Seamanship - Naval Terminologies

Port

Left-hand side of a ship when facing forward.

Starboard

Right-hand side of a ship when facing forward.

Bow

Forward-most part or sides of a ship.

Stern

After-most part of a ship.

Forecastle (Fox’cle)

Forward part of the main deck.

Quarterdeck

Aft part of the main deck.

Superstructure

Any structure built above the main deck.

Coaming

Raised edge around a hatchway to prevent water ingress.

Bridge / Wheelhouse

Elevated platform from which a vessel is navigated and deck activities observed.

Draught

Depth of the keel below the waterline at any point along the hull.

Freeboard

Vertical distance from the waterline to the highest continuous deck.

Deck

Continuous horizontal surface of a ship.

Weather Deck

Deck exposed to the weather.

01 Deck / 02 Deck

Decks above the main deck, typically within the superstructure.

Deckhead

Ceiling of a compartment.

Bulkhead

Interior wall of a ship.

Door

Vertical opening providing access between compartments.

Hatch

Horizontal opening providing access between decks.

Upper Deck

Highest continuous weather deck.

Lower Deck

Deck below the main deck.

Main Deck

Principal deck extending the full length of the ship.

Q-Deck

Designated quarterdeck area on certain ships.

Flight Deck

Deck used for aircraft take-off and landing.

Gun Deck

Deck where guns are mounted or historically carried.

Boat Deck

Deck where ship’s boats are stowed.

Fairlead

Fitting that guides a rope in a desired direction.

Bollard

Strong post on deck to which mooring lines are secured.

Stanchion

Small upright post along the edge of a deck supporting guardrails.

Guardrail

Cable or rail run around stanchions for safety.

Ahead

Direction directly in front of the ship.

Astern

Direction 180° behind the ship.

Abeam

Direction 90° to port or starboard (mid-ship line).

Quarter (direction)

Area of the ship’s side near the stern.

Fine

Bearing between ahead and abeam (forward of the beam).

Fathom

Unit of length equal to 6 feet; used for rope or water depth.

Cable

Unit of length equal to one-tenth of a nautical mile (≈200 yd / 185.2 m).

Shackle

Unit of length for anchor cable, equal to 90 ft (27.5 m).

Nautical Mile

Distance unit equal to 1 852 m or 2 000 yd.

Knot

Speed unit: one nautical mile per hour.

All hands

Entire crew of the ship.

Alongside

Situation when a vessel is beside another vessel or a wharf.

Belay

To secure a line on a cleat; also to cancel an order.

Bone Dry

Completely dry, without any moisture.

Brightwork

Polished metal fittings on board.

Brow

Area near the gangway where quartermaster duties are performed.

Chafe

Wear on a rope caused by rubbing against a solid object.

Check

To ease off a line gradually.

Coil

To lay a rope down in circular turns.

Double Up

To add extra mooring lines for security.

Dressing Ship

Displaying national colors at all mastheads and signal flags bow-to-stern.

Ensign

Flag flown to denote a ship’s nationality.

Fake

Single turn or coil of a rope laid on deck.

Fender

Cushion preventing contact between ship and wharf or another vessel.

Foul

Entangled, obstructed, or turned bad.

Gangway

Narrow platform between ship and shore for embarkation/disembarkation.

Gash

Rubbish or garbage.

Gallery

Ship’s kitchen.

Graveyard Watch

Middle watch (typically midnight to 0400).

Head

Ship’s toilet.

Heave

To haul or pull on a line.

Holiday

Spot missed during cleaning or painting.

Iris Pennants

Untidy loose end of a rope.

Jack

Flag similar to the national flag flown at the bow.

Jettison

To throw goods overboard.

Jolly Roger

Pirate flag depicting skull and crossbones.

Kink

Twist in a rope.

Leeward

Direction away from the wind.

Liberty

Permission for crew to go ashore.

Mess

Area where crew eat, socialise, or live.

Monkey Island

Small flying bridge atop the pilothouse.

Pay Out

To slack or release a line while still secured.

Pitch

Up-and-down motion of a vessel’s bow and stern.

Port Hole

Small circular window in the ship’s hull.

Roll

Side-to-side motion of a vessel.

Sea Chest

Intake space between ship side and sea valve; also sailor’s trunk.

Sea Dog

Experienced old sailor.

Secure

To make fast; also to finish an exercise or duty.

Slack

Portion of a rope hanging loose.

Stand By

Order to wait and be ready.

Take a Turn

Pass a line around a belaying pin or cleat once.

Taut

Line with no slack; tight.

Wash

Water disturbance caused by a vessel’s movement.

White Horse

Ripples or foam on sea surface caused by strong wind or turbulence.

Windward

Direction from which the wind is blowing.