Abaft
Toward the stern.
Abeam
Amidships, at a right angle to the keel.
Aboard
On, in, or into a boat.
ABYC
American Boat and Yacht Council, Inc.,
the organization that sets voluntary
safety and construction standards for
small craft in the USA.
Adrift
Without motive power and without
anchor or mooring.
Afloat
On the water.
Aft
Describing the after section of a vessel,
or things to the rear of amidships and
near the stern.
Aground
Touching bottom.
Amidships
In the center, the center portion of a
vessel.
Anchor
A forging or casting shaped to grip the
sea bottom and, by means of a cable or
rope, hold a boat in a desired position.
Anchorage
A customary, suitable and (usually) des-
ignated harbor area in which vessels
may anchor.
Astern
Toward the stern. An object that is aft of
a boat is said to be astern of the boat.
Athwart
Across.
Aweigh
Off the bottom, said of an anchor.
Aye
Yes, while aboard a boat or ship. Means
“I understand.”
Bail (Bale)
To remove water from a boat by pump
or bailer.
Ballast
Heavy material such as iron, lead, or
stone placed in the bottom of the vessel.
Beacon
A post or buoy placed over a shoal or
bank to warn vessels, also a signal
mark on land.
Beam
Imaginary line amidships at right angles
to keel of vessel. Also vessel’s width
amidships.
Bearing
The direction or point of the compass in
which an object is seen.
Belay
To make fast to a cleat or belaying pin;
to cancel an order.
Below
Beneath, or under, the deck. One goes
below when going down into the cabin.
Bend
To fasten by means of a bend or knot.
Berth
A position, as a place to sleep or in
which a vessel may be made fast; a
margin of safety, as “a wide berth.”
7.1
NAUTICAL TERMINOLOGY 7
Abaft
Toward the stern.
Abeam
Amidships, at a right angle to the keel.
Aboard
On, in, or into a boat.
ABYC
American Boat and Yacht Council, Inc.,
the organization that sets voluntary
safety and construction standards for
small craft in the USA.
Adrift
Without motive power and without
anchor or mooring.
Afloat
On the water.
Aft
Describing the after section of a vessel,
or things to the rear of amidships and
near the stern.
Aground
Touching bottom.
Amidships
In the center, the center portion of a
vessel.
Anchor
A forging or casting shaped to grip the
sea bottom and, by means of a cable or
rope, hold a boat in a desired position.
Anchorage
A customary, suitable and (usually) des-
ignated harbor area in which vessels
may anchor.
Astern
Toward the stern. An object that is aft of
a boat is said to be astern of the boat.
Athwart
Across.
Aweigh
Off the bottom, said of an anchor
.
Aye
Yes, while aboard a boat or ship. Means
“I understand.”
Bail (Bale)
To remove water from a boat by pump
or bailer.
Ballast
Heavy material such as iron, lead, or
stone placed in the bottom of the vessel.
Beacon
A post or buoy placed over a shoal or
bank to warn vessels, also a signal
mark on land.
Beam
Imaginary line amidships at right angles
to keel of vessel. Also vessel’s width
amidships.
Bearing
The direction or point of the compass in
which an object is seen.
Belay
To make fast to a cleat or belaying pin;
to cancel an order.
Below
Beneath, or under, the deck. One goes
below when going down into the cabin.
Bend
To fasten by means of a bend or knot.
Berth
A position, as a place to sleep or in
which a vessel may be made fast; a
margin of safety, as “a wide berth.”
7.1
NAUTICAL TERMINOLOGY
7
