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.