Definitions Flashcards
Abaft
A position towards the stern or rear of the
vessel in relation to another object on the
vessel. Not behind the vessel. For example,
the stern is abaft the beam
Abeam
Abreast of, or at right angles to, the fore and aft
line of the vessel.
Adrift
Loose, not on moorings or a towline, or
underway
Aft
Towards the stern or rear of the vessel.
Astern
Behind or at the rear of the vessel.
Astern propulsion
Put the engine in reverse, to slow the vessel or
go backwards.
Australian Builders Plate (ABP)
The Australian Builders Plate (ABP) has been
adopted nationally to reduce the number of
incidents caused by overloading vessels.
Unless exempted by the Harbors and
Navigation Regulations 2009 recreational
vessels built after 4 February 2008 must have
an ABP affixed at the time of original sale (refer
chapter 3, Safety on the water).
Authorised person
A person appointed by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Department for Infrastructure
and Transport (DIT) to enforce the Harbors
and Navigation Act 1993 and associated
regulations, or a Police Officer.
Bank
The sloping border (edge or shore) of the corse of the lake or river
Bar
A ridge of sand, silt, mud or gravel near the
water’s surface, which is caused by currents
particularly at the entrance to a river, creek, lake
way. (Note: This rule
or harbour. Bars can greatly change water and
may not always apply
if one or both vessels
wave conditions, so extreme care is necessary
when crossing them.
Basic flotation
A flotation system that meets Australian
Builders Plate (ABP) requirements that means
that the boat will float in some form if swamped.
If the boat has capsized, it will remain afloat for
you to possibly cling to the upturned hull. With
basic flotation the swamped boat may still float.
Beam
Width at the widest point of the vessel.
Berth
1) A place where a vessel is secured alongside
a jetty or wharf.
2) A space or bunk used by passengers or crew
as sleeping accommodation on a vessel.
Bilge
The compartment at the bottom of the hull of a
ship or boat where water collects so that it may
be pumped out.
Bitt/s
A strong post of wood or metal projecting—
usually as a pair—above the deck of a vessel,
which is used to secure cables and towing or
mooring lines.
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
A measurement of alcohol in the blood. A BAC
of .05 means there is .05 grams of alcohol in
each 100 millilitres of blood.
Boat
Any type and size of water craft or vessel used
in South Australian waters. For the purposes
of this handbook, a ‘recreational boat’ is one
that is being used for recreational or non-
commercial purposes.
Boat Operator’s Licence
The licence that is required in South Australia to
operate a recreational vessel that is fitted with
an engine, of any type or size, whether or not
the engine is being used.
Bombora
A shallow area where waves may break.
bow
The front end of the vessel.
Capsize
Of a vessel, to overturn.
Cardinal points
The four main points of a compass, that is,
north, south, east and west.
Channel
A navigable route through a body of water, or
marked waterway
Chart datum
The lowest predictable level that the tide is likely
to fall to.
Cleat
A piece of wood or metal consisting of a bar
with horizontal arms, around which ropes are
wound to fasten them.
Coast
In this handbook, for safety equipment carriage
purposes ‘coast’ refers only to the coast of the
mainland or Kangaroo Island. No other island’s
coast in South Australia is used to measure the
distance out to sea, for the requirement to carry
safety equipment or for the operation of a vessel.
COLREGS
International Regulations for the Preventiing
Collision at Sea 1972.
A convention which sets out the “rules of the
road” for operating vessels on the water.
Current
The horizontal movement or flow of water.
Currents can be either tidal or non-tidal.
Dead ahead
Directly or straight in front of a vessel’s bow.
Device
For the purposes of this handbook, a device is
an object that is attached by a rope or by other
means, in or on which up to three people may
sit to be towed directly behind a motorboat.
Examples of devices include ski biscuits and
tyre tubes, but not waterskis or kneeboards.
Devices generally have little or no means of
controlling the direction in which they travel.
Direct supervision
A boat licence holder directly watching over
and accompanying a special permit holder or
unlicensed person while that person operates
a recreational motorboat. The licensed person
must at all times be able to take over the control
of the motorboat should the need arise.
Downstream
in the direction of the flow or current of a stream
or river; towards the sea.
Draught
The minimum depth of water that a vessel
needs to float.
DIT
Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Ebb tide
The falling or run out of the tide.
Fairway
Navigable water in a channel, harbour or river.
EPIRB
An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio
Beacon) is a radio distress beacon that, when
activated, transmits a signal via satellite to a
ground station to assist emergency services to
locate a vessel in distress. In Australia, only a
406MHz EPIRB is acceptable.
Flood tide
The rising or run in of the tide.
Following sea
Sea travelling in the approximate direction as
the vessel’s course
Fore
Situated at or towards the bow, or front, of a vessle
Freeboard
The distance between the surface of the water
and the gunwale
Give way
Stop, slow, go astern or change course to keep
clear of another vessel.
Go astern
To move stern-first, or backwards,
through the water
Gulf of St Vincent
The waters in that gulf north of a line drawn
from Troubridge Point on Yorke Peninsula to
Rapid Head on Fleurieu Peninsula.
Gunwale
The top edge of a vessel’s side.
Heading
The direction in which a ship’s bow points at
any given time.
Heave to
To steer into the wind and sea, making
minimum headway.
Headway
The forward motion of a vessel.
Heel
Of a vessel, to stoop or lean to one side, usually
as a result of wind or wave action. Also, action
of a large vessel or smaller twin-hull vessel
when changing course.
Helm
The wheel or tiller controlling the rudder.
Hire and drive vessel
A houseboat, personal watercraft (PWC) or
other vessel that is offered for hire under a hire
and drive business. For more information refer
www.amsa.gov.au
Hull
The main body of a vessel.
Impeller
The rotating part of a centrifugal pump,
turbine, etc.
Hull identification number (HIN)
A unique set of characters that is permanently
linked to the hull of a vessel and performs
a similar function to a vehicle identification
number on a motor vehicle compliance plate
Inadequate flotation
Vessel flotation that does not meet Australian
Builders Plate (ABP) requirements of either level
flotation or basic flotation
Inland waters
Any navigable waterways or bodies of water
in the State that are not tidal; for example, the
River Murray and Lake Eyre (when filled with
water) are inland waters, but not the Coorong or
Port River because they’re tidal.
Isophase
Of a navigation light, to flash on and off in equal
measure; i.e. for the light and darkness periods
to be of the same length.
Knot
A measurement of speed applied to wind or to
vessels. One knot equals one nautical mile per
hour (1.852 kilometres per hour).
Lanyard
A short rope or cord for securing or holding
something, such as a bailer to a vessel.
Leads
Marks used in channels and entrances which,
when in line, indicate the centre of the channel
Lee shore
The shore onto which the wind blows.
Leeward
The side of the vessel opposite to that from
which the wind blows; the downwind side.
Length of vessel
The hull length should be measured from the point
of the bow to the transom (the flat stern of the
vessel), excluding bowsprits, outboard motors
and other attachments. Any part of the vessel
that extends beyond these points and contributes
to the vessel’s buoyancy should, however, also
be included in the vessel length, for example,
pontoons on inflatable vessels or houseboats.
Level flotation
Vessel flotation that meets Australian Builders
Plate (ABP) requirements, meaning that the
boat will continue to float in a level position if
swamped and will be prevented from capsizing
in calm water. This will allow you to remain
in the boat and bail the vessel to remove the
water. Level flotation does not provide a self-
righting capacity.
Lifejacket
South Australian legislation (the Harbors and
Navigation Act 1993 and associated regulations)
refers to the level of buoyancy provided by a
lifejacket. These devices may also be referred to
as Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) or buoyancy
vests, level 100 or higher, level 50, level 50S.
Lock
An enclosed, gated chamber on a canal, river, etc.
for raising or lowering a vessel from one waterway
level to another. Most commonly associated
with weirs and barrages on the River Murray.
Making way
A vessel underway and moving through the
water, using sail or motor.
Marine radio
A radio designed for two-way communication
on approved marine frequencies/channels, for
example, VHF, MF/HF or 27 MHz.
Masthead light
A white light placed over the fore and aft centreline
of the vessel showing an unbroken light over a
225 degree arc of the horizon and fixed so as to
show the light from directly ahead to 22.5 degrees
abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.
Moor
To secure a vessel to the shore, a buoy, wharf
or jetty, or to anchor with two or more anchors.
Mooring
A pole, jetty, anchored chain or other structure
to which a boat or vessel can be securely tied
or anchored.
Motorboat
Any boat or vessel that is being propelled by
an engine (irrespective of size), whether or not
the engine is the main means of propulsion.
A sailing boat being propelled by an auxiliary
engine is regarded as a motorboat or motor
vessel.
Nautical mile
The international unit of distance over water.
One nautical mile is equal to 1.852 kilometres
Navigation rules
The regulations governing the movement of
vessels in relation to each other, otherwise
known as steering or sailing rules. The ‘rules of
the road at sea’.
Occulting
Of a navigation light, to flash on and off, lighting
for longer than the period of darkness; similar to
a lighthouse light.
Operator
The person in charge (control) of a recreational
vessel that is underway or at anchor, but not
when the vessel is moored. Sometimes also
referred to as the Skipper.
Personal watercraft (PWC)
A device that: is propelled by a motor; has a
fully enclosed hull; is designed not to retain
water if capsized; and is operated by a person
who sits astride it or stands or kneels on it.
PWC are often more commonly known by their
brand names, including Jet Ski®, Sea-Doo®
,
and WaveRunner®. The minimum age for
operating a PWC is 16 years of age and the
operator must hold an appropriate licence.
Pile/Piles
A vessel is said to be planing, or ‘operating on
the plane’ when it is essentially moving over
the top of, rather than through, the water. The
process of planing starts as soon as your speed
over the water provides some lift (ie the bow
starts to rise).
Port side
Looking forward from the stern, the left side of
a vessel. A red sidelight is displayed on the port
side when the vessel is operating at night or in
poor visibility.
Power-driven vessel
Refer ‘Motorboat
Protected waters
In South Australia, all inland waters excluding
Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina
Recreational boat
For the purposes of this handbook, a recreational
boat is one that is being used for recreational or
non-commercial purposes, or for purposes that
are not industrial or scientific.
Sailing vessel
A vessel that is operating only under the power
of sail
Scope
The ratio between the length of anchor line let
out and the depth of water
Sea anchor
Anything that can act as a source of drag in the
water, to stabilise a boat in heavy weather or
offset the effects of wind, eg. a bucket or life raft
dragged behind the vessel
Seaworthy
Of a vessel, to be adequately and safely
constructed and equipped to meet sea
conditions, including safety equipment
appropriate to where it’s being operated
Semi-protected waters
Waters inshore of a line 2 nautical miles
seaward of the low water mark of the coast of
the mainland or Kangaroo Island, or the banks
of Lakes Alexandrina and Albert.
Shore/coast
The terms ‘shore’ or ‘coast’ in this handbook
refer only to the coast or shore of the mainland
or Kangaroo Island. No other island’s shore or
coast in South Australia is used to measure
the distance out to sea for the use of safety
equipment or the operation of a vessel
Sidelights
Lights to be used at night when underway,
showing an unbroken light over an arc
of 112.5 degrees from directly ahead to
22.5 degrees abaft the beam.
Skier/waterskier
A person who is being towed in any way behind
a powered vessel, other than a person on a
device.
SOLAS
Acronym for ‘Safety Of Life At Sea’.
SOLAS lifejackets are those designed for use
far out to sea
Spar
A stout pole such as those used for masts, and
upon which buoyage marks may be placed.
Special Permit
The Special Permit authorises a person aged
12-15 years to operate a recreational vessel
fitted with an engine, under certain conditions
(except a personal watercraft) (refer Chapter 1,
Licensing & registration).
Speed
Speed is measured in knots. One knot equals
one nautical mile/hour, or 1.852 kilometres/hour
Spencer Gulf
The waters north of a line drawn from Cape
Catastrophe on Eyre Peninsula to Waterhouse
Point on Thistle Island and then to Corny Point
on Yorke Peninsula
Squall
Sudden, violent wind often accompanied by rain
Standards
All equipment listed in this handbook must
meet the standards listed in the Harbors
and Navigation Act 1993 and associated
regulations
Stand on
To maintain speed and course during a
meeting, crossing, or overtaking situation
Starboard side
Looking forward from the stern, the right hand
side of a vessel. A green sidelight is displayed
on the starboard side when the vessel is
operating at night or in poor visibility
Stem the tide
Go forward, against the current
Stern
The back or rear of a vessel.
Sternlight
A white light placed as near as practicable to
the stern, showing an unbroken light over a
135 degree arc of the horizon and fixed to show
the light 67.5 degrees from directly aft on each
side of the vessel.
Supervision
Refer ‘Direct supervision
Swamping
Sinking or filling (a vessel) with water
Tell-tale
Generally outboard motors - as well as some
inboard motors - use the water through which
the vessel is travelling to cool the motor and
stop it overheating. The ‘tell-tale’ allows for
a stream of water to be seen trailing (in most
cases) from the engine as a sign that water is
circulating through the engine cooling system
Tender
A ship or boat used to attend a larger one,
especially to supply goods and provisions,
convey orders, or carry passengers to and
from shore
Transom
The stern cross-section of a square-stern boat.
Trim
The difference between the draft forward
and the draft aft. For example, if the aft draft
is greater, the vessel is described as being
trimmed by the stern, if the forward draft
is greater, she is trimmed by the bow.
Underway
Not at anchor, tied to shore or a buoy, or
aground. If you are drifting you are underway
Unprotected waters
Waters offshore of a line 2 nautical miles
seaward of the low water mark of the coast of
the mainland and Kangaroo Island, or the banks
of Lakes Alexandrina and Albert
Upstream
In the opposite direction to the flow, or current,
of a river or stream; towards, or in, a higher part
of the stream; towards inland.
V distress sheet
A fluorescent orange-red coloured sheet
(1.8 metres by 1.2 metres) with a large black
‘V’ printed in the middle. Used for signalling
distress.
Vessel
Any type of transportation on water, including
small boats, large ships, sailboards, surfboards,
surf kites, waterskis, personal water craft (PWC)
or other similar devices on which a person rides
through the water.
Wake
The track left on the water’s surface by a
moving vessel
Wash
The swell caused by a vessel moving through
water
Whistle
Any sound signalling device capable of
producing the sound signals as prescribed by
the legislation
Windward
The side of a vessel that is facing into the wind;
the upwind side.
Yaw
To swing, swerve or steer off course
left
port
right
starboard
