A sudden and violent gust of wind.

A set of radio, sound, and visual signals designed to aid in communications between vessels without language problems. It can be used with Morse Code, with signal pennants, and by spoken code letters.

On a wooden vessel, the outermost deck plank covering the gunwale. also called Covering Board

A metal fitting with an arm that uses a spring to close automatically when connected to another object.

The point (speed of sound) at which air flow through an orifice can not increase regardless of pressure drop.

On a square-rigged ship, a light weather sail set next above the royal in fair weather.

The imaginary line running from bow to stern along the middle of the boat.

Railcars grouped in a train by destination so that segments (blocks) can be uncoupled and routed to different destinations as the train moves through various junctions. Eliminates the need to break up a train and sort individual railcars at each junction.

Placing a container where required to be loaded or unloaded.

The North Star; visible in the northern hemisphere and indicates the direction of north. In the southern hemisphere the Southern Cross is used to find the direction of south.

In sailboat racing, a tactical maneuver to lock in a competitor by tacking on them in close proximity so they can not tack from under your boat and they start to lose speed due to your sails blocking their sails.

Specially designed for the transport of chemicals.

A long sturdy pole fitted with a blunt hook at one end designed to catch a line when coming alongside a pier or mooring, to facilitate putting a line over a piling, recovering an object dropped overboard, or in pushing or fending off.

Small struts or spars extending toward the sides from one or more places along the mast. The shrouds cross the end of the spreaders, enabling the shrouds to better support the mast. Also known as crosstrees in older vessels.

A type of journal bearing in centrifugal air compressors.

A combination of one or more blocks and the associated tackle necessary to give a mechanical advantage. Useful for lifting heavy loads.

The operation of secretly bringing goods into a country to avoid paying duty on the goods. Also applies to illicit goods.

In maritime warfare, a declaration published by a power forbidding sea-borne trade with an enemy.

Once the only method, other than human voice, of passing orders to men on board ship; the instructions to perform certain tasks were conveyed by different notes and pitches on the high-pitched whistle.

Froth of sea foam.