Basic Nautical Terms: Intermediate Level

 Discover the thrilling world of navigation with our new blog article!

 In this edition, we delve into the intermediate level of nautical concepts and terminology, taking a step forward in our knowledge and understanding of maritime terminology.

 Here, we dive into a wide range of more detailed and specific concepts, ranging from nautical maneuvers to navigation systems. With these intermediate terms, you'll be able to expand your nautical skills and knowledge, allowing you to navigate with greater confidence and proficiency.

 From the basics of motor and sail navigation to more advanced concepts, our article will provide you with a clear and concise understanding of the nautical terms you'll encounter in your maritime adventures. Want to know what the International Code of Signals means or how to interpret wind direction? Look no further.

 In addition to definitions, we'll also provide you with useful information on the use and application of these terms in practical situations. Whether you're an experienced sailing enthusiast or just beginning your journey in the world of navigation, this article is perfect for expanding your knowledge and enhancing your nautical abilities.

 Get ready to dive into a fascinating ocean of nautical knowledge. Don't miss our upcoming blog article and unlock the doors to a more informed and exciting navigation experience!

 - A:  ALPHA: Flag "A" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: I have a diver down. Keep well clear at slow speed.

 - AIR:  Mixture of various gases, in the absence of dust and water vapor, whose proportions remain constant up to an approximate height of 20 km.

 - ALIGNMENT:  Line of position determined by two objects that are seen aligned vertically. An alignment is a true bearing.

 - ALL-ROUND LIGHT:  Uninterrupted light visible in a 360-degree horizon arc.

 - ALPHA:  Word "Alpha" in Radiocommunications. When the ALFA flag ("A") is displayed on a stationary boat, it means: I have a diver down. Keep well clear at slow speed.

 - APPARENT:  Apparent wind, resulting from the combination or subtraction of the true wind and the wind caused by the boat's speed.

 - APPARENT WIND:  Onboard wind. The resultant wind from the sum or subtraction of the true wind and the wind generated by the speed of the sailing vessel. It is the wind that interests the sailor and based on which the sails should be oriented.

 - APPROACHING:  A boat is adrift when its draft forward is greater than its draft aft. It can also mean that the boat is pointing into the wind.

 - ARCHIPELAGO:  Group of islands, usually numerous, grouped over a more or less extensive area of the sea.

 - ATOLL:  Coral island in the shape of a ring with a lagoon in the center.

 - AUTONOMY:  Distance a boat can travel without refueling.

 - AUXILIARY:  Small inflatable dinghy with oars and an outboard motor used for landing when the sailboat is anchored. During navigation, it is hoisted on board, placed in front of the sheet car or at the bow of the mast.

 - B:  BRAVO: Flag "B" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I am loading, unloading, or carrying dangerous goods."

 - BACKSTAY:  Cable that connects the mast to the stern of the boat, whose function is to secure it and control its inclination.

 - BATTEN:  Tiller rope: A rope used to secure the tiller.

 - BEARING:  Angle formed between the line of sight to an object and north (Meridian of the place).

 - BEARING:  Angle formed by the centerline of the vessel (bow-stern) and an imaginary sightline directed to an external point of reference on the vessel.

 - BITT:  Bollard: Each of the wooden or iron posts securely fastened to the deck near the bow, used for turning ropes when anchoring.

 - BOARD:  Collision of one boat with another, deliberate or accidental.

 - BOARD:  Distance covered by a boat without changing the orientation of the sails and sailing on the same heading.

 - BOOM:  Topping lift: Metal or wooden piece attached to the bottom of the mast and arranged perpendicular to it, used to tension the foot of the sail.

 - BOWLINE KNOT:  Knot formed by two turns of rope, crossed in such a way that the ends are on opposite sides.

 - BRAVO:  Word "Bravo" in Radiocommunications.

 - BREAKWATER:  Stone dike constructed to protect an area from the sea or currents.

 - BREEZE:  Sea breeze: Gentle wind that blows from the sea during the day and from the land at night.

 - BRIDGE:  The place from which the ship is directed and controlled.

 - C:  CHARLIE: Flag "C" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: Affirmation "YES," or "The meaning of the groups should be interpreted in an affirmative sense." In Spanish legislation, Ministerial Order FOM /1144/2003 of April 28 establishes that it is mandatory to carry the C and N flags on board all recreational boats.

 - CABIN:  Crew quarters: Interior space of a boat intended for the use of the crew.

 - CABINS:  Berths: Interior compartments of a boat intended as sleeping quarters.

 - CALM:  Lack of wind, calmness, and tranquility of the sea. Dead calm: Absolute tranquility of the wind and the sea. From a meteorological point of view, it is recorded winds less than 2 knots or the absence of any noticeable air movement.

 - CARABINER:  Steel or aluminum alloy ring-shaped tool with a pin or hinge that opens and closes using a spring.

 - CAVITATION:  Cavitation: Phenomenon of forming a void in the water, in the active part of the propeller, resulting in a loss of thrust and strong vibrations.

 - CERTIFICATE OF SEAWORTHINESS:  Document that certifies that a particular vessel meets the regulatory requirements and provides evidence of inspections carried out, its class, and the date of upcoming inspections.

 - CHANNEL:  Narrow maritime strait, natural or artificial. Narrow passage where the current flows.

 - CHARLIE:  Word "Charlie" in Radiocommunications.

 - CLAW:  End or point of each arm of an anchor, fluke, or grapnel. The flat or upper face is called the palm, and its tip is called the bill.

 - CLEAT:  Bowline knot, widely used in boating to tie sheets and braces. It holds great pressure without jamming, meaning it can be easily untied afterward.

 - CLIFF:  Vertical cliff that drops into the sea.

 - CLOSE-HAULED:  Expression exclusively related to sailing. A boat sails "close-hauled" when its course forms the smallest possible angle with the wind. We can easily check if we are at the maximum close-hauled angle. Simply by heading up a bit more, the sails will start to luff. The maximum close-hauled angle depends on the design of each sailboat but is unlikely to be less than 30°.

 - COAST:  Coastal region of dry land bordering the sea or, by extension, a body of water. Coastline.

 - COLLECT:  To pull or haul in a line or chain towards oneself. Occasionally, the terms "haul" and "winch" are also used when mechanical means such as a windlass or winch are employed.

 - COMPASS:  Compass: Instrument for determining any direction on the Earth's surface using a magnetized needle that always points to the north and south magnetic poles. It indicates the heading of the ship by marking it on the compass rose.

 - COMPASS:  Instrument consisting of two articulated arms used to draw regular curves and measure distances.

 - CORROSION:  Slow erosion of an object due to the chemical action of seawater.

 - COUNTERCLOCKWISE:  Left-handed propeller, which, when in forward motion and viewed from astern, rotates counterclockwise. In a boat with a left-handed propeller in forward gear, the bow moves to port, and in reverse gear, the stern moves to starboard.

 - COURSE:  Path or course followed by a boat on the surface of the sea. It can be a rhumb line or a great circle.

 - COVE:  Small cove. Lowest part of the interior of a ship.

 - COVE:  Inlet of the sea into the land that forms a cove and provides shelter for boats. When it is small, it is called an "ancón," and in ancient times, "angra." Cove.

 - CRANE:  Apparatus used for hoisting and lowering loads, weights, and even boats.

 - CROSS:  Sailing across the waves, receiving them on the beam.

 - D:  DELTA: Flag "D" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "Keep clear of me, I am maneuvering with difficulty."

 - DELTA:  Word "Delta" in Radiocommunications.

 - DEPTH SOUNDER:  Instrument used to determine the depth of the area in which you are navigating. It can be adjusted so that the depth measurement can be calculated from the deepest part of the keel or from the waterline. Before sailing in a sailboat, it is advisable to know this information.

 - DINGHY:  Very small rowing boat, mainly used for landing.

 - DISPLACEMENT:  It is the weight of water displaced by a floating boat. This weight is equal to the total weight of the boat and is expressed in tons.

 - DOCK:  Artificial wall built to contain the force of water or waves.

 - DOUGLAS:  The Douglas Scale is a scale that classifies the different states of the sea into 10 degrees, based on the size of the waves.

 - DRIFT ANCHOR:  Small anchor consisting of a single piece with 4 arms ending in flukes that is only secure on rocky bottoms.

 - DRY DOCK:  Dry dock, or shipyard, is the name for port facilities designed to lift vessels out of the water for repairs.

 - E:  ECHO: Flag "E" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I am going astern."

 - ECHO:  Word "Echo" in Radiocommunications.

 - EMBARKATION:  Action and effect of boarding a vessel.

 - ENDURE:  Keeping a running line taut.

 - ENTRANCE:  Narrow passage of the sea serving as an entrance to a port or anchorage.

 - ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE:  Estimated Time of Departure.

 - EYE BOLT:  Metal piece that has a ring, hook, or loop on one side and a screw thread on the other to fasten it in the desired place on the boat. Once installed, it is used to secure ropes, pulleys, etc.

 - F:  FOXTROT: Flag "F" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I am disabled, communicate with me."

 - FALL:  To steer the bow in a specific direction.

 - FALL OVERBOARD:  To fall into the sea from a boat.

 - FATHOMS:  Adequate length of anchor rode for safe anchoring. Let out chain plus rope 3-4 times the depth of the water, and in rough weather, it is recommended to let out 5/6 times. To have control over how much chain to let out, it is advisable to mark it at least every five or ten meters.

 - FETCH:  Length of a maritime zone where the wind blows without significant changes in direction and without encountering obstacles. The greater the fetch, the greater the development of waves.

 - FLUTTER:  To flutter a sail. It occurs when the sail is not properly oriented to the wind.

 - FLUTTERING:  Wavelike motion of a sail within the wind, particularly of the luff that flutters like a flag.

 - FOG:  Cloud with characteristics similar to stratus clouds that is in contact with the Earth's surface. Formed by numerous microscopic water droplets, fog appears whitish or light gray and hinders visibility, even at short distances when dense. Visibility is reduced to less than 1 km (0.5 nautical miles).

 - FOOT:  It is a unit of length of natural origin (based on the human foot). Formerly used worldwide, it is currently only in use in Anglo-Saxon countries. 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters. 3 feet = 1 yard = 0.9144 meters.

 - FORESTAY:  Cable that connects the mast to the bow of the boat, whose purpose is to prevent the mast from moving aft.

 - FOXTROT:  Word "Foxtrot" in Radiocommunications.

 - FREEBOARD:  It is the height of the boat (vertical distance) measured between the deck line and the waterline.

 - FROST:  Layer of crystalline ice that forms on surfaces that have cooled enough to freeze the dew deposited on them or the water vapor contained in the air that deposits on exposed surfaces.

 - FURLER:  Mechanism that allows us to reduce the surface area of a sail by furling it upon itself. It is also the name given to the line that activates the sail furler, which is pulled in to furl and released to unfurl the sail.

 - G:  GOLF: Flag "G" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I require a pilot." When used by fishing vessels working in proximity on fishing banks, it means: "I am hauling nets."

 - GANGWAY:  Metal or wooden, flat and elongated piece that allows embarkation from a dock.

 - GENOA:  Triangular headsail large enough to overlap the mainsail. It is equivalent to a jib but larger in size. Compared to a jib, it has a lower clew, a longer foot, and a larger surface area.

 - GENOA FURLER:  Furler that allows us to furl or unfurl the headsail. The sail is folded by winding it around its luff. (Roller furling genoa). The furler is operated by pulling or easing a line known as the headsail furler.

 - GPS:  Global Positioning System (GPS): Satellite-based electronic positioning system.

 - GREENWICH MERIDIAN:  The Prime Meridian, also known as the Greenwich Meridian, is the imaginary semicircle that connects the poles and passes through Greenwich, specifically through the former Greenwich Observatory in this London suburb. The Prime Meridian serves as the reference meridian: it is the starting point for measuring longitudes in degrees, corresponding to longitude zero, which is why it is also called the zero meridian and first meridian.

 - GULF:  Word "Golf" in Radiocommunications.

 - H:  HOTEL: Flag "H" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "Pilot on board."

 - HALF-BREADTH PLAN:  The plane that divides the ship from bow to stern into two symmetrical halves.

 - HALYARD:  Halyard or line that secures the sail by its luff and is used to hoist or raise the sail.

 - HALYARD KNOT:  Top point of triangular sails where they are hoisted.

 - HATCH:  Opening made in the deck of a boat to ventilate its interior or allow passage for people or objects.

 - HAUL OUT:  To clean the hull (the bottoms) of a boat.

 - HEEL:  Lateral inclination that a ship takes due to the force of the wind, the listing of the cargo, or another cause.

 - HELIOGRAPH:  Also known as a signal mirror. It is a circular mirror used to produce flashes by focusing sunlight on them. It is part of the mandatory safety equipment in any navigation area.

 - HELMSMAN:  Person who steers the boat using the helm.

 - HOIST A FLAG:  Registering or flagging a vessel under the flag of a state.

 - HOTEL:  Word "Hotel" in Radiocommunications.

 - HULL:  Submerged part of the boat. Also known as the "hull."

 - HULL SPEED:  The theoretical speed of a boat's hull without planing and is determined by its shape.

 - HYPOTHERMIA:  Decrease in body temperature below 35°C, usually due to exposure to cold or a decrease in tissue metabolism.

 - I:  INDIA: Flag "I" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I am going to port."

 - INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA (COLREGS):  RIPA. International regulation aimed at the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

 - ISLAND:  Landmass smaller than a continent surrounded by water on all sides.

 - J:  JULIETT: Flag "J" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I have a fire and I am carrying dangerous goods, keep well clear of me."

 - JIB:  Triangular sail set between the main mast and the forestay.

 - K:  KILO: Flag "K" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I wish to communicate."

 - KEEL:  In general, the lower part of the ship that extends from bow to stern and on which its entire structure rests. In cruising sailboats, it refers to a metallic appendage, usually made of lead, located below the waterline, which counteracts the heeling effect when sailing.

 - KNOTS:  Peaks or corners of a sail. They are the tack, sheet, halyard, and clew.

 - L:  LIMA: Flag "L" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "Stop your vessel immediately."

 - LAND BREEZE:  Very light thermal wind that blows from the land toward the sea. It occurs due to the temperature difference between the air over the sea and the mass of air in contact with the cooling land after sunset. The wind opposite to the land breeze is the sea breeze.

 - LASCAR:  To let go, loosen, or lower a line, rope, or chain as required.

 - LATITUDE:  Latitude indicates the location of an area on Earth situated north or south of the equator. On maps, lines of latitude are represented by horizontal lines. It is the angle between the parallel of a location and the equator, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Latitude can be North (in the northern hemisphere) or South (in the southern hemisphere).

 - LAUNCH:  Launch: To put a boat in the water by sliding it down the slipway after construction or maintenance.

 - LEVANTER:  Levanter wind.

 - LIFEBUOY:  Lifebuoy, a safety device for navigation. They are highly resistant floats, usually round and with highly visible colors and reflective bands. They are kept on deck, ready to be thrown into the water in case of man overboard.

 - LIFELINE:  Cable that runs from bow to stern on both sides and is supported by stanchions for the safety of the crew.

 - LIGHTHOUSE:  Tower near the coast equipped with a powerful, high-reaching lamp that serves as a guide for boats. The lamp emits rotating beams of light in 360 degrees, with different frequencies and ranges for each lighthouse.

 - HEEL OVER:  To tilt and capsize a boat, due to the force of the wind or shifting of cargo or flooding, until it overturns and, with water entering, it becomes almost level with the water's surface or sinks.

 - LOADED DOWN:  Boats moored together side by side.

 - LONGITUDE:  Angle formed between the meridian of a place and the Greenwich meridian, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. It can be East or West.

 - LOWER:  To slacken and let run a line, rope, or chain. To lower a sail. To release or let go.

 - LUFF:  A boat is said to "close reach" when its course forms the smallest angle possible with the direction of the wind.

 - LURCH:  Heavy blow on the side against the sea, caused by waves and/or sudden heel.

 - LYING A-HULL:  Hove-to: A technique for riding out a storm that provides safety by preventing the boat from being hit heavily by breaking waves, reducing the risk of capsizing.

 - M:  MIKE - Flag "M" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "My vessel is stopped and making no way."

 - MAGNETIC COURSE:  It is the angle formed by the bow-stern line of our boat and magnetic north (Mn). Abbreviated as "MnR."

 - MAGNETIC HEADING:  It is the angle formed by the bow-stern line and the magnetic north (Mn). Abbreviated as "MnR."

 - MAIN SAIL:  Tallest, main, and central mast. Term given to the largest sail hoisted on the main or principal mast.

 - MAIN SAIL:  The name given to the largest sail hoisted on the main or principal mast.

 - MANEUVER:  Set of practical rules that enable the mastery of steering, sail, or propeller to give ships the required positions and movements. The ship's motion in the water. Generic term for a set of ropes and/or rigging.

 - MARITIME RESCUE:  It is the organization in Spain responsible for all emergencies that may arise at sea: rescues, searches, medical evacuations, towing, pollution control, dissemination of navigation warnings, enhancement of maritime traffic safety, and, in general, the reception and immediate response to distress calls from the sea, which can be made using: VHF Channel 16, the frequency 2.182 kHz on medium wave (MF), or calling the phone number 900 202 202.

 - MAST ARRANGEMENT:  Rough sea or heavy swell.

 - MASTHEAD LIGHT:  White light at the stern covering a visible horizon arc of 135 degrees from 67.5 degrees aft of the beam.

 - MAYDAY:  International distress signal in radiocommunications, to be repeated three times, and takes priority over all other communications. By uttering this word, we are requesting immediate assistance due to being threatened by serious and imminent danger.

 - MEAN DRAFT:  It is the semi-sum of the drafts forward and aft.

 - MIST:  Suspension in the atmosphere of microscopic water droplets that reduce visibility on the surface.

 - MMSI:  Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI): Identification number for the maritime mobile service. It is a unique 9-digit number that identifies each ship station for safety and telecommunications purposes. It must be programmed into the automatic radio communication equipment and satellite emergency beacons of each vessel.

 - MODERATE SEA:  Description of sea state produced by wind, indicated as number 3 on the Douglas scale, with waves ranging from 0.5 to 1.25 meters.

 - MOORED TO PORT:  Sailing close-hauled, receiving the wind on the port side.

 - MOORED TO STARBOARD:  Sailing on a broad reach, receiving the wind on the starboard side (right-hand side in the direction of travel).

 - MOORING:  Berthing a boat alongside another boat or a dock, making contact with its side. Also referred to as "amadrinar" in some places.

 - MOORING LINE:  Mooring lines that keep the boat secure. These include bow lines, spring lines, stern lines, and breast lines.

 - MOORING LINE:  Thick rope used for mooring or towing.

 - MOORING POINT:  A place where a boat is moored, attaching it to the bottom or to land.

 - MULTIHULL:  Vessel formed by multiple hulls joined together. Catamaran: 2 hulls. Trimaran: 3 hulls.

 - N:  NOVEMBER - Flag "N" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "No" (negation) or "The meaning of the previous group should be interpreted in a negative sense." This signal should only be made visually or acoustically. The signal is "NO."

 - NAUTICAL CHART:  Graphic representation of a body of water and the coastline, indicating all relevant navigational data. Equivalent to a terrestrial map.

 - NAVIGATION LIGHTS:  Green and red lights used by vessels in navigation, with green indicating the starboard side and red indicating the port side.

 - NAVIGATIONAL COMPASS:  It is the name given to the instrument used to determine directions and bearing on board a boat. It is a navigation instrument that provides a reference direction (relative to magnetic north) in the horizontal plane and allows the measurement of horizontal angles relative to this direction. Compasses are graduated from 0° (North) to 359° clockwise.

 - NEEDLE:  Compass needle, a magnetized piece of the compass or bearing.

 - O:  OSCAR - Flag "O" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: Man overboard.

 - OFFING:  The simplest knot, which is essentially a loop formed by passing the working end of a line around the standing part and through the bight.

 - OPEN:  Cast off or separate the boat from a dock. To take the wind at a greater angle.

 - P:  PAPA - Flag "P" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "All personnel must return on board as the ship is about to get underway."

 - PAINTER:  Thin rope attached at one end to any object.

 - PANTOQUE:  The curved area where the side and bottom of the hull of a vessel join.

 - PANTRY:  Place where food supplies are stored.

 - PASSAGE:  Navigable area of a waterway.

 - PENNANT:  Small triangular flag with various meanings depending on its colors.

 - PILOT BOOK:  Nautical publication containing instructions, data, and information of interest to the navigator for a specific area.

 - PIN:  Tip or end of the yards or a spar.

 - PLUNGE:  Describes the sea when it is agitated, and the wind has started to generate waves.

 - POSITION FIX:  Right of way rule. When two mechanically propelled vessels are approaching each other on opposite or nearly opposite courses, with risk of collision, each of them shall bear to starboard. When a vessel is in doubt as to whether such a situation exists, it shall assume that it does.

 - PULL:  To pull on a line, rope, cable, or any object towards oneself.

 - PULLEY:  It is a wheel made of wood, plastic, or metal with a grooved perimeter through which ropes are worked.

 - Q:  QUEBEC - Flag "Q" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "My vessel is 'healthy' and requests free pratique."

 - R:  ROMEO - Flag "R" of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "Received" or "I have received your last signal."

 - RADAR REFLECTOR:  Device that effectively reflects the radar signal in a passive manner. By carrying one on board (placed as high as possible), we can ensure that our boat will be detected by other radar systems.

 - RANGE (VESSEL):  Right-of-way rule. A boat that is overtaking, coming from a bearing greater than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam of another boat, should keep clear of the course of the overtaken boat. In case of doubt, act as if an overtaking situation is occurring. The maneuver continues until the overtaken boat is well clear.

 - RECREATIONAL BOATING SKIPPER:  Spanish certification authorizing the operation of motor pleasure craft up to 15 meters in length and the right to navigate within the zone between the coast and a parallel line drawn at 12 miles.

 - REEF:  Bank or shoal formed by rocks in the sea.

 - RESTRICTED MANEUVERABILITY:  Vessel with limited maneuverability.

 - RIA:  The penetration of the sea into the basin of a river.

 - RIGGING:  Rigging all the rigging elements, making the boat ready to sail.

 - RIGHT-OF-WAY RULES FOR SAILBOATS:  In the event of a risk of collision between two sailboats, the vessel that: I) When each of them has the wind on opposite sides, the one with the wind on the port side shall keep clear of the other; II) When both have the wind on the same side, the windward boat shall keep clear of the leeward boat; III) If a sailboat with the wind on the port side sights another sailboat to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other sailboat has the wind on the port or starboard side, it shall keep clear of the other's path.

 - ROLLER FURLING MAINSAIL:  Larger sail that can be housed inside the mast or boom through a furling mechanism. The in-mast furling mainsail is very easy to handle. To deploy it, you simply need to release the furling line and haul the halyard until the sail is fully deployed. To furl it, release the halyard and haul the furling line. Due to its simplicity of use, it is the most commonly used type of mainsail on charter boats.

 - ROUTE:  Course or path to follow.

 - RUDDER:  Blade placed aft of the boat, whose movements allow us to steer it.

 - RUN:  The moment during a tack when the sails change sides, with the boom passing over the boat's longitudinal axis.

 - RUN AGROUND:  To run aground. When a boat's keel touches the bottom, losing control and becoming immobilized.

 - RUNNING:  The action and effect of wearing ship. It consists of turning the stern into the wind, changing the sail to the other side to change the tack and change the side from which the wind is received.

 - S:  SIERRA - "S" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I am going astern." This signal, made to guide smaller vessels carrying people or crew in distress, means "Extremely dangerous to land here."

 - SAFETY HARNESS:  Personal safety equipment consisting of a set of straps (belt and suspenders) that allow us to secure ourselves, using a safety line, to fixed points on the boat's deck or a lifeline, preventing a possible fall into the sea.

 - SAILBOAT:  A vessel that uses the wind as its primary means of propulsion.

 - SAILS:  Set of sails on a vessel.

 - SCRAPE:  To wear down an object due to friction.

 - SECURE:  To tie or secure something firmly.

 - SECURE:  To secure a line by using knots or turns in such a way that it remains fastened and does not move.

 - SECURE:  Action of securing or fastening something firmly.

 - SET SAIL:  To set sail. Weigh anchor.

 - SHALLOW:  Describes something shallow or having little depth.

 - SHALLOW WATERS:  Shallow waters that pose a danger to navigation.

 - SHEET:  Line used to adjust the angle of the sail relative to the wind. The mainsail sheet is typically attached to the boom using a system of pulleys. The headsail or jib sheet is directly attached to the clew of the sail.

 - SHEET BEND:  Also known as clew. Lower corner of a sail where the sheet is secured. It is the junction of the leech and foot. In a spinnaker, both lower corners are clews.

 - SHEET IN:  To coil or haul in a line; sheet, halyard, anchor line, etc.

 - SHINGLE:  Seabed composed of very fine gravel mixed with sand.

 - SHIP:  It refers to a type of boat limited by its length. It applies to recreational, military, merchant, and large vessels with a minimum length of 24 meters.

 - SHIPWRECK:  Loss or ruin of a ship at sea or in navigable rivers or lakes. Shipwrecked vessel whose position poses a danger to navigators.

 - SHIPWRECKED:  One who has experienced a shipwreck. Man overboard.

 - SHROUD:  Berth days of a boat and the amount to be paid for that stay.

 - SIDE LIGHTS:  Green light on starboard and red light on port that covers a visible horizon arc of 112.5 degrees from the bow to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam. On boats shorter than 20 meters, the sidelights may be combined into a single light.

 - SKIPPER:  Person in charge of the ship, with the necessary qualifications to take command.

 - SLACKEN:  To tension a rope or cable until the slack disappears, and sometimes forcing this tension even more.

 - SLIGHT SEA:  Description of sea state produced by wind, indicated as number 2 on the Douglas scale, with waves ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 meters.

 - SPRING LINE:  They are crossed lines that, starting from the bow, work toward the stern or starting from the stern, work toward the bow. They function similar to a spring, hence their name. Their mission is to prevent longitudinal movements of the boat when it is moored.

 - STAY:  Steel cable that secures the mast in the bow-stern direction.

 - STERN LIGHT:  Heliograph: Circular mirror used to produce flashes by focusing sunlight on them.

 - STERN LIGHT:  White light on the mast covering a visible horizon arc of 225 degrees from the bow to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam.

 - STERNPOST:  Vertical or slightly sloping part at the stern where the boat ends and joins the aft end of the keel.

 - STOPPER:  Also known as a stopper. A mechanism commonly found on a sailboat that allows blocking and unblocking of a rope with the simple movement of one of its parts. Almost all working ropes have their corresponding stopper.

 - STORE:  Any compartment on board the ship used for storing things.

 - STORM:  Sea state with strong winds and large waves. Storm. Navigation is not recommended under these conditions. It is considered a storm from force 8 on the Beaufort scale.

 - SWELL:  Swell that propagates outside the area where it was generated, reaching distant places. Also known as groundswell or long-period swell. Swell waves are characterized by their regularity and smooth crests.

 - SWELL:  The movement that the waves of the sea make on the shore as they retreat.

 - T:  TANGO - "T" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "Keep clear of me. I am engaged in pair trawling."

 - TACK:  Tacking: Path followed by a boat while close-hauled, as long as it doesn't change tack, i.e., until it "tacks."

 - TACK:  Bottom forward point of triangular sails / The forward end of a sail, at the junction of the luff and foot.

 - TACK:  The action of changing a boat's direction until its stern passes through the direction of the wind. Jibing.

 - TACK:  Situation in which two vessels are navigating on opposite or nearly opposite courses, with risk of collision.

 - TAFFRAIL:  COLREGS. Acronym for the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

 - THUNDER:  To hear thunder.

 - TIE:  To join, connect, or fasten with ligatures or knots.

 - TILLER:  The tiller is a lever attached to the rudder stock used to steer the boat by pushing or pulling it to maneuver in different directions. By moving the tiller to port, the boat will turn to starboard, and by moving it to starboard, the boat will turn to port.

 - TON:  Unit of weight or capacity used to express the displacement, deadweight, tonnage, and carrying capacity of ships. Equals 1,000 kilograms.

 - TOW:  To pull a boat off another or off any floating object.

 - TRANSOM:  Curved area of the stern of the vessel.

 - TRUE COURSE:  It is the angle formed by the bow-stern line of our boat and true north (Tn). Abbreviated as "TnR."

 - TRUE WIND:  The existing wind at a specific moment, considering that the observer is stationary.

 - TUGBOAT:  It is a vessel equipped with powerful engines used for towing or pushing other boats, both in inland waters and in open sea.

 - U:  UNIFORM - "U" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "You are running into danger."

 - V:  VICTOR - "V" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I require assistance."

 - VESSEL:  It is a type of boat limited by its length. It refers to recreational boats, small fishing vessels, and small boats with a maximum length of 24 meters.

 - VHF RADIO:  Very high-frequency radio for transmitting over relatively short distances.

 - VISIBILITY:  The greater or lesser horizontal distance at which an observer, under atmospheric conditions, can clearly recognize objects on the horizon. Visibility is affected by meteorological phenomena.

 - W:  WHISKEY - "W" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I require medical assistance."

 - WATCH:  Navigation watchkeeping service usually performed every four hours. The group of people who provide it during a shift. The duration of the watchkeeping service.

 - WATERLINE PLAN:  The plane that divides the underwater part of the hull from the above-water part.

 - WAVES:  Continuous succession of waves.

 - WEATHER A STORM:  Heaving-to: Setting the sails aback, receiving the wind on a broad reach with the jib, the mainsail open, and the helm to windward, in order to withstand both the sea and the wind without making progress, only subject to drift. It is necessary to achieve a balance of forces: 1. The backed jib causes the boat to drift. 2. The mainsail makes us move forward and fall off. 3. The helm to leeward makes us fall off. This tactic allows us to lose the minimum distance to leeward, which can be crucial in rough sea conditions if, indeed, the coast is to leeward.

 - WEATHER VANE:  Device used to determine the wind direction. It is usually arrow-shaped and is located just above the mast.

 - WHEEL:  Circular metal piece that, when connected to a mechanical or hydraulic system, transmits its movements to the rudder and allows us to steer the boat. The movements of the wheel, unlike with a tiller, are synchronized with the direction the boat takes.

 - WICK:  Vertical axis that connects the rudder with the steering system.

 - WINCH:  Winch: A mechanical device, operated manually or by an electric motor, designed to lift and move heavy loads. It consists of a rotating drum around which a cable or rope is wound, causing the load on the other end to move.

 - WINCH:  Cylinders or rotating drums that facilitate the handling of hoisting sails, tightening sheets, etc. This term is used in recreational boats to refer to a small winch. If it is your first time using one, it is important to know that the ropes are wound around the winch by turning it to the right, NEVER to the left. To use them, you need to turn a handle that is inserted into the top part.

 - WINCH HANDLE:  Crank necessary to operate a winch. It has a toothed end that is inserted into the winch.

 - WIND:  Horizontal movement of air with respect to the Earth's surface. This movement of air always occurs from areas of high pressure or anticyclones to areas of low pressure or cyclones, creating wind. As wind is a vector quantity, its measurement includes both direction and speed. Winds are named based on their origin. For example, a north wind indicates that it is coming from the north.

 - WIND VANE:  Thin thread attached to the sail or rigging used to indicate the direction of the wind.

 - WRECK:  Remains of a shipwrecked vessel found at the seabed.

 - X:  X·RAY - "X" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "Stop your intentions and watch for my signals."

 - Y:  YANKEE - "Y" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I am dragging anchor."

 - YACHT:  It is a recreational boat, regardless of its length. It must be registered in the 6th or 7th list and can only be used for recreational purposes.

 - YANKEE:  Fore staysail that is positioned higher and ahead of the jib, with the tack higher.

 - Z:  ZULU - "Z" flag of the International Code of Signals. Meaning: "I require a tug. When used by fishing vessels working in close proximity on fishing grounds, it means: 'I am deploying nets.'"