When a harpooned whale would race off towing a dory full of seamen, they were said to be on a Nantucket sleigh ride, referring to the whaling port of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Term:
narrows (n)
Definition:
A restricted area of a waterway between two headlands.
See Also:
strait
Term:
nautical (adj)
Definition:
Relating to things of the sea. Having to do with ships, boats and sailing.
Term:
nautical almanac (n)
Definition:
A periodical publication containing current information necessary for ship navigation.
See Also:
ephemeris, mariner's almanac
Term:
nautical mile (n)
Definition:
The length of one minute of arc of a great circle on the surface of the earth. A distance measurement equal to 6076.1 feet or 1.151 statute miles, or 1.852 kilometres.
See Also:
knot
Term:
navaid (n)
Definition:
Any device that provides information for the navigator; an aid to navigation
Term:
naval (adj)
Definition:
Having to do with the navy or with boats and ships.
Term:
naval architect (n)
Definition:
A trained designer of boats and ships.
See Also:
designer, marine architect
Term:
naval stores (n)
Definition:
Pitch, turpentine, paint, resins and tars carried aboard wooden ships for maintenance tasks.
Term:
navigable (adj)
Definition:
Describing waters that are deep enough to sail safely, and that are free of obstructions and restrictions.
Term:
navigate (v)
Definition:
1) To safely operate a vessel employing the elements of position, course and speed. 2) To determine position, course and speed using instruments.
See Also:
position
Term:
navigating (v)
Definition:
Using the art and science of navigation to determine position and safely sail to a destination.
See Also:
navigation, piloting
Term:
navigation (n)
Definition:
1) The safe and seamanlike operation of a vessel on a planned passage. 2) The art and science of determining position and course in order to sail safely to a destination.
See Also:
piloting
Term:
navigational aid (n)
Definition:
Any chart, radar, sonar or other instrument or method employed to navigate a vessel.
See Also:
aid to navigation
Term:
navigational lights (n)
Definition:
The system of lights required to be displayed from a boat or ship at night.
See Also:
running lights
Term:
navigator (n)
Definition:
A crewman trained and qualified in the practice of determining position and setting courses for the safe and efficient operation of a vessel.
See Also:
pilot
Term:
navy (n)
Definition:
1) The seagoing military forces of a nation. 2) All of a nation’s force of warships.
Term:
navy anchor (n)
Definition:
A heavy ship’s anchor with large flukes and no stock so that the shank can be drawn through the hawshole. The enormous weight of these anchors make them inappropriate for a small vessel.
See Also:
anchor
(Click on image to enlarge.)
Term:
navy yard (n)
Definition:
Any shoreside installation where naval ships are built and repaired.
See Also:
dockyard
Term:
neap tide (n)
Definition:
The state of the tide when the range is less than normal, around the time of the quarter moons.
Term:
neck (n)
Definition:
A narrow waterway between two land masses or headlands or islands.
See Also:
strait, narrows
Term:
negative (n)
Definition:
No. A radio term used to clearly speak the word “no.”
Term:
net tonnage (n)
Definition:
A legal measurement to describe the cargo carrying capability of a ship, determined as a relationship with the gross tonnage less spaces that cannot be used to carry cargo, such as fuel tanks, engine compartments, crew quarters, galley and others.
See Also:
registered tonnage
Term:
noon sight (n)
Definition:
A sextant observation of the zenith passage of the sun to determine local noon. By referencing that time to tables in the ephemeris, the navigator can determine a line of longitude.
See Also:
local time
Term:
nor'easter (n)
Definition:
A heavy storm with winds predominantly out of the north east.
