ropes – A sailor who 'knows the ropes' is familiar with the miles of cordage and ropes involved in running a ship. L Land lubber – A person unfamiliar with being on the sea. Lanyard – A rope that ties something off. Lateral system – A system of aids to navigation in which characteristics of buoys and beacons indicate the sides of the channel or route relative to a conventional direction of buoyage (usually upstream). Lay – To come and go, used in giving orders to the crew, such as "lay forward" or "lay aloft". To direct the course of vessel. Also, to twist the strands of a rope together. Lee side – The side of a ship sheltered from the wind (cf. weather side). Lee shore – A shore downwind of a ship. A ship which cannot sail well to windward risks being blown onto a lee shore and grounded. Leeway – The amount that a ship is blown leeward by the wind. See also weatherly. Leeward (pronounced /ˈluːərd/ in nautical use) – In the direction that the wind is blowing towards. Length overall , LOA – the length of a ship.

Lifebelt , lifejacket, life preserver or Mae West – A device such as a buoyant ring or inflatable jacket which keeps a person afloat in the water. Lifeboat – 1. Shipboard lifeboat , kept on board a vessel and used to take crew and passengers to safety in the event of the ship being abandoned. 2. Rescue lifeboat , usually launched from shore, used to rescue people from the water or from vessels in difficulty. Lifeline – A metal cable, usually coated with vinyl, which surrounds the vessel and helps keep crew from falling overboard. Similar to a railing. Liferaft – An inflatable, covered raft, used in the event of a vessel being abandoned. Line – the correct nautical term for the majority of the cordage or "ropes" used on a vessel. A line will always have a more specific name, such as mizzen topsail halyard , which describes its use. List – The vessel's angle of lean or tilt to one side, in the direction called roll. Typically refers to a lean caused by flooding or improperly loaded or shifted cargo (as opposed to 'heeling', which see).

Loaded to the gunwales – Literally, having cargo loaded as high as the ship's rail; also means extremely drunk. Lubber line – A vertical line inside a compass case indicating the direction of the ship's head. M Mae West – A Second World War personal flotation device used to keep people afloat in the water; named after the 1930s actress Mae West, well-known for her large bosom. Magnetic bearing – An absolute bearing using magnetic north. Magnetic north – The direction towards the North Magnetic Pole . Varies slowly over time. Making way – When a vessel is moving under its own power. Marina – a docking facility for small ships and yachts. Marlinspike – A tool used in ropework for tasks such as unlaying rope for splicing, untying knots, or forming a makeshift handle. Master – Either the commander of commercial vessel, or a senior officer of a naval sailing ship in charge of routine seamanship and navigation but not in command during combat. Mess – An eating place aboard ship. A group of crew who live and feed together. Monkey's fist – a ball woven out of line used to provide heft to heave the line to another location.

The monkey fist and other heaving-line knots were sometimes weighted with lead. Moor – to attach a boat to a mooring buoy or post. Also, to a dock a ship. N Nautical mile – A distance of 1.852 kilometres (1.151 mi). Approximately the distance of one minute of arc of latitude on the Earth's surface. A speed of one nautical mile per hour is called a knot. Navigation rules – Rules of the road that provide guidance on how to avoid collision and also used to assign blame when a collision does occur. O Outboard motor – A motor mounted externally on the transom of a small boat. The boat may be steered by twisting the whole motor, instead of or in addition to using a rudder. Outdrive – The lower part of a sterndrive. Outward bound – To leave the safety of port, heading for the open ocean. Overwhelmed – Capsized or foundered. P Pennant – A long, thin triangular flag flown from the masthead of a military ship (as opposed to a burgee , the flags thus flown on yachts). Pilot – Navigator. A specially knowledgeable person qualified to navigate a vessel through difficult waters, e.g.

harbor pilot etc. Pitch – A vessel's motion, rotating about the beam/transverse axis, causing the fore and aft ends to rise and fall repetitively. Pitchpole – To capsize a boat end over end, rather than by rolling over. Planing – When a fast-moving vessel skims over the water instead of pushing through it. 1. Swamped by a high, following sea. 2. Exhausted. Port – Towards the left-hand side of the ship facing forward (formerly Larboard). Denoted with a red light at night. Porthole or port – an opening in a ship's side, esp. a round one for admitting light and air, fitted with thick glass and, often, a hinged metal cover, a window Port tack – When sailing with the wind coming from the port side of the vessel. Must give way to boats on starboard tack. Propeller walk or prop walk – tendency for a propeller to push the stern sideways. In theory a right hand propeller in reverse will walk the stern to port. Q Quarterdeck – The aftermost deck of a warship. In the age of sail, the quarterdeck was the preserve of the ship's officers.

Quayside – Refers to the dock or platform used to fasten a vessel to R Radar – Acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging. An electronic system designed to transmit radio signals and receive reflected images of those signals from a "target" in order to determine the bearing and distance to the "target". Radar reflector – A special fixture fitted to a vessel or incorporated into the design of certain aids to navigation to enhance their ability to reflect radar energy. In general, these fixtures will materially improve the visibility for use by vessels with radar. Railing – A metal tube on powerboats and some sailboats that keeps crew from falling overboard. Similar function to lifelines on a sailboat. Range lights – Two lights associated to form a range (a line formed by the extension of a line connecting two charted points) which often, but not necessarily, indicates the channel centerline. The front range light is the lower of the two, and nearer to the mariner using the range. The rear light is higher and further from the mariner. Reef 1. Reef : To temporarily reduce the area of a sail exposed to the wind, usually to guard against adverse effects of strong wind or to slow the vessel. 2.

Reef : Rock or coral, possibly only revealed at low tide, shallow enough that the vessel will at least touch if not go aground. Relative bearing – A bearing relative to the direction of the ship: the clockwise angle between the ship's direction and an object. See also absolute bearing and bearing. Rigging – The system of masts and lines on ships and other sailing vessels. Rode – The anchor line, rope or cable connecting the anchor chain to the vessel. Also Anchor Rode. Roll – A vessel's motion rotating from side to side, about the fore-aft/longitudinal axis. List (qv) is a lasting tilt in the roll direction. The ropes – the lines in the rigging. S Sampson post – A strong vertical post used to support a ship 's windlass and the heel of a ship's bowsprit . Scuppers – Originally a series of pipes fitted through the ships side from inside the thicker deck waterway to the topside planking to drain water overboard, larger quantities drained through freeing ports, which were openings in the bulwarks. Scuttle – A small opening, or lid thereof, in a ship's deck or hull.

Scuttling – Cutting a hole in an object or vessel, especially in order to sink a vessel deliberately. Sea anchor – A stabilizer deployed in the water for heaving to in heavy weather. It acts as a brake and keeps the hull in line with the wind and perpendicular to waves. Often in the form of a large bag made of heavy canvas. Skipper – The captain of a ship. Slush fund – The money obtained by the cook selling slush ashore. Used for the benefit of the crew (or the cook). Sonar – A method of using sound pulses to detect, range and sometime image underwater targets and obstacles, or the bed of the sea. Sounding – Measuring the depth of the water. Traditionally done by swinging the lead, now commonly by echo sounding . Spring – A line used parallel to that of the length of a craft, to prevent fore-aft motion of a boat, when moored or docked. Splice – To join lines (ropes, cables etc.) by unravelling their ends and intertwining them to form a continuous line. To form an eye or a knot by splicing. Square meal – A sufficient quantity of food.

Meals on board ship were served to the crew on a square wooden plate in harbor or at sea in good weather. Food in the Royal Navy was invariably better or at least in greater quantity than that available to the average landsman. However, while square wooden plates were indeed used on board ship, there is no established link between them and this particular term. The OED gives the earliest reference from the U.S. in the mid 19th century. Squared away – Yards held rigidly perpendicular to their masts and parallel to the deck. This was rarely the best trim of the yards for efficiency but made a pretty sight for inspections and in harbor. The term is applied to situations and to people figuratively to mean that all difficulties have been resolved or that the person is performing well and is mentally and physically prepared. Stanchion – vertical post near a deck's edge that supports life-lines. A timber fitted in between the frame heads on a wooden hull or a bracket on a steel vessel, approx one meter high, to support the bulwark plank or plating and the rail . Stand-on (vessel) – A vessel directed to keep her course and speed where two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve a risk of collision.

Starboard – Towards the right-hand side of a vessel facing forward. Denoted with a green light at night. Derived from the old steering oar or steerboard which preceded the invention of the rudder. Stem – The extension of keel at the forward end of a ship. Stern – The rear part of a ship, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter to the taffrail. Sterndrive – A propeller drive system similar to the lower part of an outboard motor extending below the hull of a larger power boat or yacht, but driven by an engine mounted within the hull. Unlike a fixed propeller (but like an outboard), the boat may be steered by twisting the drive. Also see inboard motor and outboard motor. Stopper knot – A knot tied in the end of a rope, usually to stop it passing through a hole; most commonly a figure-eight knot . Strake – One of the overlapping boards in a clinker built hull. Swinging the compass – Measuring the accuracy in a ship's magnetic compass so its readings can be adjusted – often by turning the ship and taking bearings on reference points. T Tack - 1.

A leg of the route of a sailing vessel, particularly in relation to tacking (qv) and to starboard tack and port tack (also qv). 2. Hard tack: qv. Tacking - 1. Zig-zagging so as to sail directly towards the wind (and for some rigs also away from it). 2. Going about (qv). Three sheets to the wind – On a three-masted ship, having the sheets of the three lower courses loose will result in the ship meandering aimlessly downwind. Also, a sailor who has drunk strong spirits beyond his capacity. Tiller – a lever used for steering, attached to the top of the rudder post. Used mainly on smaller vessels, such as dinghies and rowing boats. Toe-rail – A low strip running around the edge of the deck like a low bulwark. It may be shortened or have gaps in it to allow water to flow off the deck. Topsides – the part of the hull between the waterline and the deck. Also, Above-water hull Towing – The operation of drawing a vessel forward by means of long lines. Traffic Separation Scheme – Shipping corridors marked by buoys which separate incoming from outgoing vessels.

Improperly called Sea Lanes. Transom – a more or less flat surface across the stern of a vessel. Dinghies tend to have almost vertical transoms, whereas yachts’ transoms may be raked forward or aft. Trim – Relationship of ship's hull to waterline. True bearing – An absolute bearing using true north. True north – The direction of the geographical North Pole . Turn – A knot passing behind or around an object. Turtling – The condition of a sailboat's (in particular a dinghy's) capsizing to a point where the mast is pointed straight down and the hull is on the surface resembling a turtle shell. U Under way – A vessel that is moving under control: that is, neither at anchor, made fast to the shore, aground nor adrift. V Vanishing angle – The maximum degree of heel after which a vessel becomes unable to return to an upright position. V-hull – The shape of a boat or ship which the shape of the hull comes to a straight line to the keel. W Nautical Terms and Slang NAUTICAL TERMS AND SLANG Able Seaman AIS Automatic Identification System.

Electronically exchanges ship data including: ID, position, course, and speed, with other nearby ships and VTS stations AZIMUTH THRUSTER Steerable thruster that protrudes below the vessel with the ability to rotate through nearly 360ï¿½ AZIPOD Steerable thruster with electric propulsion motor installed within the pod outside the ship's hull BAMBOO TICKET Certificate of Competency obtained in Hong Kong BELLY ROBBER Insulting name for a Chief Steward BILGE KEEL A strake running along the ship's sides at the turn of the bilge, to reduce rolling of vessel BINNACLE The pedestal where the magnetic compass is mounted BITTER END The end of a rope that is tied off, hence the expression "to the bitter end". A bitt is a metal block with a cross-pin used for tying lines to, found on docks. BITTER END Also refers to the end link of an anchor chain where it is attached in the chain locker. BLACK GANG Boiler room firemen, who originally stoked the boilers with coal BLUE STAR WELLIES B.O.T. contraceptives issued on board. With a sensitivity rating equivalent to a wellington boot.

BOARD OF TRADE ACQUAINTANCE Friend of another person that had sailed with. i.e. Signed on BOT articles BOARD OF TRADE SPORTS Fire, emergency and lifeboat drills BOTTOM PLATES The plates surrounding a large main engine at crankcase door level, above the tank tops BOX BOAT Bulkhead (partition), a wall within the hull of a ship, side of tank or compartment BULKHEAD DYNAMO Oil lamp, refers to when ship's generators were often shut down in port at night/or and unreliable BUNK BOARD Loose board that was placed down outside of bunk in heavy weather to prevent occupant falling out BUNKERING To load fuel oil from ashore or from a bunkering barge BURGOO In the British Royal Navy, refers to a thick oatmeal gruel or porridge BURMA ROAD Access alleyways below main deck, either side of hatches on a container ship running full length of ship CHAIN LOCKER A compartment usually at the forward end of a ship which is used to store the anchor chain CHIPPY A rope block heaved to its full extent. CHUNDER Originates from when seasick sailors would stick their head out of a porthole.

As they did this they would shout "Watch Under" CHUNDER BOX Toilet CONNY ONNY Tinned Condensed Milk, probably from Liverpool slang. Normally watered down to resemble fresh milk before frozen homogenized milk was available. CROW'S NEST A structure in the upper part of the mainmast of a ship that is used as a lookout point DECKHEAD A deckhead is the underside of a deck in a ship. As a ceiling to the room of a house. DECKHEAD INSPECTION All wings and legs served to lesser mortals after Passengers and Senior Officers were satisfied DHOBI To wash clothing or linen. Origin from Indian sub-continent where a Dhobi is a washerman DHOBI DUST Washing powder DHOBI RASH Tinea cruris, fungal skin infection of the groin often mistakenly supposed from not rinsing clothes enough, but actually due to excess sweating DOCKING BOTTLE Bottle of Duty Free Liquor purchased from bond before entering port DODGER Wind brake fitted to the front of bridge wings to deflect wind and rain from watch-keeper's face DONKEY BOILER Originally a boiler on deck to provide steam for sail winches.

Now a synonym for an auxiliary boiler DONKEYMAN Engine room rating that operated the donkey (auxiliary) boiler. DOSE Sexually transmitted disease DPS Dynamic positioning system, a means to automatically maintain a shipï¿½s position and heading by using her own propellers and thrusters DR Seaman's Book Entry, Declined to report which was really bad DUCT KEEL Box structure running from the forward engine room bulkhead to the collision bulkhead and are utilized to carry pipelines and cables DUNNAGE Timber used in the stowage of cargo to prevent damage to ship and cargo. Air-bags are commonly used today. EPIRB Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon FARMER Third AB on a Bridge watch. So named because he was paid for doing "very" little FIDDLES Frames around dining tables and galley stoves to prevent items spilling onto the deck in rough weather FIELD DAY A day when all were turned to, to carry out a task (normally unpleasant). In the Navy, "field day" refers to a thorough cleaning of the ship's spaces Fo'c'sle Alternative spelling for forecastle.

The foremost part of the upper deck FORECASTLE The foremost part of the upper deck FORCED DRAFT JOB A generously proportioned young lady GADGET Another name for toilet which used to be situated at the bow HEAVY LIFT JOB A generously proportioned young lady HEAVY LIFT SHIP Heavy Lift ships are specifically designed to carry heavy or oversized cargo, such as Starman America HOLYSTONE Large block of sandstone used to scrub wooden sheathed decks IMARSAT Inmarsat plc is an international telecommunications company operating system of geosynchronous telecommunications satellites IN THE OFFING Vessels awaiting entry to a port, sometimes, due to adverse wind conditions would stand OFF the land and sail back and forth till a berth was available. IRISH PENNENT Any loose whipping or halyard flapping aloft which offends the eye of the Bridge Officer JASPER Blaberus giganteus or the giant cockroach KEEL A structural keel is a large beam around which the hull of a ship is built KNOCK OFF Another name for "hair of the dog".

Recovery drink after a night ashore LOGGING Up in front of the Skipper to get a bollocking and your name in the log book and the loss of TWO days pay MIDDLE PLATES The floor plates surrounding a large main engine half way up MONKEYS FIST End knot for a heaving line MONKEY ISLAND Ship's upper bridge, or deck above bridge on modern vessel NAVTEX Automated system for instantly distributing maritime navigational warnings, weather forecasts and warnings NETTY Once commonly used in South Shields to describe the toilet. Originally were the nets spread forward at the bow to be used by the crew as a toilet area. OLD MAN Indicates the draft of the ship and the legal limit to which a ship may be loaded for specific water types and temperatures PROFESSIONAL THIRD Third Engineer with years of experience, but no Certificate so unable to progress to Second Engineer. POET'S DAY Friday. P**s Off Early Tomorrows Saturday PUNCHING THE TUBES Cleaning boiler tubes RADAR Radio Detection and Ranging. Radar is a system that uses electromagnetic waves to identify the range, direction and speed of both moving and fixed objects RDF Radio Direction Finder.

A radio receiver for finding the direction to a radio source RING BOLTERS The illegal practice of the crew carrying girl friends between New Zealand ports ROCK DODGING On a Home Trade run ROUND TURN Manoeuvre carried out in emergency to avoid collision and to rapidly slow vessel. S.A.R.T. Search and Rescue Transponder . Device used to locate survival craft or distressed vessels by creating a series of dots on a rescuing ship's 3 cm radar display SAT C Leader of "party" girls from ashore SHORT ARM INSPECTION Medical inspection for sexually transmitted disease. Normally carried out in the USA and Australia SHOW A LEG Wake up, R.N. term from when shore women slept onboard. The owner of a hairy leg would be "started" by the Bosun. SKY PILOT Priest / Seaman's Mission Padre SMOKO Tea or coffee break. Refers to when 90% sailors smoked tobacco and could smoke during break times SOOGIE (SOOGEE) Caustic soda in solution with other detergent for cleaning paintwork. Also a verb meaning to clean SPURLING PIPE Steel pipe through which anchor cable passes and leads down to the chain locker SPARKY Radio Officer SUB An advance against one's wages, esp.

one granted as a subsistence allowance. From when wages were paid at the end of a voyage. STEM The upright member mounted on the forward end of a vessel's keel, to which the strakes are attached STRAKE Steel plating on the exterior hull of a vessel, running longitudinally along the vessel from the stem to the stern TABNABS Small items of food offered at break times, such as biscuits and cakes normally made by the ship's baker TANGLEMATIC Twin tub washing machine. Named in desperation after the effect it had on your washing! TANK TOP Normally refers to the top of a double bottom tank, which in the case of an engine room is equivalent to floor THE CHANNELS A state of high euphoria when almost home to see family/friends after a long trip! With ref. to English Channel THUNDERBOX Toilet hung over the stern of a vessel TICKET Certificate of Competency. i.e. Master's Certificate, Chief Engineer's Certificate etc. TIGER Captain's Steward TONNAGE HATCH A small hatch, normally aft on shelter-deck vessel. Related to old Tonnage Regulations and theoretically could not be watertight.

TOP END SPANNER Start work TWEEN DECK Deck(s) below the main deck. Originally on sailing ships open to weather and used for cargo or steerage passengers UHF Ultra High Frequency radio. Generally used for onboard communications and between ship and oil rigs/platforms etc. VHF Very High Frequency radio. Used for short range ship to ship and ship to shore communications VNC Seaman's Book Entry, Voyage not completed. On occasions seaman had jumped ship or discharged for some other reason. WAISTERS Press ganged land lubbers no use as sailors or aloft splicing etc, used only in the waist of sailing ships heaving lines, honing decks etc WELL DECK Upper deck situated between two blocks of accommodation. Also a hangar like deck located at the water line in the stern of some amphibious assault ships WINDLASS Machine for raising and lowering the anchor(s) WOODS The Lignum vitae bearings commonly used in stern-tube bearings, prior to sealed white metal bearings. WORKING ALLEY Alleyway through accommodation that also served as access to machinery space Please leave any more terms/slang on the Log Book

Question: What is the nautical term bosun short for ?
Answer: BOATSWAIN