Nautical Terms
If you are not familiar with certain nautical terms, you may find the following list of commonly-used words helpful:
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Aft
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Behind or near the back of the ship.
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Ahead
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Somthing in front of the ship's bow.
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Astern
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Something behind the ship.
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Berth
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A ship's place to dock;or, a passenger's bed.
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Bow
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The front end of the ship.
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Bulkhead
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A wall or upright position separating a ship's compartments.
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Chart
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A nautical map used for navigating the ship.
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Course
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Measured in degrees, the direction in which the ship is headed.
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Debark
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To leave a ship.
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Draught
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The depth of the water needed to float a ship; the measurement from a ship's waterline to the lowest point of its keel.
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Embark
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To go on board a ship.
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Flagstaff
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The pole at the stern of the ship from which the flag of the ship's country of the registry is flown.
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Forward
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Towards or at the front of the ship.
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Galley
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The ship's kitchen.
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Hull
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The framework of the ship.
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Keel
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The main structural member of the vessel extending along the centre of the bottom: the lateral area beneath the hull.
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Knot
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A unit of ship's speed, one nautical mile (approx. 1.15 land miles) per hour.
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Latitude
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Distance north or south of the equator.
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Leeward
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Toward the side of the ship that is sheltered from the wind.
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Longitude
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Distance east or west of the Meridian of Greenwich.
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Manifest
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List of the ship's passengers and crew.
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Midship
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The middle of the ship.
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Muster
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To assemble passengers and/or crew on the ship.
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Pilot
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Person licensed to navigate ships into or out of harbours, or difficult waters.
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Port
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The left- hand side of the ship (when facing forward), signified by a red light on the side of the ship.
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Stabilisers
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Operated by gyroscope, retractable finlike devices below the waterline that extend from a ship's hull to reduce roll and provide stability.
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Starboard
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The right side of a ship (when facing forward), signified by a green light on the side of the ship.
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Stern
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The rear of the ship.
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Tender
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A vessel attending a larger one:used to ferry a passengers to and from shore at ports of call.
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Waterline
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The line along which the surface of water touches a ship's hull.
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Windward
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On the side of the ship, from which the wind is blowing.
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