A port free of customs duty and most customs regulations.

The rules concerning which vessel has the right of way if there is a possibility of collision between two or more boats; written to prevent accidents and collisions; includes right of way, lights, pennants, and whistle signals

1,728 cubic inches. A volume contained in a space measuring one foot high, one foot wide and one foot long.

Hundred weight (United States, 100 pounds: U.K.,112)

The point where the stem joins the forward end of the keel.

Metal or plastic pieces attached to a sail's luff that slide in a mast track to allow easy hoisting of the sail.

A language of "dots" and "dashes" used to send messages, either sound using radio waves, or light using a searchlight or Aldis lamp.

Stowing cargo destined for a specific location close together to avoid unnecessary cargo movement.

A draft to which no documents are attached.

A heavy longitudinal timber that angles upward from the stern to support the underside of the fantail.

A warehouse authorized by Customs to receive duty-free merchandise.

The position of an object that lies off to one side of the vessel.

A line leading forward from the end of a mainsail boom to prevent the boom from swinging inboard while broad reaching or running. also Preventer

GMT for short. Greenwich Meridian Time, also known as Universal Time or Zulu time. A time standard that is not affected by time zones or seasons. It is the time used by navigators in celestial navigation.

A familiar dish at sea before refrigeration was available. It was a stew of salt meat, broken biscuit, potatoes, onions and available spices.

A ship owned and armed by a private individual that is empowered by a government to fight with enemy ships and capture enemy shipping in time of war.

Seaman who was born aboard a warship. As this was once considered to be one of the essentials of the perfect seaman, it has long been a complimentary term.

Abbreviation for "Cubic Meter."

The act of the U.S. Congress (1916) that created the U.S. Shipping Board to develop water transportation, operate the merchant ships owned by the government, and regulate the water carriers engaged in commerce under the flag of the United States. As of Ju ...

Said of a vessel when she is entirely surrounded by ice.