The Dictionary of English Nautical Language Database: Search Results
Your search returned 146 matches.
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Term:
dragonfly (n)
Definition:
A class of small racing sailboats, or an individual sailboat of that class.
Term:
draw (v)
Definition:
To require, referring to the depth of water necessary to operate the ship without grounding; as in: “How much does your boat draw?” 2) Referring to sails, to fill with wind and begin propelling a sailboat.
See Also:
draft
Term:
dredge (n)
Definition:
1) A ship or barge that specialises in deepening channels by digging up and moving the bottom. 2) The machinery which digs up the bottom, such as a bucket, endless chain, or suction hose. 3) A heavy frame with a net attached which is dragged over the bottom to catch ground fish.
See Also:
hopper dredge, Great Lakes dredge.
Term:
dredge (v)
Definition:
1) To dig up the bottom in order to deepen the channel. 2) To fish using a dredge.
Term:
dredging buoy (n)
Definition:
A floating aid to navigation indicating the boundary of an area that is being dredged.
See Also:
buoy
Term:
dress ship (v)
Definition:
To fly all the flags of the ship in port to celebrate a special event. Typically, the jack is flown forward, national flag aft or at the masthead, and signal flags from a halyard stretched bow to stern over the mastheads.
See Also:
jack, bunting, signal flags
(Click on image to enlarge.)
Term:
drift (n)
Definition:
1) The speed and flow of a moving mass of water or current. 2) A vessel’s lateral movement caused by ocean currents, one of the variables employed to calculate a reliable course over the bottom. 3) A spike used to align rivet holes.
See Also:
set
Term:
drift (v)
Definition:
To float without direction on the surface of the water. To move with the wind and current, rather than with power, oar or sail.
Term:
drilling rig (n)
Definition:
A barge or other drilling platform that can be moved to another location.
Term:
driver (n)
Definition:
A jib-headed spanker.
See Also:
spanker
Term:
drogue (n)
Definition:
A sea anchor. A sturdy canvas chute deployed over the bow to create drag and give a vessel better directional stability in very heavy seas.
See Also:
sea anchor
Term:
drop keel (n)
Definition:
A keel that can be pivoted up into a well for sailing in shallow waters.
See Also:
centerboard
Term:
dry (adj)
Definition:
Describing a vessel that moves through the water easily without creating a great deal of spray.
Term:
dry dock (n)
Definition:
An enclosed slip which can be pumped dry in order to do construction, cleaning or repairs on the bottom of a ship.
See Also:
cofferdam, graving dock.
Term:
dubbin (n)
Definition:
A dressing for leather made from oil and tallow, used on fixed chafing gear, such as at the gaff jaws.
Term:
duckboat (n)
Definition:
1) A very small boat used by duck hunters, having a low profile so that just the head and shoulders of the hunter protrude above the deck, and which is usually propelled by paddles. 2) A class of very small racing sailboats.
Term:
dugout (n)
Definition:
A canoe made by hollowing out a log, typical of native boats found around the world.
Term:
dunnage (n)
Definition:
Scrap materials used to pad the cargo in the hold of a ship or in a container.
Term:
Dutchman (n)
Definition:
A part installed to hide or strengthen a structural defect. A quick repair done by covering or bracing the broken part, rather than replacing it. A faulty or incompetent repair.
Term:
dye marker (n)
Definition:
A bright irridescent coloring agent in an oil mixture that is poured into the water to reveal the location of a lifeboat to passing search aircraft.
See Also:
distress signal
Term:
ventilator (n)
Definition:
An air intake on deck, often horn shaped, which brings fresh air below for ventilation to quarters or engine areas.
