This is a glossary of terms used by sea farers, ship designers and

builders. Knowledge of these terms is inescapable to become part

of Nautical community.

MAIN PARTS OF SHIP

1: Smokestack or Funnel;

2: Stern;

3: Propeller and Rudder;

4: Portside (the right side is known as starboard);

5: Anchor;

6: Bulbous bow;

7: Bow;

8: Deck;

9: Superstructure
DECK ARRANGEMENTS

Deck: The surface on the top of a vessel on which people can stand.

Deckhead: Underside of a deck. The roof of a ships cabin.

Foredeck: Forward topside part of the vessel.

Poop deck: A vessel's aft deck.

SHIP DIMENSIONS

LWL: Length on Waterline: This is the length at the waterline in the ship's design loaded condition. It is the
distance measured between the intersections points of the bow and the after end with the summer load
waterline. In case it is not mentioned, the length of the summer load waterline is taken into consideration as
the length of the waterline

Length Overall (LOA): The extreme length of the ship. Ie. the total length of the ship from one end to the
other, including bow and stern overhangs.

LBP: Length Between Perpendiculars: The distance between forward and aft perpendiculars. ie. the length of
a ship measured from the forward side of the stem to the aft side of the stern post at the
height of the designed water line

Beam (B): The breadth of the ship at the widest point or the extreme width of a ship. This dimension must
include any projections on either side of the vessel.
Depth (D): The term "depth" is where the measurement is taken from the bottom--from the keel upward.ie.
depth from bottom to the top watertight deck. So, Depth = freeboard + draft. Though the depth of the ship
varies along the length, “Depth of the ship” is taken as the distance between the undersides of the deck
amidship to the bottom of the keel.

Depth moulded: Vertical distance from the keel to the uppermost deck, taken inside the ship/s plating.

Freeboard (F): Distance between the waterline and the uppermost watertight deck.

Draft (T): It is the depth of water occupied by a vessel at any time. Ie. the depth from waterline to the deepest
part of the ship. The depth of the vessel below the waterline measured vertically to the lowest
part of the hull, propellers, or other reference point. When measured to the lowest projecting
portion of the vessel, it is called the "draft, extreme"; when measured at the bow, it is called
"draft, forward"; and when measured at the stern, the "draft, aft"; the average of the draft,
forward, and the draft, aft, is the "draft, mean," and the mean draft when in full load
condition is the "draft, load.".

SHIP BOARD DIRECTIONS

Aft: Towards the stern of the vessel.

Fore, forward: Toward the bow of the vessel.

Fore-and-aft: From the bow to the stern. (in line with the keel – lengthways of the ship ).

Amidships: Midway between the stem and the stern. ie near the middle of a vessel.

Bow: Forward part of vessel. ie. the front part of the vessel.

Stern: The aft part of a vessel.

Starboard: The right side of a vessel, from the perspective of a person at the stern of the vessel and looking
toward the bow. The opposite of port.

Port: The left side of the boat from the perspective of a person at the stern of the boat, looking toward the
bow. The opposite of starboard.

Port Side Bow Light is Red – Starboard side bow light is green.

Inboard: An engine that is fitted inside a vessel.

Outboard: Toward or beyond the vessel's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.

Abaft: Aft of any particular point on the vessel. E.g. Abaft the mast – behind the mast.

Abeam: At right angles to the line of the keel or length of the vessel.

GENERAL GLOSSARY

Adrift: Loose, not on moorings or towline, vessel without means of propulsion, not under control.

Aground: When a vessel is in water too shallow for it to float in, i.e.: the vessel's bottom is resting on
sea bottom.

Alee: Away from the direction of the wind. Opposite of windward.

Amidships: Midway between the stem and the stern. ie near the middle of a vessel.

Anchor: 1) A heavy metal object designed such that its weight and shape will help to hold a boat in
its position when lowered to the sea bottom on a rode or chain. 2) The act of using an anchor.
Anchor chain: A chain attached to the anchor. The chain acts partially as a weight to keep the anchor lying
next to the ground so that it can dig in better. The weight of the chain also helps to absorb
changes in the vessel's position due to waves.

Anchor windlass: A windlass used to assist when raising the anchor.

Astern: Toward the stern of a vessel, or behind the vessel.

Athwartships: At right angles to the centerline of the vessel.

ASD: AZIMUTH STERN DRIVE: A particular group of propellers that are able to rotate 360
degrees. Being located at the stern of the vessel, these propellers serve as a steering
mechanism, so no separate rudder is required.

Autopilot: A device used to steer a ship automatically, usually electrical, hydraulic or mechanical in
nature. A similar mechanism called a self-steering gear may also be used on a sailing vessel.

Awash: Deck level with surface of water.

Ballast: A weight at the bottom of a vessel to keep it stable. Ballasts can be placed inside the hull of
the vessel or externally in a keel. They are heavy substances loaded in a vessel to improve
stability, trimming, sea-keeping and to increase the immersion at the propeller. Sea water
ballast is commonly' loaded in most vessels in ballast tanks, positioned in compartments
right at the bottom and in some cases on the sides, called wing tanks. On a tanker, ballast is
seawater that is taken into the cargo tanks to submerge the vessel to a proper trim.

Barge: Flat-bottomed vessel designed to carry cargo on inland waterways, usually without engines
or crew accommodations. Barges can be lashed together and either pushed or pulled by tugs.
Small barges for carrying cargo between ship and shore are known as lighters.

Beam (B): The breadth of the ship at the widest point or the extreme width of a ship. This dimension
must include any projections on either side of the vessel.
Beaufort wind scale: Sea state scale laid down by the World Meteorological Organization.

Berth: A place where a ship can be secured.

Bilge: The lowest part of the interior of the vessel where water collects.

Bilge keel:

Bilge pump: A mechanical, electrical, or manually operated pump used to remove water from the bilge.

Block: One or more pulleys designed to carry a line and change the direction of its travel. A housing
around the pulley allows the block to be connected to a spar or to another line. Lines used
with a block are known as tackle.

Bollard: large pillar to which a vessel's mooring lines may be tied.

Bollard Pull: A measure of a tugs pulling power. It is usually measured in tons by securing the tug to a
scale. The tug then pulls against the scale and its bollard pull in tons is recorded. Bollard
pull is determined by a combination of the tug's horse power and the type of propellers that
it uses.

Boom: A pole securing the bottom of a sail, allowing more control of the position of a sail.

Boot Top: A painted line that indicates the designed waterline.

Bosun: Also boatswain, bos'n, bo's'n, and bo'sun, all of which are pronounced "bow-sun." A crew

Bow: Forward part of vessel. ie. the front part of the vessel.
Bower anchor: Main anchor carried forward in a vessel.

Bow Thruster: A propeller at the lower sea-covered part of the bow of the ship which turns at right angles
to the fore-and-aft line and thus provides transverse thrust as a maneuvering aid.

Breakers: A wave that approaches shallow water, causing the wave height to exceed the depth of the
water it is in, in effect tripping it. The wave changes from a smooth surge in the water to a
cresting wave with water tumbling down the front of it.

Breaking seas: With sufficiently strong wind, large waves can form crests even in deep water, causing the
wave tops to tumble forward over the waves.

Breakwater: A structure built to improve a harbor by sheltering it from waves.

Breast line: Ropes forward and aft at right angles to the ship to “breast” into the dock.

Bridge: The location from which a vessel is steered and its speed controlled. "Control Station" is
really a more appropriate term for small craft.

Bridle: A rope attached to both sides of a boat or object to lift it. Lifting tackle or towing tackle.

Bulkheads: Partitions fore and aft or Athwartships, ( vertical partition ) forming separate compartments.
Bulbous bow:

Bulwarks: A vessel’s topsides that extend above the deck.

Buoy: A floating device (with distinguishing name, shape, color or light) used as a navigational
aid by marking channels, hazards and prohibited areas.

Cable: 1) 1/10 Nautical mile, 2) anchor chain, 3) stainless steel wire.

Capstan: A rotating drum used to haul heavy lines and chains. Similar to a winch, but mounted
vertically.
Cast off: To detach mooring lines, as when leaving a dock.

Cavitation: The loss of effective propeller thrust caused by the blades of a propeller cutting across the
column of water sucked along by the propeller instead of working in it.

Chine: The location where the deck joins the hull of a vessel ie. joint of freeboard and hull bottom.

A- Curved hull, B-hard chine, C-soft chine

Classification society: A company which arranges inspections and advises on the hull and machinery of a
ship. Classification societies supervise vessels during their construction and afterward, in
respect to their seaworthiness.

Coaming: A vertical piece around the edge of a cockpit, hatch, etc. to prevent water on deck from
running below.

Companion: Ladder in a ship.

Compass: Instrument using the earth's magnetic field to point to the direction to the magnetic north
pole.
Container ship: Vessel carrying general cargo including high-value cargo in containers (boxes) some of
which may be refrigerated.
Cradle: The frame erected round and under a vessel to support her out of the water.

Davit: Device that projects beyond the side of the vessel to raise objects from the water. Ie. Crane
for hoisting, lowering and holding boats in position in large vessels.

Dead Rise: Measurement of the angle between the bottom of the vessel and it's widest beam. A vessel
with a 0` deadrise has a flat bottom, high numbers indicate deep V shaped hulls.

Deadweight: A common measure of ship carrying capacity. The number of tons (2240 lbs.) of cargo,
stores and bunkers that a vessel can transport. It is the difference between the number of
tons of water a vessel displaces.

Deadweight tonnage(DWT): It is the displacement at any loaded condition minus the lightship weight. It
includes the crew, passengers, cargo, fuel, water, and stores. Like Displacement, it is often
expressed in metric tons.

Deck: The surface on the top of a vessel on which people can stand.

Deck fittings:
Deck head: Underside of a deck. The roof of a ships cabin.

Depth (D): The term "depth" is where the measurement is taken from the bottom--from the keel
upward.ie. depth from bottom to the top watertight deck. So, Depth = freeboard + draft.
Though the depth of the ship varies along the length, “Depth of the ship” is taken as the
distance between the undersides of the deck amidship to the bottom of the keel.

Depth moulded: Vertical distance from the keel to the uppermost deck, taken inside the ship/s plating.

Depth Sounder: Instrument that uses sound waves to measure the distance of the bottom.

Depth Meter or Fathometer: Instrument used to determine soundings or depth of water

Derrick: Lifting equipment on board a conventional vessel for loading and discharging cargo,
consisting of a post attached to the deck and an inclined spar.

Displacement (W): The weight of water of the displaced volume of the ship, which equals the weight of the
ship. The word "displacement" arises from the basic physical law, discovered by
Archimedes, that the weight of a floating object equates exactly to that of the water which
would otherwise occupy the "hole in the water" displaced by the ship. Displacement is
expressed in metric tons, and is calculated simply by multiplying the volume of the hull
below the waterline (ie. the volume of water it is displacing) by the specific gravity of the
water. (Note that the specific gravity will depend on whether the vessel is in fresh or salt
water, or is in the tropics, where water is warmer and hence less dense.) For example, in sea
water, first determine the volume of the submerged portion of the hull as follows: Multiply
its length by its breadth and the draft. Then multiply the product thereby obtained by the
block coefficient of the hull to get the hull volume. Using the SI or metric system :
displacement (in tonnes) is volume (in m³) multiplied by the specific gravity of sea water
(1.025 nominally).

Displacement, light: The weight of the ship excluding cargo, fuel, ballast, stores, passengers, crew, but with
water in boilers to steaming level.

Displacement, loaded: The weight of the ship including cargo, passengers, fuel, water, stores, dunnage and
such other items necessary for use on a voyage, which brings the ship down to her load draft.
Displacement Hull: A type of hull that only floats, even when in motion, as opposed to a type of hull that
allows a vessel to skim of plane across the surface of the water.

Distress Signals: The following signals indicate need for immediate help:

1. An operating Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon

2. Call VHF channel 16 radio – include name, location, type of distress
3. Continuous blast of fog horn
4. Firing gun or explosions at one minute interval
5. International Code Flags “N” over “C” ( not in command )
6. Orange signal flag with black square and black ball
7. Orange smoke signals
8. Red rockets or flares
9. Slow and repeated raising of your out stretched arms
10. SOS made by any means
11. Visible open flames on the vessel (rags burning in a bucket)

Dock: Any platform where vessels can make fast. Docks are often subdivided into smaller areas
for docking known as slips.

Dolphin: A group of piles driven close together and bound with wire cables into a single structure for
mooring in harbor.

Double Hull ( Double Skin): A vessel with double hull has both an inner and an outer hull. This is a safety
feature should the vessel collide or run aground. The outer hull provides some protection
for cargo and bunker tanks, thereby reducing the chances of environmental pollution from
cargo and bunker spills. Most modern tankers have double hulls.

Downhaul:
DP: DP stands for Dynamic Positioning and refers to the ship board equipment that allows the
ship to maneuver with very precise positioning and control. With DP II or DPIII a ship can
maintain a very precise position, even in rough seas. DPII is considered standard equipment
for a ship engaged in over the side operations.

Draft (T): It is the depth of water occupied by a vessel at any time. Ie. the depth from waterline to the
deepest part of the ship. The depth of the vessel below the waterline measured vertically to
the lowest part of the hull, propellers, or other reference point. When measured to the lowest
projecting portion of the vessel, it is called the "draft, extreme"; when measured at the bow,
it is called "draft, forward"; and when measured at the stern, the "draft, aft"; the average of
the draft, forward, and the draft, aft, is the "draft, mean," and the mean draft when in full
load condition is the "draft, load.".
.
Dry dock: A dock where a vessel can be worked on out of the water. The boat is usually sailed into a
dry dock, and then the water is pumped out.

Ebb: The period when the tide falls or flows from the land.

Electronic Navigation: Use of echo sounders, radio, and various electronic satellite and land based position
finders (GPS) to determine a boat's location.

Ensign: The flag, usually carried at the stern, that denotes a vessel’s nationality.

E cho sounder:

EPIRB: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon. An emergency device that uses a radio signal
to alert satellites or passing airplanes to indicate a vessel's position.

Even Keel: When a boat is floating on its designed waterline, it is said to be floating on an even keel.

Fair Lead: A line unobstructed between its terminals, such as between a bow chock and a piling
Fairway: Shipping channel, normally the center of an approach channel.

Fathom: Nautical measurement of depth of six feet or 1.83m.

Fender: A cushion hung from the sides of a boat to protect it from rubbing against a dock or another
vessel.

Fetch: The distance wind and waves can travel toward land without being blocked. In areas without
obstructions, the wind and seas can build to great strength, but in sheltered areas, such as
coves and harbors, the wind and seas can be quite calm. Fetch also is used to describe the
act of sailing to a location accurately without having to tack.

FIFI: Fire Fighting Equipment

FLAG STATE: The country where a particular vessel is registered.

Flare: A device that burns to produce a bright light, sometimes colored, usually used to indicate
an emergency.

Flotsam: Debris floating on the water surface.

FO: Fuel oil

Foil: A wing like surface below the hull that, when moved through water, lifts the hull out of the
water, allowing greater speeds.

Fore, forward: Toward the bow of the vessel.

Fore-and-aft: From the bow to the stern. ( In line with the keel – lengthways of the ship ).
Forecastle deck: Forward raised deck of the vessel.

Forepeak: The most forward storage area on a vessel.

Freeboard (F): Distance between the waterline and the uppermost watertight deck.

Full keel: A keel that runs the length of the vessel. Full keels have a shallower draft than fin keels.

Funnel: Smoke stack for engine flue gases to escape

Gale: A storm with a wind speed between 34 and 40 knots.

Galley: The kitchen area on a ship of any size.

Gangway: The area of a ship's side where people board and disembark.
GMDSS: The global maritime distress and safety system.

GPS: Global Positioning System. A system of satellites that allows one's position to be calculated
with great accuracy by the use of an electronic receiver.

Grab Rails: Hand-hold fittings mounted on cabin tops and sides for personal safety when moving around
the boat.

.GROSS AND NET TONNAGE (GT and NT): Gross tonnage is the basis on which manning rules and
safety regulations are applied, and registration fees are reckoned. Port fees are also often
reckoned on the basis of GT and NT. GT and NT are defined according to formulas which
take account, among other things, of the volume of the vessel's enclosed spaces (GT) and
the volume of its holds (NT).

Gross register tonnage (GRT) represents the total internal volume of a vessel, where a register ton is equal
to a volume of 100 cubic feet (2.83 m³), which volume, if filled with fresh water, would
weigh around 2,800 kg or 2.8 tonnes. ( 1 GRT = 2.83 m³).

Gross Tonnage(GT): Gross tonnage is a function of the volume of all ship's enclosed spaces (from keel to
funnel) measured to the outside of the hull framing. The entire internal cubic capacity of the
ship expressed in tons of 100 cubic feet to the ton, except certain spaces which are exempted,
such as: (1) peak and other tanks for water ballast; (2) spaces above the uppermost
continuous deck, such as: open forecastle, bridge and poop, certain light and air spaces,
domes of skylights, condenser, anchor gear, steering gear, wheel house, galley and cabins
for passengers. The numerical value for a ship's GT is always smaller than the numerical
values for both her gross register tonnage and the GRT value expressed equivalently in
cubic meters.

Hatch: A sliding or hinged opening in the deck, providing access to the cabin or space below

Net registered tons(NRT): This tonnage is frequently shown on ship registration papers; it represents the
volumetric area available for cargo at 100 cubic feet = 1 ton. Net register tonnage is the
volume of cargo the vessel can carry; i.e., the gross register tonnage less the volume of
 spaces that will not hold cargo (e.g., engine compartment, helm station, crew spaces, etc).
It represents the volume of the ship available for transporting freight or passengers. It often
is used by port and canal authorities as a basis for charges.

Net Tonnage(NT): The tonnage most frequently used for the calculation of tonnage taxes and the assessment
of charges for wharfage and other port dues. Net tonnage is obtained by deducting from the
gross tonnage, crew and navigating spaces and an allowance for the space occupied by the
propelling machinery. It indicates a vessel’s earning space and is a function of the moulded
volume of all cargo spaces of the ship.

Gypsy: A windlass or capstan drum.

HANDYMAX: Dry cargo vessel about 35.000 – 50.000 dwt.

HANDYSIZE: Dry cargo vessel - about 20.000 – 35.000 dwt.

Hard Chine: An abrupt intersection between the hull side and the hull bottom of a vessel so constructed.

Hawse pipes: Pipes leading down through the bows through which anchor cables are led.

Hawser: A heavy rope used for mooring, kedging, lining, towing or as a temporary anchor line.

Hatch: A sliding or hinged opening in the deck, providing access to the cabin or space below.

Head: a marine toilet.

Heading: The direction in which a vessel's bow points at any given time.

Head sea: Sea from ahead, beam sea is caused by wind blowing abeam.

Heave: To throw or pull strongly on a line.

Heavy seas: When the water has large waves or breakers in stormy conditions.

Heavy weather: Stormy conditions, including rough, high seas and strong winds. Probably uncomfortable or
dangerous.

Heel: A list from the upright; the foot of a mast.

Helm: The tiller or wheel used to steer vessel.

High tide: The point of a tide when the water is the highest. The opposite of low tide.

Hogging: Curving upward of hull in the middle of length.

 1. Sagging. 2. Hogging

Hold: A general name for the spaces below the main deck designated for stowage of general cargo.
A hold on a tanker is usually just forward of #1 cargo tank. Some newer tankers have no
hold.

Hull: The main structural body of the vessel, not including the deck, keel or mast. The part that
keeps the water out of the vessel.

Hydrofoil: A vessel that has foils under it's hull onto which it rises to plane across the water surface at
high speed in more comfort.

IACS: International Association of Classification Societies.

IMO: International Maritime Organization - established in 1958 through the United Nations to
coordinate international maritime safety and related practices.

ISPS: International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Developed in response to the perceived
threats to ships and port facilities.

Jack staff: Small staff in the bows from which the jack is flown.
Jacobs Ladder: A rope ladder, lowered from the deck, as when pilots or passengers come aboard.

Jetty: A manmade structure projecting from the shore. May protect a harbor entrance or aid in
preventing beach erosion.
Keel: The centerline of a boat running fore and aft; the backbone of a vessel. There are several
types of keels, such as fin keels and full keels.

KNOT: Unit of speed in navigation which is the rate of nautical mile (6,080 feet or 1,852 meters)
per hour.

Latitude: Imaginary lines drawn around the world and used to measure distance north and south of
the Equator. The North Pole is 90° north, the South Pole is 90° south, and the Equator is at
0°. These are Lines that are parallel to the equator - Parallels of Latitude each degree is 60
(nautical) miles – each minute is 1 nautical mile.

mainsail to the boom to aid in the lowering of the sail.

LBP: Length Between Perpendiculars: The distance between forward and aft perpendiculars. ie.
the length of a ship measured from the forward side of the stem to the aft side of the stern
LOA: Length between perpendiculars

Lee side: The side away from the wind direction.

Life boat: A small boat used for emergencies, such as when the parent vessel is sinking.

Life jacket, life preserver, life vest: A device used to keep a person afloat. Also called a personal floatation
device or PFD.

Life raft: An emergency raft used in case of serious problems to the parent vessel, such as sinking.
Life buoy: a life saving buoy designed to be thrown to a person in the water, to provide buoyancy, to prevent
drowning

LIGHT DISPLACEMENT TONNAGE: The weight of a ship's hull, machinery, equipment and spares. This
is often the basis on which ships are paid for when purchased for scrapping. The difference
between the loaded displacement and light displacement is the ship's deadweight.

LINER: A cargo-carrying ship which is operated between scheduled, advertised ports of loading and
discharge on a regular basis.

Length Overall (LOA): The extreme length of the ship. Ie. the total length of the ship from one end to the
other, including bow and stern overhangs.
Longitude: Imaginary lines drawn through the North and South Poles on the globe, used to measure
distance east and west. Greenwich, England, is designated as 0°, with other distances being
measured in degrees east and west of Greenwich.

Low tide: The point of a tide at which the water is the lowest. The opposite of a high tide.

LWL: Length on Waterline: This is the length at the waterline in the ship's design loaded
condition. It is the distance measured between the intersections points of the bow and the
after end with the summer load waterline. In case it is not mentioned, the length of the
summer load waterline is taken into consideration as the length of the waterline.

Mast: Any vertical pole on the boat that sails are attached to. If a boat has more than one mast,
they can be identified by name.

Mayday: An internationally recognized distress signal used on a radio to indicate a life-threatening

situation. Mayday calls have priority over any other radio transmission and should be used
only if there is an immediate threat to life or vessel. More urgent than security call.

Midships: Approximately in the location equally distant from the bow and stern.

Monohull: A boat that has only one hull, as opposed to multihull boats such as catamarans or trimarans.

Mooring: An arrangement for securing a vessel to a mooring buoy or a pier.

1 Head line Keep forward part of the ship against the dock
2 Forward Breast Line Keep close to pier
3 Forward Spring Prevent from advancing
4 Aft Spring Prevent from moving back
5 Aft Breast line Keep close to pier
6 Stern line Prevent forwards movement

Mooring buoy: A buoy marking the location of a mooring. Usually attached to an anchor by a small pendant.

Mooring line: A line used to secure a boat to an anchor, dock or mooring.

Morse code: A code that uses dots and dashes to communicate by radio or signal lights.

Nautical mile: Distance at sea is measured in nautical miles, which are about 6,067.12 feet, 1.15 statute
miles or exactly 1,852 meters. Nautical miles have the unique property that 1 minute of
latitude is equal to 1 nautical mile. (There is a slight error, because the earth is not perfectly
round.) Measurement of speed is done in knots, where 1 knot equals 1 nautical mile per
hour. A statute mile is used to measure distances on land and is 5,280 feet.

Net registered tons(NRT): This tonnage is frequently shown on ship registration papers; it represents the
volumetric area available for cargo at 100 cubic feet = 1 ton. Net register tonnage is the
volume of cargo the vessel can carry; i.e., the gross register tonnage less the volume of
spaces that will not hold cargo (e.g., engine compartment, helm station, crew spaces, etc).
It represents the volume of the ship available for transporting freight or passengers. It often
is used by port and canal authorities as a basis for charges.

Net Tonnage(NT): The tonnage most frequently used for the calculation of tonnage taxes and the assessment
of charges for wharfage and other port dues. Net tonnage is obtained by deducting from the
gross tonnage, crew and navigating spaces and an allowance for the space occupied by the
propelling machinery. It indicates a vessel’s earning space and is a function of the moulded
volume of all cargo spaces of the ship.

OUTBOARD: Toward or beyond the vessel's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.

OVERBOARD: Over the side or out of the vessel.

‘
Pennant: Mast head ‘commissioning flag’

Pilot: An individual with specific knowledge of a harbor, canal, river or other waterway, qualified
to guide vessels through the region. Some areas require that boats and ships be piloted by a
licensed pilot.

Piloting: The act of guiding a vessel through a waterway.

PLANING HULL: A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.

Plimsoll line:

Poop deck: A boat's aft deck.

Pontoon: A flat bottomed vessel

Porpoise (Porpoising): The rhythmic bouncing of the nose of a planing vessel, often caused by over-trim or
hull irregularities.

Port: The left side of the boat from the perspective of a person at the stern of the boat, looking
toward the bow. The opposite of starboard. Port Side Bow Light is Red – Starboard side
bow light is green.

Porthole: A window in the side of a vessel, usually round or with rounded corners. Sometimes
portholes can be opened; sometimes they are fixed shut. They are Water tight window in the
ships side or superstructure for ventilation and light.

Propeller: An object with two or more twisted blades, designed to propel a vessel through the water
when spun rapidly by the ship's engine. Right hand propeller spins clockwise, left hand
spins counter clockwise. Most single screw driven vessels are right hand props pulls the
stern to starboard in forward and to port in reverse, mostly affects reverse.

Propeller shaft: The spinning shaft from the engine to which the propeller is attached.

PSPC: Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for dedicated seawater ballast tanks in all
types of ships and double-side skin spaces of Bulk Carriers.

PSV: Platform Supply Vessel.

Radar: An electronic instrument that uses radio waves to find the distance and location of other
objects. Used to avoid collisions, particularly in times of poor visibility.

Radio: An instrument that uses electromagnetic waves to communicate with other vessels. VHF
(very high frequency) radios are common for marine use, but are limited in range. SSB
(single sideband) radios have longer ranges.

Radio beacon: A navigational aid that emits radio waves for navigational purposes. The radio beacon's
position is known and the direction of the radio beacon can be determined by using a radio
direction finder.

Radio Direction Finder (RDF): Instrument used to obtain a bearing to a marine radio beacon. Radio beacons
identified on the chart with signal frequency. Locate direction when signal is null, can be 5°
to 10° off.

REEFER: Refrigerator ship; a vessel designed to carry goods requiring refrigeration, such as meat and
fruit. A reefer ship has insulated holds into which cold air is passed at the temperature
appropriate to the goods being carried.
Rigging: The wires, lines, halyards and other items used to attach the sails and spars to the boat. The
lines that do not have to be adjusted often are known as standing rigging. The lines that are
adjusted to raise, lower and trim the sails are known as running rigging.

Rigid inflatable: A small inflatable boat that has a solid hull but has buoyancy tubes that are inflated to keep
it afloat.

Roll: A side-to-side motion of the vessel, usually caused by waves. ( Sidewise rotational motion
of vessel).

RO/RO SHIP: Freight ship or ferry with facilities for vehicles to drive on and off (roll-on roll-off); a system
of loading and discharging a ship whereby the cargo is driven on and off on ramps. Equipped
with large openings at bow and stern and sometimes also in the side, the ship permits rapid
loading and discharge with hydraulically operated ramps providing easy access. Fully
loaded trucks or trailers carrying containers are accommodated on the deck.

ROV: Remotely operated underwater vehicle.

Row: A method of moving a boat with oars. The person rowing the boat faces backward, bringing
the blade of the oars out of the water and toward the bow of the boat, then pulling the oars
through the water toward the stern of the boat, moving the boat forward.

Rudder: A flat surface attached behind or underneath the stern, used to control the direction the vessel
is traveling.

Rudder post: The post that the rudder is attached to. The wheel or tiller is connected to the rudder post.

Run aground: To take a boat into water that is too shallow for it to float in; the bottom of the boat is resting
on the ground.

Running lights: Navigational lights that are required to be used when a vessel is in motion during nights.
Sampson post: A strong post used to attach lines for towing or mooring.

Screw: A propeller.

Scupper: An opening through the toe rail or gunwale to allow water to drain back into the sea.

Scuttle: Deliberately sink a ship. A cask lashed in a convenient part of the ship to hold water for
daily use.

Sextant: A navigational instrument used to determine the vertical position of an object such as the
sun, moon or stars. Used with celestial navigation.

Sheer: The fore and aft curvature of the deck.

Sheer strake: The upper line of plating or planking on the hull.

Side lights: Green and red lights on the starboard and port sides of the boat, required for navigation at
night. Each light is supposed to be visible through an arc of 112.5°, beginning from directly
ahead of the boat to a point 22.5° aft of the beam. (Port side bow is red light - Starboard side
bow is green light).

Skeg: Any flat protrusion on the outside of the hull that is used to support another object, such as
the propeller shaft or rudder.
slack: A line that is loose.

SOLAS: International conventions concerned with Safety of Life at Sea.

Stability: Ability of a boat to keep from heeling or rolling excessively, and the ability to quickly return
upright after heeling.

Stability sail: Also riding sail or steadying sail. Any small sail set to help the boat maintain its direction
without necessarily moving, as when at anchor or in heavy weather.

Stanchion: A post near the edge of the deck, used to support lifelines.

Starboard Side: A SHIP's right side looking forward.

Stem: The forward edge of the bow. The forward continuation of the keel to which the planking
at the fore end of the boat is affixed.

Stern: The aft part of a boat.

Stern tube: Tube with bearings and water seal through which the propeller shaft enters the hull.

Stowing: Proper way to store gear on vessel.

Stringer: The internal hull bottom ribs used for structure.

Stuffing Box: Fitting that seals and lubricates the propeller shaft where it protrudes through the hull>

Surge: To allow a rope to slip on a power windlass while it is revolving; to allow a rope under
tension to slip while on a cleat or bollard.

Swell: Large smooth waves that do not break. Swells are formed by wind action over a long
distance.

TEU: Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (containers).

Thwartships: At right angles to the centerline of the vessel.

Tide: The predictable, regular rising and lowering of water in some areas due to the pull of the
sun and the moon. Tidal changes can happen approximately every six or 12 hours,
depending on the region. To find out the time and water levels of different tides, you can
 use tide tables for your area. The period of high water level is known as high tide, and the
period of low water level is known as low tide.

Tiller: An arm attached to the top of the rudder to steer a small boat. If the helmsman wants to steer
to starboard, he pushes the tiller to port. Larger boats usually use a wheel instead of a tiller.

Tonnage: It is a measure of the size or cargo carrying capacity of a ship. In modern maritime usage,
"tonnage" specifically refers to a calculation of the volume or cargo volume of a ship.

Tow: To pull a boat with another boat, such as a tugboat towing a barge.

Transom: Flat area across stern.

Trim: Fore and aft and side to side balance of a boat.

Trimaran: A boat with a center hull and two smaller outer hulls called amas.

Trough: Bottom section of a wave.

Tumble home: Where a ship’s sides are inclined inwards above the water line.

UMS: Unmanned machinery spaces.

Underway: Vessel in motion, moving under own power.

VHF: Very High Frequency radio waves. A radio that transmits in the VHF range. VHF radios are
the most common communications radio carried on vessels, but their range is limited to
"line of sight" between the transmitting and receiving stations.

Wake: Waves generated in the water by a moving vessel.

Waterline: The line where the water comes to on the hull of a boat. Design waterline is where the
waterline was designed to be. Load waterline is the waterline when the boat is loaded. The
painted waterline is where the waterline was painted. Actual waterline is where the waterline
really is at any given time.

Water tight door:

Way: Movement of a vessel through the water such as headway, sternway or leeway.

Weatherside: Side facing wind or sea.

Wharf: A quay. A section parallel to the shore for docking and unloading vessels.

Winch: A device used to give a mechanical advantage when hauling on the lines.

Windlass: A mechanical device ( rotating drum ) used to pull in cable or chain, such as an anchor rode.
Windward: Toward the direction from which the wind is coming.

Yacht: A sailboat or powerboat used for pleasure, not a working boat.

Yaw: Swinging off course, usually in heavy seas. The bow moves toward one side of the intended
course by wave action or other force.