Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Guard RailSafety line fitted round the vessel to prevent the crew falling overboard
- General Nautical Terminology GuardrailThe guardrail is normally made of thin wire and protects the crew from falling overboard. It runs around the full deck supported by stanchions and... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology GunwaleThe upper edge of the side of a vessel
- General Nautical Terminology GuyA line attached to the end of a spar to keep it in position
- General Nautical Terminology Gybe
A gybe (jibe) is a sailing manoeuvre where a boat changes direction by turning its stern through the wind. During a gybe, the wind crosses over...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Gybe-oh!The call to indicate that the helm is being put across to gybe
- General Nautical Terminology Halyard
A line or rope used to hoist or lower a sail, flag, or spar on a boat.
The term "halyard" comes from the phrase "haul yard," which refers to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Hand Bearing Compass
A hand-bearing compass is a portable compass held in the hand that is used to take bearings of objects or landmarks to determine their location...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Handrail
A handrail is a rail designed to be grasped by the hand for support and stability. On a typical sailing yacht, one is usually mounted on the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Handy BillyA loose block and tackle with a hook or tail on each end, which can be used wherever it is needed. Usually made up of one single and one double block.
- General Nautical Terminology HankA fastener attached to the luff of the headsail that attaches the headsail to the forestay. Typical designs include a bronze or plastic hook with... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology Harbour
A harbour is a sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and other watercraft can anchor or dock safely. Harbours are typically protected from...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Harden InTo haul in the sheets to bring the sail closer to the centreline; the opposite of ease out
- General Nautical Terminology Harden UpTurn towards the wind; sail closer to the wind.
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation HAT
The highest level of sea water that can be predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions and under any combination of astronomical...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology HatchA covered opening in a ship's deck through which cargo can be loaded or access made to a lower deck; the cover to the opening is called a hatch cover
- General Nautical Terminology Haul InTo pull in, usually a sheet, halyard or anchor line
- Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Hotel (H)
The International Maritime Signal Flag Hotel.
Meaning
I have a pilot on board.
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation HDOP
Used in satellite navigation and positioning systems to quantify the accuracy of horizontal position measurements. It is a unitless factor that...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Head
Head (heads) refers to the toilet or bathroom on a boat. The heads on a boat may be equipped with a marine toilet designed to safely handle waste...
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