Common Nautical Terms Flashcards
Aft
Towards the rear
Fore
Toward the bow of the ship
Bow
The front of the ship
Stern
Back
Port
Left side of the ship from the perspective of looking forward
Starboard
Right side of the ship from the perspective of looking forward
Mast
Vertical pole that may have a sail or rigging or antennas for powerboats
Keel
Center of the hull. Lowest in water where weight is most carried
Lee
Side of the vessel sheltered from wind
Windward
Side of vessel wind is coming from
Hawser
Large line
Strike
Lower or bring down
Aloft
Above the ships uppermost solid structure, overhead, or high above
Alongside
By the side of the pier or ship
Awash
So low in the water that the water is constantly washing across the service
Billet
A crew members assigned duties within the ships organization
BMOW
Boatswain’s mate of the watch is responsible to ensure all watches are properly manned and in order
Beam
Greatest athwart ships width of a vessel
Brow
A moveable ladder or ram used for boarding a vessel from a dock
Centerline
Imaginary line running from ship’s bow to stern
Check
To slack of slowly
David
Shipboard crane that can be swung out over the side
EOW
An officer in charge of the engineering department while on watch
Fast
Snugly secured
Fathom
A six foot unit of length
Fender
A piece of equipment, such as an inflated ball when inserted between the vessel and another object will absorb shock and prevent damage
Forecastle
Upper deck in the upper part of the ship, pronounced- “FOKE-sul”
Gunwale
Upper edge or rail of a ship or boat’s side, pronounced “GUN’nle”
Inboard
Toward the center of the ship
Outboard
Away from the center of the hull
Part
To break, as of a line
Scullery
Compartment for washing and sterilizing eating utensils
Turn to
An order to begin work
Void
An empty compartment below decks
Wake
The track left in the water behind the ship
Yaw
Zigzagging motion of a vessel as it carried off its heading by strong seas
