Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Bearing
Bearing is the direction of an object or point relative to a fixed reference point, measured in degrees clockwise from true north. Bearings are...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Bearing to Waypoint (BTW)
Bearing to waypoint refers to the direction to reach a specific point, known as a waypoint. The bearing is given as the crow flies and does not...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology BeatingSailing towards the wind with the sails hauled in tight
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Beaufort Scale
A scale used for estimating and reporting wind speeds based on observed sea conditions.
British Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort developed it in...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Below Deck
Below deck refers to the interior spaces of a vessel located beneath the main deck or upper deck. These areas typically include crew quarters,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Bermudan RigA triangular mainsail, without any upper spar, which is hoisted up the mast by a single halyard attached to the head of the sail. This... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology Bermuda Rig
A type of sail rig characterised by a tall, triangular mainsail set behind a single mast, commonly used on modern sailing yachts and...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology BerthA place where a vessel can be tied up; A sleeping place on a vessel; To give an obstruction wide clearance by keeping well clear
- General Nautical Terminology Bi-colour LightCombined red (port) and green (starboard) light positioned on the bow
- General Nautical Terminology Bight
A loop created in the standing part of a rope.
- General Nautical Terminology Bilge PumpUsed to empty unwanted water from the vessel. Can be automatic, manual and mobile and are usually positioned to collect the water from the lowest... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology BilgesThe compartment at the bottom of the hull of a ship or boat where water collects and must be pumped out of the vessel.
- General Nautical Terminology Bimini
A canvas or fabric top supported by a metal frame, typically found on boats to provide shade and protection from the sun.
A Bimini is a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology BinnacleThe stand on which the ship's compass is mounted, usually in front of the wheel. May also carry navigation instruments.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter B (Flag Semaphore)
This shape represents the Letter B (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 2 (Flag Semaphore).
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter B (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter B.
- General Nautical Terminology Block
A type of pulley system used to change the direction of a line, rope, or cable on a boat. Blocks consist of one or more grooved wheels, called...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Boat HookA pole with a hook on the end, used to reach into the water to catch buoys or other floating objects.
- General Nautical Terminology Boat WindJust like running down the road or cycling downhill you will feel the wind on your face; boat wind is just the same. As the boat moves through the... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology BollardStrong fitting, firmly bolted to the deck, to which mooring lines are made fast. Large bollards are on quays, piers and pontoons