Nautical Definitions/Terms for Scuba Divers

Nautical Terms

In USA: 800-633-4837

Reef Scuba Accessories, Inc.

Fax: 757-547-2100

Did you know that a dinghy, skiff, tender, zodiac, or a lifeboat is carried on a boat? Did you know that a boat is carried on a ship?
Helps to remember the sizes, huh...

Types of Vessels

Boat	A seagoing vessel under 150' in length.
Dinghy	A small boat usually without a motor-most times rowed by oars but not always.
Lifeboat	Can be a zodiac or tender used to carry passengers if they need to abandon ship.
MV or M/V	Motor or Marine Vessel motored by a diesel/gas motor or mechanical propulsion.
MY or M/Y	Marine Yacht is used for racing or cruising. Run by diesel/gas motor, wind or mechanical propulsion.
Skiff	Any of various small boats; especially : a flat-bottomed rowboat.
Ship	A seagoing vessel greater than 150' in length. Used for luxury cruises, import and export.
Tender	Small boat with motor to transfer passengers from a boat/ship to take them to shore or to a boat.
Zodiac	Inflatable rubber boat with a small motor that moves quickly to divers in water to pick them up.

Parts of the Boat

Aft	Toward or at the rear or stern of the boat.
Amidship	The center of the boat.
Astern	Toward the rear of the boat.
Ballast	Heavy weight, seawater, which is necessary for stability/safety of a ship which is not carrying cargo.
Beam	The maximum width of the boat.
Berth	Sleeping quarters usually for crew.
Bow	The forward part/front of the boat.
Broadside	The side of the boat.
Cabin	A place to sleep in your bed/berth or any part of the ship that is protected from the elements.
Draft /Draught	The depth to which the boat is immersed in water.
Fender	A cushion placed between boats or a boat and the dock to prevent damage.
Flatbottom	The hull of the boat has a flattened shape (water less turbulent) and moves smoother and faster.
Fore/ Forward	Toward the bow/front of the boat.
Freeboard	The minimum vertical distance from the surface of the water to the gunwale.
Gunwale	The upper edge of a boat's sides, usually with railing.
Helm	A lever or wheel controlling the rudder of a ship for steering.
Hull	The main body of the boat on the outside that sits in the water.
Keel/ Shoe	The centerline of a boat running fore and aft (the backbone of a boat).
Length	The length of the boat from the bow to the stern - in feet.
Midship	Approximately in the location equally distant from the bow and the stern.
Port	The left side of the boat looking forward.
Rudder	A metal or wood plate on the stern of the boat used to direct the course of the boat.
Saloon	On dive boats, it is usually the eating and entertainment area of the boat.
Starboard	The right side of a boat when facing the front or forward end.
Stern	The rear of the boat.
Topside	The side of a boat between the waterline and the deck; referring to onto or above deck.
Trim	The fore and aft balance of a boat.
V Hull	A boat with a hull that has a more V shape to cut through rough waters.
Waterline	A line painted on the hull which shows the point to where a boat sinks when it is properly trimmed.
Wheel	The instrument used to steer the boat.
Wheelhouse	Another term for cockpit more commonly used.

Nautical Terminology

Above Deck	On the topside of the boat/deck.
Aground	The ship is touching or fast to the bottom.
Anchor	Any heavy object used to secure the boat in one place.
Anchorage	A place suitable for anchoring in relation to the wind, seas and bottom conditions.
Below	Beneath the deck.
Buoy	An anchored float used for making a position of the water of a hazard/shoal or reef and for mooring.
ETA	Estimated time of arrival.
ETD	Estimated time of departure.
Fathom	1.8 meters or 6 ft, used to measure depth below the surface to an object.
Itinerary	The route schedule.
Log	A record of courses or operation. Also, a device to measure speed.
Manifest	Inventory of cargo/passengers on board.
Moor	To attach ropes to a dock for stabilization of the boat and maintain distance between the boat and the pier.
Nautical Mile	The distance a boat travels calculated by speed x time x distance (6,076.115ft = distance).
Navigation	The art and science of conducting a boat from one designation to another.
Overboard	Over the side or out of the boat.
Scope	The distance from the anchor or mooring buoy to the boat.

Directional Definitions

Aids to Navigation	Artificial objects to supplement natural landmarks indicating safe or unsafe waters.
EBB	A receding current.
Knot	A measurement of speed equal to one nautical mile (6,076 feet) per hour.
Latitude	The distance north or south of the equator measured and expressed in degrees.
Leeward	The direction of the boat away from the wind.
Leeway	The sideways movement of the boat caused by either wind or current.
Longitude	The distance in degrees east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England.
ROB	Remaining on board the boat.
Seaworthiness	Statement of condition of the boat (certificates, fully equipped and manned, etc.)
Satellite Navigation	A form of position finding using radio transmission from satellites with onboard equipment.
Tide	The periodic rise and fall of water level in the oceans.
Windward	Toward the direction, with the boat, from which the wind is coming.
YAW	To swing or steer off course, as when running with a quartering sea.

The Crew

Activity Director	The person in charge of the social activities during the journey. Give itinerary notices, gives lectures on marine life and preservation, acts as a guide for divers in the water, and conducts the entertainment schedule during the tour.
Captain	The person who operates the boat and is responsible for the safety of the guests, crew, and the boat.
Chef	The person who prepares the meals and snacks for the guests.
Dive Master	Presents dive site report to guests. Supervises the dive deck with other Dive Masters to help divers in and out of the water. Gives underwater tours.
Engineer	Responsible for maintenance of the boat's mechanical, motors, water system, compressors, & monitoring systems.
First Mate	The second person in charge in the captain's absence or navigation if the captain is not steering the boat.
Galley Assistant	Helps the chef by cleaning dishes, setting tables, and helping when needed.
Instructor	The instructor(s) on board teaching scuba diving, photography, or Videography classes.
Purser	Person responsible for collection of monies for purchase of souvenirs, videos, pictures, etc.
Photographer	Takes topside and underwater pictures, develops guest's pictures, and conducts a photo contest of the guest's photos.
Steward	A person who does general cleaning of the boat, laundry, cleans rooms, and helps serve meals.
Videographer	A person who films the guests topside and underwater at the dive sites, compiles a video to show/sell at the end of the trip.

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Copyright © 1989-2009 Reef Scuba Accessories, Inc., 905 Shillelagh Rd Bldg 2, Chesapeake, VA 23323 USA All rights reserved worldwide.Revised: January 05, 2009

Copyright © 1989-2009 Reef Scuba Accessories, Inc., 905 Shillelagh Rd Bldg 2, Chesapeake, VA 23323 USA
All rights reserved worldwide.
Revised: January 05, 2009