Boating Terms (A-Z) (flashcards)

Abeam

Off the boat at right angles to the center line.

A drift

Unattached to shore or bottom, floating out of control.

Aft

Near or toward the stern.

A ground

Touching or stuck on the bottom.

Ahead

1. The direction towards the bow of the boat relative to the observer. 2. In front of the boat. 3. Moving in a forward direction.

Aids to navigation

Charted objects used to assist in determining position, safe course, or to warn of dangers (e.g., buoys, beacons).

All around light

A light showing an uninterrupted arc of 360° on the horizon.

Mid shift

In or near the middle of the boat.

Anchor

Device used to secure a boat to the bottom of a body of water.

Anchorage

Suitable or designated place where boats anchor.

Astern

1. Direction toward the stern relative to the observer. 2. Behind a boat. 3. Moving in reverse.

Automatic Information System (AIS)

An automatic tracking system used for collision avoidance on vessels.

Bail

To remove water by scooping it out with a bucket.

Beacon

Anything that serves as a signal or indication for guidance or warning. A fixed non-floating aid to navigation.

Beam

1. Maximum width of the boat. 2. A horizontal athwartship support of the deck.

Bearing

1. Horizontal direction of an object from an observer, expressed as an angle from a reference direction. 2. A device for supporting a rotating shaft with minimum friction.

Berths

A bed or a place for mooring your boat in a harbor or port.

Below

Beneath the deck.

Bend

To make faster; to secure a line to another line or object.

Bilge

Lowest part of a boat.

Boulder fatigue

Exposure to noise, vibration, sun, glare, wind, and other motion on the water produces fatigue.

Boom

A horizontal spar used to hold the bottom of a sail.

Bow

Forward end of a boat.

Bow line

Line used at the bow of a vessel.

Bowline

A knot used to form an eye or loop in the end of a line.

Braided rope

Rope fibers that are interwoven in clockwise and counterclockwise directions along the length of the line.

Bridge clearance

Vertical clearance under a bridge at mean high water.

Bridge communications

Used for navigation communication between large commercial vessels and does not normally involve recreational boaters.

Bridal

A length of line or wire rope with both ends secured or a secure loop to which another line is attached.

Broach

To turn a boat broadside to wind or wave, subjecting it to possible capsizing.

Buoy

Anchored floating device used as an aid to navigation.

Buoyancy

The upward force exerted by a fluid on a body or object in that fluid.

Cabin

The enclosed or decked over living space of a boat.

Canoe

A small paddle boat that usually has symmetrical hulls with pointed bow-like structures at each end, normally open on top.

Capsize

To turn over or upset.

Carrying handle

Handles at each end of kayaks to facilitate lift.

Carrying yolk

A permanent strut located at midship used in transporting the canoe.

Cast off

To let go a line; to set loose or unfasten.

Center board

A pivoted board that can be lowered through a slot in the keel to reduce leeway.

Center line

A fore-and-aft line that runs along the exact center of a boat.

Chines

The lengthwise breaks in a hull's shape.

Chock

A fitting to guide a line or cable.

Cleat

Fitting to which lines are made fast.

Cockpit

Well or sunken space in the deck.

Coil

To arrange a line in loops.

Cold shock

Initial cold shock occurs within the first 3 to 5 minutes of cold water immersion.

Cold water immersion

Dangerous and may kill quickly before hypothermia sets in.

COLREGS

Regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

Compass course

The course as indicated by the boat's compass.

Compass error

The combined effect of variation and deviation.

Controlled area marks

Regulatory marks indicating types of control.

Cordage

A general term for all types of rope.

Course

The direction in which a boat is steered through the water.

Course over ground

Actual direction of travel of a boat over the bottom.

Course steered

The direction in which the bow of the boat is pointed when underway.

Crown

The point on an anchor where the shank joins the arms.

Cuddy

A shelter cabin in a small boat.

Current

The horizontal movement of water.

Dagger board

A sliding board that can be lowered through the keel.

Dangerous area marks

Regulatory marks indicating dangers in the water.

Datum

The reference plane from which depths of water are measured.

DayBeacon

Unlighted fixed aid to navigation.

Dead rise

The design angle between the bottom of the boat and its widest part.

Deck

The portion of the boat that covers the hull.

Deck hatch

Hatches for storage or access to water-tight compartments.

Deck plate

A small deck plate on a canoe providing structural integrity.

Deviation

Disturbing effect of the boat's magnetic field upon its compass.

Digital selective calling (DSC)

An automated format for contacting other radios.

Dinghy

Small open boat used as a tender or lifeboat.

Displacement

The weight of water displaced by a floating vessel.

Displacement Hull

The hull that maintains its full displacement of water regardless of speed.

Distress call

Urgent distress communication under international radio telephone procedures.

Diver – below flag

Flag indicating the location of free swimming divers.

Doc

An area of water where vessels can be made fast.

Draft

1. Depth of water needed to float a boat. 2. The fullness of a sail.

Entrapment

Occurs in flowing water when a paddler becomes snagged.

Exclusion area marks

Regulatory marks indicating prohibited areas.

Eye

A fixed loop at the end of a line.

Fast

Secure; to make something fast is to secure it.

Fathom

Nautical linear measurement equal to 6 feet.

Fender

Protective device between a boat and another object.

Fishing

Using lines or nets to catch fish.

Fix

Relatively accurate position, determined without reference to any former position.

Flashing light

Light flashing at regular intervals.

Flying bridge

Raised steering position on a power boat.

Fog

Water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.

Fore-and-aft

Parallel to the center line or keel.

Forward

Toward the bow.

Foul

Jammed, entangled, not clear, hindered or impeded.

FM – frequency modulation

Transmission of intelligence by varying a radio frequency.

Galley

Area where food is stored and cooked.

Gear

General name for all non-permanent nautical equipment.

Give-way vessel

The vessel that must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations.

Grounding

Slang term for having run aground.

Head

Marine toilet or the foremost part of a boat.

Heading

Direction in which boat is pointing at a given moment.

Headway

Boat's forward momentum.

Helm

The tiller or wheel and related steering gear.

Helmsman

The one who steers the boat.

H. E. L. P.

Acronym for heat, escape, lessening, posture.