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The Bosunīs Mate Glossary of Terms

The Bosunīs Mate dictionary of Nautical Terms has been compiled from many sources and is constantly being augmented and revised in our attempt to capture as much of the rich yet complicated (and often conflicting) maritime termonology as possible.

You will find an extensive list of information about all sorts of nautical items from sailorīs knots to the sailors themselves, and from ships to the weather patterns of the seas they ply.

Random terms, by category

Abbreviations and Acronyms (41 terms)
AIS
A system for tracking commercial shipping. Ships broadcast digital information regarding their name, home Port, cargo, destination, and other particulars which can then be displayed as an overlay on RADAR when tracking them as a target vessel.

Used largely in VTS systems and by Coast Guard stations.

Form more see our AIS Information page: http://www.bosunsmate.org/ais/

The things sailors do (8 terms)
Luff-up
To steer the Boat more into the wind, this could have the effect of causing the sails to flap or Luff.
Why say back when you can say aft instead! (20 terms)
Forward
Toward the Bow of the Boat.
Common sayings and expressions from maritime lore (149 terms)
Fake
1. One circle of a Coil or Rope.
2. To Coil or arrange a Rope with each Fake flat, or almost flat, on the Deck, usually in a circle or figure-of-eight pattern - used to ensure a Rope (such as the Anchor hawser) can Pay out quickly without runnign fowl.

The foods of the sea (2 terms)
Sea-pie
A favorite dish for the crew of tall ships. It could consist of almost anything, but the propper dish consisted of layers of meat, vegetables, and fish alternating with crusts of bread and/or broken biscuit - affectionately referred to as a Two or Three decker based on the number of layers.
Various knots both functional and ornamental from the nautical to the ornamental and with both historic and present day value. (12 terms)
Sheetbend
A Knot used to tie two ropes of unequal thickness together.

Also known as the weaverīs knot

Bits and bobs from life aboard ship (5 terms)
Skylarking
Playing by climbing around in the Rigging. Especially when done as high as possible.  
Specific sailing maneuvers (33 terms)
Adrift
Floating free with the wind and currents.
The points of sail and seamanship (76 terms)
Give-way-vessel
A term, from the Navigational Rules, used to describe the vessel which must yield in meeting, crossing, or overtaking situations.
The parts of ships (131 terms)
King spoke
Marked top spoke on a wheel when the Rudder is centered. Provided as a way to indicate when the Rudder was Amidships and to assist in counting turns of thr wheel so that the Helmsman would know when the wheel was hard to Starboard or Port.

The mark would frequently be in the form of a turks-head or other decorative Knot tied around this spoke.

Important people and/or their positions in nautical history (14 terms)
Limey
A nickname for British sailors coined by the Americans. It referrs to the British regulation that all registered ships had to cary a supply of lime juice and issue the same to the crew to prevent Scurvy.
Key locations of the maritime world (20 terms)
Quay
A wharf used to discharge cargo
Rigging components and terms (104 terms)
Chain plate
A steel plate or Bar by which the standing Rigging is attached to the Hull.
Sails, their parts and materials (30 terms)
Batten Pockets
Pockets in a Sail where battens can be placed to stiffen the Sail.
Types of vessels and some famous examples (22 terms)
Yacht
A sailboat or powerboat used for pleasure; ie: not a working Boat.
The various spars used aboard ship (6 terms)
Jigger-mast
After mast  the 4th Mast on a five or 6 masted Schooner or sailing Ship carrying a spanker, or the mizzen Mast of a Yawl or a Ketch.
The tools of the trade (27 terms)
Daymark
A signboard attached to a Daybeacon to convey navigational information presenting one of several standard shapes and Colors. Daymarks usually have reflective material indicating the shape, but may also be lighted.
terms awaiting clasification (36 terms)
none found
Meteorology and its relationship to sailing (7 terms)
Hurricane
A strong tropical revolving storm of force 12(65 mph) or higher in the northern hemisphere. Hurricanes revolve in a clockwise direction.
 
Total Terms: 539 Total Views: 2127749

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