Studied by 1 person
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
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
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
Maximum width of the boat. 2. A horizontal athwartship support of the deck.
Bearing
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
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.
Note 
Flashcard (106)