Glossary
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TermDefinition
- 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.
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Biscay
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Covers the Bay of Biscay, off the west coast of France and north coast of Spain.
Covering the Bay...
More Details - 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
- General Nautical Terminology Boom
A horizontal spar used to extend the foot of a sail and control its angle to the wind.
A boom is an essential part of a sailing vessel's...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Boom OutOn a run to thrust the Genoa out to windward so that it fills with wind
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Bora
A strong, cold, and dry northeasterly katabatic wind that blows from the land to the sea, particularly along the eastern Adriatic coast.
The...
More Details - Did you know?, General Nautical Terminology Bosun
Short for boatswain, the Bosun is a senior crew member responsible for the vessel's maintenance, repair, and overall operation. The bosun...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Bow
The forward part of a vessel, designed to cut through the water and reduce resistance.
The bow of a vessel is its frontmost section, typically...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Bow Line
A rope used to secure the bow of a vessel to a dock or another fixed object.
A bow line is a critical part of a vessel's mooring system,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Knot Bowline
A type of knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope, commonly employed in maritime settings for securing or towing.
The bowline is...
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