Nautical Terms

ABAFT

  • Toward the rear (stern) of the boat. Behind.

BATTEN DOWN

  • Secure hatches and loose objects both within the hull and on deck.

EBB

  • A receding current.

FOLLOWING SEA

  • An overtaking sea that comes from astern.

GIVE-WAY VESSEL

  • A term used to describe the vessel which must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations.

HEADING

  • The direction in which a vessel’s bow points at any given time.

KNOT

  • A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile (6076 feet) per hour.

LONGITUDE

  • The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England.

PORT

  • The left side of a boat looking forward. A harbor.

RUNNING LIGHTS

  • Lights required to be shown on boats underway between sundown and sunup.

SECURE

  • To make fast.

TIDE

  • The periodic rise and fall of water level in the oceans.

UNDERWAY

  • Vessel in motion, i.e., when not moored, at anchor, or aground.

WINDWARD

  • Toward the direction from which the wind is coming.