The Finest Hours Nautical Terms and Definitions

Stern

• The front part of a ship.

• The back part of a ship.

• The middle section of a ship.

• A type of ship's sail.

Bow

• The front part of a ship.

• The rear part of a ship.

• The middle section of a ship.

• A type of knot used in sailing.

Distress Signal

• A message or sign that a ship needs help.

• A type of weather warning issued by the coast guard.

• A signal used to indicate a ship's arrival at port.

• A communication method for routine updates between ships.

Coxswain

• The person who steers a small rescue boat.

• A type of rowing boat used in competitions.

• A term for a boat's engine.

• A sailor responsible for navigation.

Breakers

• Waves that crash onto the shore or rocks.

• Gentle waves that flow smoothly across the water.

• Waves that are formed far out at sea and do not reach the shore.

• Waves that are caused by underwater earthquakes.

Fog Bank

• A large, thick area of fog over the water.

• A type of cloud formation that occurs at high altitudes.

• A weather phenomenon that causes heavy rainfall.

• A term used to describe a bank of fog in a forest.

Soundings

• Measurements of how deep the water is.

• Measurements of sound frequency in water.

• Measurements of water temperature.

• Measurements of water pressure.

Hull

• The main body of a ship.

• A type of sail used in sailing vessels.

• The outer covering of a fruit or seed.

• A part of the ship used for navigation.

Bulkhead

• A wall inside a ship that divides it into sections.

• A type of cargo used in shipping.

• A device for measuring the depth of water.

• A section of the ship used for storage.

Starboard

• The left side of a ship when facing forward.

• The right side of a ship when facing forward.

• The rear side of a ship when facing forward.

• The front side of a ship when facing forward.