Common Nautical Terms

Question 0

Aft

Answer 0

Towards the rear

Question 1

Fore

Answer 1

Toward the bow of the ship

Question 2

Bow

Answer 2

The front of the ship

Question 3

Stern

Answer 3

Back

Question 4

Port

Answer 4

Left side of the ship from the perspective of looking forward

Question 5

Starboard

Answer 5

Right side of the ship from the perspective of looking forward

Question 6

Mast

Answer 6

Vertical pole that may have a sail or rigging or antennas for powerboats

Question 7

Keel

Answer 7

Center of the hull. Lowest in water where weight is most carried

Question 8

Lee

Answer 8

Side of the vessel sheltered from wind

Question 9

Windward

Answer 9

Side of vessel wind is coming from

Question 10

Hawser

Answer 10

Large line

Question 11

Strike

Answer 11

Lower or bring down

Question 12

Aloft

Answer 12

Above the ships uppermost solid structure, overhead, or high above

Question 13

Alongside

Answer 13

By the side of the pier or ship

Question 14

Awash

Answer 14

So low in the water that the water is constantly washing across the service

Question 15

Billet

Answer 15

A crew members assigned duties within the ships organization

Question 16

BMOW

Answer 16

Boatswain’s mate of the watch is responsible to ensure all watches are properly manned and in order

Question 17

Beam

Answer 17

Greatest athwart ships width of a vessel

Question 18

Brow

Answer 18

A moveable ladder or ram used for boarding a vessel from a dock

Question 19

Centerline

Answer 19

Imaginary line running from ship’s bow to stern

Question 20

Check

Answer 20

To slack of slowly

Question 21

David

Answer 21

Shipboard crane that can be swung out over the side

Question 22

EOW

Answer 22

An officer in charge of the engineering department while on watch

Question 23

Fast

Answer 23

Snugly secured

Question 24

Fathom

Answer 24

A six foot unit of length

Question 25

Fender

Answer 25

A piece of equipment, such as an inflated ball when inserted between the vessel and another object will absorb shock and prevent damage

Question 26

Forecastle

Answer 26

Upper deck in the upper part of the ship, pronounced- "FOKE-sul"

Question 27

Gunwale

Answer 27

Upper edge or rail of a ship or boat's side, pronounced "GUN'nle"

Question 28

Inboard

Answer 28

Toward the center of the ship

Question 29

Outboard

Answer 29

Away from the center of the hull

Question 30

Part

Answer 30

To break, as of a line

Question 31

Scullery

Answer 31

Compartment for washing and sterilizing eating utensils

Question 32

Turn to

Answer 32

An order to begin work

Question 33

Void

Answer 33

An empty compartment below decks

Question 34

Wake

Answer 34

The track left in the water behind the ship

Question 35

Yaw

Answer 35

Zigzagging motion of a vessel as it carried off its heading by strong seas