Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology BeachTo run a vessel ashore deliberately
- General Nautical Terminology BeaconUsually lite, a fixed aid to navigation attached directly to the earth’s surface.
- General Nautical Terminology Beam
The widest part of a vessel, measured at its broadest point across the hull.The term beam is a fundamental concept in nautical terminology,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Beam Reach
The point of sail where the wind is coming from directly abeam, or at a right angle to the boat's centreline.
A beam reach is one of the most...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Bear AwayTo alter course away from the wind
- 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 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.