1st Avoch Sea Scouts~ Gasóga Mara Abhaich Nautical Terms

Dachaigh/Home

Below is a glossary of some useful nautical terms.

ABOARD - On or within the boat.

ADRIFT - Loose, not on moorings or towline.

AFT - Towards the stern of the boat.

AHEAD - In a forward direction.

ASTERN - In back of the boat, opposite of ahead.

BATTEN DOWN - Secure hatches and loose objects both within the hull and on deck.

BOW - The forward part of a boat.

BOWLINE - A knot used to form a temporary loop in the end of a line.

BRIDGE - The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled.

BRIDLE - A line or wire secured at both ends in order to distribute a strain between two points.

BULKHEAD - A vertical partition separating compartments.

BUOY - An anchored float used for marking a position on the water or a hazard and for mooring.

CABIN - A compartment for passengers or crew.

CAPSIZE - To turn over.

CAST OFF - To let go.

CATAMARAN - A twin-hulled boat, with hulls side by side.

CHART - A map for use by navigators.

CLEAT - A fitting to which lines are secured.

COURSE - The direction in which a boat is steered.

CURRENT - The horizontal movement of water.

DEAD AHEAD - Directly ahead.

DEAD ASTERN - Directly aft.

DINGHY - A small open boat.

EBB - A receding current.

FENDER - A cushion, placed between boats, or between a boat and a pier, to prevent damage.

FLARE - A distress signal.

FLOOD - A incoming current.

FORWARD - Toward the bow of the boat.

GUNWALE - Upper edge of a boat's sides.

HATCH - An opening in a boat's deck fitted with a watertight cover.

HEAD - A toilet on a vessel.

HEADING - The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time.

HITCH - A knot used to secure a rope to another object or to another rope, or to form a loop or a noose in a rope.

HULL - The main body of a vessel.

KEEL - The centerline of a boat running fore and aft.

KNOT - A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (1,852m) per hour.

LATITUDE - The distance north or south of the equator measured and expressed in degrees.

LINE - Rope used aboard a vessel.

LONGITUDE - The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England.

MARLINSPIKE - A tool for opening the strands of a rope while splicing.

NAUTICAL MILE - One minute of latitude; approximately 1,852m - about 1/8 longer than the statute mile of 1,600m.

OVERBOARD - Over the side or out of the boat.

PLANING - A boat is said to be planing when it is essentially moving over the top of the water rather than through the water.

PORT - The left-hand-side of a boat.

RUDDER - A vertical plate or board for steering a boat.

SQUALL - A sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain.

STARBOARD - The right-hand-side of a boat when looking forward.

STERN - The rear part of the boat.

TIDE - The periodic rise and fall of water level of a body of water due to the gravitational pull of the moon.

TILLER - A bar or handle for turning a boat's rudder or an outboard motor.

TRANSOM - The stern cross-section of a square sterned boat.

TRIM - Fore and aft balance of a boat.

UNDERWAY - When a vessel is in motion i.e. not moored.

WAKE - Moving waves, track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving across water.

WINDWARD - Toward the direction from which the wind is coming.