Coast Guard Nautical Terminology

Front 1

AFT

Back 1

Towards the rear

Front 2

ALOFT

Back 2

Above the ship's uppermost solid structure or high above

Front 3

ALONGSIDE

Back 3

By the side of the pier or ship

Front 4

AVAST

Back 4

Stop

Front 5

AWASH

Back 5

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

Front 6

AYE AYE, SIR/MA'AM

Back 6

I understand your order and will comply

Front 7

BARRACKS

Back 7

A building where military personnel live.

Front 8

BEAM

Back 8

Greatest athwart ships width of a vessel

Front 9

BELAY

Back 9

(1) To make fast or secure a line. (2) To cancel an order. (3) To cease

Front 10

BELOW

Back 10

Beneath the deck (downstairs).

Front 11

BILLET

Back 11

A crew members assigned duties within the ships organization

Front 12

BMOW

Back 12

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

Front 13

BOW

Back 13

The front of the ship

Front 14

BROW

Back 14

A movable ladder or ram used for boarding a vessel from a dock or pier

Front 15

BULKHEAD

Back 15

A partition or “wall” on a vessel.

Front 16

CABIN

Back 16

The Commanding Officer’s living quarters.

Front 17

CENTERLINE

Back 17

Imaginary line running from ship's bow to stern

Front 18

CHECK

Back 18

To slack off slowly, to ease off a line a little.

Front 19

COLORS

Back 19

Flag

Front 20

COMPARTMENT

Back 20

Enclosed spaces or “rooms” on a vessel.

Front 21

DAVIT

Back 21

Shipboard crane that can be swung out over the side.

Front 22

DECK

Back 22

The "floor" of a vessel (also used to refer to the floor in land based coast guard stations)

Front 23

EOW

Back 23

(Engineering Officer of the Watch) An officer in charge of the engineering department while on watch

Front 24

EYES IN THE BOAT

Back 24

Look straight ahead at position of attention.

Front 25

FAST

Back 25

Snugly Secured

Front 26

FATHOM

Back 26

A six foot unit of length

Front 27

FENDER

Back 27

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

Front 28

FORE

Back 28

Towards the bow of the ship

Front 29

FORECASTLE

Back 29

Upper deck in the forward part of the ship, pronouced "FOKE-sul."

Front 30

FORWARD

Back 30

Towards the bow (pronounced “forrard”).

Front 31

GALLEY

Back 31

The cooking compartment or “kitchen” on a vessel.

Front 32

GUNWALE

Back 32

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

Front 33

HATCH

Back 33

A square or rectangular opening in a deck.

Front 34

HAWSER

Back 34

A thick rope or cable for mooring or towing a ship

Front 35

HEAD

Back 35

The compartment with toilet facilities; bathroom.

Front 36

HEADING

Back 36

The direction a ship points at any given moment.

Front 37

INBOARD

Back 37

Toward the ship’s center line.

Front 38

KEEL

Back 38

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

Front 39

LADDER

Back 39

Steps from one deck to another.

Front 40

LEEWARD (LEE)

Back 40

Direction away from the wind

Front 41

MAST

Back 41

The vertical structure from a vessel that frequently holds rigging for flags and pennants, electronic equipment, and the National Ensign while underway; the flagpole at a land unit.

Front 42

MESSDECK

Back 42

The compartment where enlisted personnel eat

Front 43

MUSTER

Back 43

Assembly of the crew for accountability.

Front 44

OOD

Back 44

Officer Of the Day/Deck. An officer who is in charge of a vessel or station for the day or watch

Front 45

OUTBOARD

Back 45

Out, away from the ship’s center line.

Front 46

OVERHEAD

Back 46

The ceiling on a vessel/compartment.

Front 47

PART

Back 47

To break, as of a line

Front 48

PASSAGEWAY

Back 48

Compartment designed for traffic, a “hallway.”

Front 49

PERFORMANCE TRACKER

Back 49

Recruit progress documentation slip.

Front 50

PORT

Back 50

The left side of a vessel when looking forward.

Front 51

QUARTERDECK

Back 51

An area designated by the Commanding Officer to serve for official and ceremonial functions.

Front 52

RACK

Back 52

A sailor’s bed.

Front 53

SCULLERY

Back 53

Compartment for washing and sterilizing eating utensils

Front 54

SCUTTLE BUTT

Back 54

(1) A drinking fountain. (2) A rumor.

Front 55

SECURE

Back 55

Lock up, finish up.

Front 56

STARBOARD

Back 56

The right side of a vessel when looking forward.

Front 57

STERN

Back 57

The back of the ship

Front 58

STRIKE

Back 58

Lower or bring down

Front 59

SWAB

Back 59

To mop. The mop itself

Front 60

TOPSIDE

Back 60

Upstairs

Front 61

TURN TO

Back 61

An order to begin work

Front 62

UNDERWAY

Back 62

When a vessel is not tied to a pier or at anchor.

Front 63

VOID

Back 63

An empty compartment below decks

Front 64

WATCH

Back 64

A period of duty, usually four hours.

Front 65

WAKE

Back 65

The track of disturbed water left behind a moving ship

Front 66

WINDWARD

Back 66

Side of the vessel wind is coming from`