Nautical terminology
Some of the most common nautical terms are described below:
(Note there are many more than are shown here)
Abaft | Towards the ships stern |
Abeam | In a line at right angles to the ship's length |
Aft | Towards the ship's stern |
Ahead | In advance of the ships bows |
Amidships | Near the centre of the ship's length |
Astern | Behind the ship |
Athwartships | From one side of the ship to another |
Athwart | Transversely |
Awash | Level with the surface of the water |
Aweigh | Anchor just raised from the sea bed |
Beam | Greatest bredth of the ship |
Boot-topping | Area of a ships hull between the light and loaded water-lines, painted a distinctive colour |
Bows | Foremost part of the ship |
Camber | Athwartship upward curve of a ships deck |
Draught | Depth of water necessary to float a ship |
Flare | The outward and upward curve of a ship's side at the bows |
Forecastle | Forward most deck of a ship |
Forward | Towards the bows |
Gaff | Spar ahead of a fore-and-aft sail or diagonal spar for flags |
Gunwale | Upper edge of a boats side |
Knot | Unit of speed. A nautical mile traversed in one hour |
Leeward | Direction to which the wind is blowing |
Lee | Sheltered side away from the wind |
Port | Left hand side when looking towards the bows |
Quarter | Direction between abeam and astern and that part of a vessel's sides near the stern |
Quarter deck | After most deck of a warship |
Rake | Slope of the stem |
Sheer | Fore-and-aft curve of a hull or deck, rising between bows and stern |
Starboard | Right hand side when looking towards the bows |
Stem | Foremost part of a ship's hull |
Stern | Aftermost part of the hull |
Topsides | Sides of hull between boot-topping and shelter deck level |
Trim | Way a vessel sits in the water, i.e. on an even keel, down by the head, or down by the stern |
Tumblehome | Upward and inward curve of a vessel's side |
Wake | Foamy water left in track of a ship |
Way/ Underway | Passage of a ship through the water |
Windward | Direction from which the wind is blowing |