

They are mostly found at the entrances of great rivers or havens, and often render navigation extremely dangerous, but confer tranquility once inside. Bar Large mass of sand or earth, formed by the surge of the sea. Banyan Traditional Royal Navy term for a day or shorter period of rest and relaxation. Bank (sea floor) A large area of elevated sea floor. Baggywrinkle A soft covering for cables (or any other obstructions) that prevents sail chafing from occurring. Backstays Long lines or cables, reaching from the rear of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast. Azimuth circle Instrument used to take bearings of celestial objects.ī - Back and fill To use the advantage of the tide being with you when the wind is not. The azimuth of an object is its bearing from the observer measured as an angle clockwise from true north. Azimuth compass An instrument employed for ascertaining position of the sun with respect to magnetic north.

Aye, aye Reply to an order or command to indicate that it, firstly, is heard and, secondly, is understood and will be carried out. Aweigh Position of an anchor just clear of the bottom. Awash So low in the water that the water is constantly washing across the surface. Avast Stop! Cease or desist from whatever is being done. ATON See Aid to Navigation above and associated image. Athwart, athwartships At right angles to the fore and aft or centerline of a ship. Asylum Harbor A harbor used to provide shelter from a storm. Astern Toward the stern an object or vessel that is abaft another vessel or object. Most marine GPS units have an Anchor Watch alarm capability. Important during rough weather and at night. Anchor watch Making sure that the anchor is holding and the vessel is not drifting. Two such lights are displayed by a ship over 150 feet (46 m) in length. Anchor light White light displayed by a ship at anchor. Anchor detail Group of men who handle ground tackle when the ship is anchoring or getting underway. Anchor chain or cable Chain connecting the ship to the anchor. Anchor buoy A small buoy secured by a light line to anchor to indicate position of anchor on bottom. Anchor ball Black shape hoisted in forepart of a ship to show that ship is anchored in a fairway. Anchor's aweigh Said of an anchor when just clear of the bottom. Anchorage A suitable place for a ship to anchor. Anchor An object designed to prevent or slow the drift of a ship, attached to the ship by a line or chain typically a metal, hook like, object designed to grip the bottom under the body of water. Amidships (or midships) In the middle portion of ship, along the line of the keel. Aloft Above the ship's uppermost solid structure overhead or high above. All hands Entire ship's company, both officers and enlisted personnel. Aid to Navigation (ATON) Any device external to a vessel or aircraft specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course, or to warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation. Term used to hail a boat or a ship, as "Boat ahoy!". Aground Resting on or touching the ground or bottom. It can also be used to mean "absent without leave". Also refers to any gear not fastened down or put away properly. It may also imply that a vessel is not anchored and not under control, therefore goes where the wind and current take her, (loose from moorings, or out of place). Adrift Afloat and unattached in any way to the shore or seabed. In UK administered by the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice. Admiralty law Body of law that deals with maritime cases. Derivation reputedly Arabic, from "Emir al Bath" ("Ruler of the waters"). In ascending order of seniority, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral and Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy). Admiral Senior naval officer of Flag rank.
Navy ship lingo meaning portable#
Accommodation ladder A portable flight of steps down a ship's side. Abeam "On the beam", a relative bearing at right angles to the centerline of the ship's keel. "two points abaft the port beam." Abandon Ship An imperative to leave the vessel immediately, usually in the face of some imminent danger. Abaft the beam A relative bearing of greater than 90 degrees from the bow. Abaft Toward the stern, relative to some object ("abaft the fore hatch"). Some are ones that we use in everyday language - now you can know the origins.Ī Above board On or above the deck, in plain view, not hiding anything. Please enjoy this nautical glossary of sailing terms.
