Sailor's songs sung in the forecastle when the men of a watch were off duty. These were sung for entertainment, thus they were not shanties.

A display of national colors at all mastheads and the array of signal flags from bow to stern over the masthead (for special occasions and holidays).

The process of assimilating many small shipments into one large shipment at a central point so that economies of scale may be achieved; to commence discharge of cargo.

Sailor's name for a block of sandstone used for scrubbing the wooden decks of a ship; seamen had to get down on their knees to use them. Large holystones were known as "Bibles", while smaller blocks to reach awkward places were known as "Prayer Books" ...

When a ship's head or stern pitches suddenly and violently into the trough of the sea.

A non-commissioned naval rank. Midshipmen play a part, under supervision, in most of the ship's activities, and are in training for higher command.

An extra or additional charge.

Iron or steel straps fastened diagonally across a ship's frames to make a rigid framework.

A method of moving a boat with oars. The person rowing the boat faces backwards, bringing the blade of the oars out of the water and toward the bow of the boat. They then pull the oars through the water toward the stern of the boat, moving the boat forwar ...

See insurance.

Here are a few old superstitions of seamen: (1) When a ship was launched or about to sail on a long voyage, a libation was offered to the gods of the sea by pouring wine upon the deck so that good fortune would accompany the ship. (2) Flowers carried on b ...

Course Over Ground

The difference in depth between high and low tide.

In the direction the wind is blowing. A boat sailing downwind, away from the wind source with the sails let out all the way, is running with the wind.

Cubic feet per minute (cfm) of air required at the inlet to the distribution system.

Abbreviation for Export-Import Bank of the United States. An independent U.S. Government Agency which facilitates exports of U.S. goods by providing loan guarantees and insurance for repayment of bank-provided export credit.

Container freight station or a designated area where empty containers can be picked up or dropped off.

(1) The action of a line as it passes over the sheave of a block. (2) The act of easing away gently.

To change the course of a sailing vessel.

The way a boats spars and sails are arranged. To rig a vessel is to fit her with masts, spars, sails and running and standing rigging; term is also used to mean the setting up a device, e.g., to rig a lifeline, a tackle, etc