Boating Terms for Operator Cards

Abaft is in the direction toward the stern.

Aft: going aft towards the stern.

Ahead : Ahead refers to a direction directly in front of a vessel.

Astern is in a direction or position pointing behind a vessel.

Beam: The beam is the width of a vessel at its widest point.

Bow: The bow is the forward part or front end of a vessel

Draft is the depth of water which a vessel requires to float freely.

Fenders: (see right) are devices that cushion the shocks and protect the side of a
pleasure craft.

Forward: we go forward towards the bow of our vessel (when one faces forward, they look towards the bow).

Freeboard: The vertical distance from the surface of the water to the gunwhale.

Gale Warning: sustained winds of 34 to 47 knots.

Gunwhale: The gunwale (pronounced "gunnel") is the top of the side of a vessel’s hull.

Hull: the body of a pleasure craft exclusive of masts, sails, rigging, machinery,
and equipment.

Light Winds: sustained winds less than 12 knots.

Moderate Winds: sustained winds of 13 to 19 knots.

Operator: means the person in effective charge and control of a pleasure craft.
The operator is ultimately responsible for the vessel, crew and passengers.

Pleasure craft: is a boat, ship, vessel or any other description of water craft that
is used exclusively for pleasure and does not carry passengers or goods for hire,
reward or any object of profit.

Port: The port side is the side of the vessel that is on one’s left side when facing forward. One way to remember this is facing forward spell out P.S. ( Port , Starboard)

Small Craft Warning: sustained winds of 20 to 33 knots.

Starboard: The starboard side is the side of the vessel that is on one’s right when facing forward.

Stern: The stern is the back (aft) end of a vessel..

Storm Warning: sustained winds of 48 - 63 knots.

Strong Winds: sustained winds of 20 - 33 knots (this is when small
craft warnings are issued).

Transom: the stern cross-section of a square-sterned boat.

Underway: when a vessel is making way through the water and is free to move (ie: not moored, anchored, or aground).

Wake: smooth track left by the passage of a vessel.

Wash : is the loose or broken water left behind by a boat as it moves along and includes the churned water thrown aft by the propeller .