A

• ABAFT: toward the rear
• ABOARD: on the boat
• ABOVE DECK: on the deck
• ADRIFT: floating without being moored or steered
• AHEAD: in a forward direction
• ALOFT: above the deck
• AMIDSHIPS: toward the center of the boat
• ANCHORAGE: a spot that is suitable for anchoring
• ASTERN: back of the boat or opposite of ahead

B

• BEAM: width of the boat
• BELOW DECK: beneath the deck
• BOW: forward area of the boat
• BOW LINE: docking line leading from the bow
• BULKHEAD: vertical wall or partition separating areas or compartments on a boat
• BUOY: anchored float

C

• CABIN: compartment of the boat for passengers
• CAPSIZE: when a boat turns on its side or upside down in the water
• CAST OFF: to undo the lines that hold a boat in a fixed position
• COCKPIT: location aboard the boat that has the helm and seating
• COURSE: direction to which the boat is steered

D

• DEAD AHEAD: directly ahead
• DEAD ASTERN: directly aft
• DISPALCEMENT: weight of water displaced by a craft
• DOCK: structural area where boats are moored
• DRAFT: water depth needed to support the boat

F

• FENDER: cushion placed between two boats – basically a bumper
• FLARE: distress signal
• FOREPEAK: a compartment of the bow in a small boat,  such as the anchor locker
• FORWARD: toward the bow of the boat
• FOULED: equipment that is jammed

G

• GALLEY: kitchen area of the boat
• GANGWAY: plank or footbridge used to cross over water
• GROUND TACKLE: anchor and its corresponding equipment, including shackle, chain and line

H

• HEAD: a marine toilet
• HEADWAY: forward motion of the boat
• HELM: wheel controlling the rudder
• HOLD: compartment below the deck
• HULL: main body of the boat

I

• INBOARD: toward the center of the boat

K

• KNOT: a unit to measure speed of the craft

L

• LEE: an area protected by the wind
• LEEARD: direction away from the wind
• LEEWAY: sideways movement of the boat

M

• MIDSHIP: area of the ship in equal distance between the bow and stern
• MOORING: putting the boat in a fixed position with a mooring ball secured to the sea floor

N

• NAUTICAL MILE: a unit used to measure distance at sea (approximately 2,025 yards)
• NAVIGATION: steering a boat safely from one area to another aided by charts, radar, GPS and dead reckoning

O

• OUTBOARD: towards the boat’s sides

P

• PIER: a loading platform
• PLANING HULL: type of hull shaped to glide more easily
• PORT: left side of the boat
• PORT BOW: front left side of the boat
• PORT QUARTER: rear left side of the boat

R

• RODE: anchor line
• RUDDER: plate or board for steering the boat
• RUNNING LIGHTS: required lights affixed to the craft that display the aspect of the vessel

S

• SCREW: the boat’s propeller
• SEA ROOM: when the craft is considered a safe distance from the shore
• SEAWORTHY: when a boat can handle the conditions of the sea
• SECURE: stow equipment from moving about the boat
• SLACK: to loosen
• SOUNDING: a unit of measurement for the depth of the water
• STARBOARD: right side of the boat
• STARBOARD BOW: front right side of the boat
• STARBOARD QUARTER: rear right side of the boat
• STERN: aft-most part of the boat

T

• TIDE: the rising and falling of the sea
• TOPSIDE: part of a boat’s side above the waterline
• TRANSOM: the stern cross-section

U

• UNDERWAY: when a craft is not moored, anchored or docked but in-route

W

• WAKE:  a track in the water left by the movement of the boat
• WATERLINE: a line painted on the hull of the boat where the boat meets the water; also the position of the “boot stripe” on the hell
• WINDWARD: toward the direction to which the wind is coming from

Y

• YAW: to steer off course