Glossary Archive

Part of the standing rigging which provides support fore-and-aft

A global agreement established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure seafarers are properly trained, certified, and competent to perform their duties on board ships. The STCW Convention was first adopted in 1978 and came into force in 1984, marking the first time minimum international standards for seafarers' training, certification, and watchkeeping were established....

Instruction given to the helmsman to keep the boat on her present course

Alternative name for a masthead light

The compass permanently mounted adjacent to the helmsman which he uses as a reference to keep the boat on a given course    

A mechanical device used in steering systems on boats, consisting of a quadrant-shaped gear connected to the rudder to control the direction of the vessel.  A steering quadrant is a component of a boat's steering system, translating the movement of the steering wheel into a turning motion of the rudder. It is typically attached to...

The forward most part of the hull

The rear or aft-most part of a vessel. The stern is a critical part of any boat or ship, as it is the section located at the very back of the vessel, opposite the bow (the front). Historically, the stern was often ornately decorated, especially on older sailing ships, but in modern vessels, it is...

A stern drive is a propulsion system commonly used in recreational motor vessels. It consists of an inboard engine connected to a steerable drive unit mounted on the boat's transom. The drive unit includes a propeller that provides thrust to propel the boat forward, while the steering mechanism allows for directional control. Stern drives are...

A white navigational light mounted at the rear of a vessel, visible from directly behind and within a specified arc, used to indicate the vessel's position and heading to other boats during nighttime or low-visibility conditions. A stern light is an essential component of a vessel's navigation lighting system, as mandated by the International Regulations...