See Brokerage.

Small birds that foretell bad weather and bad luck.

The piston only compresses air with its stroke in one direction.

Galley smokestack or chimney.

A 19th century term for a yachtsman who sails his own yacht without the help of a professional skipper.

Depth measured; the number indicating depth on a chart; the process of measuring fuel or water in ships' tanks. A ship is thought to be "in soundings" when she is inside the 100 fathom line, and "off soundings" when she is outside that line. ...

The logic of binary systems, such as control systems in which all operations may be reduced to on-off, open-closed, or similar dichotomous basis.

A bollard with horizontal arms, forming the shape of a cross, as a means of belaying lines.

Also known as (U.S.) Federal Bill of Lading Act of 1916. U.S. federal law enacting conditions by which a B/L may be issued. Penalties for issuing B/L's containing false data include monetary fines and/or imprisonment.

The headway a vessel makes when luffed in the wind; the distance a sailing vessel will shoot up to windward when brought head to head in the act of tacking.

In a manner, or fashion, befitting a seaman.

Small marlinespike.

Towards, near, or at the bow; Prefix denoting at, near, or toward the bow.

To come up more into the wind

Two half hitches around a spar or post. Easy way to make a line temporarily fast to a piling or post. The clove hitch can jam under heavy tension, making it difficult to untie. Worse, is its tendency to untie itself when subjected to repeated strain and r ...

The basic unit of measurement for lumber. One board foot is equal to a oneinch board, 12 inches wide and one foot long. Thus, a board ten feet long, 12 inches wide, and one inch thick contains ten board feet.

BTU. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit under set conditions of temperature and pressure.

Any bend or hitch which slips as a result of being improperly tied; an improvised knot which is not a recognized maritime knot as used at sea.

To cast off all but one remaining line.

Pounds per square inch, gauge. Pressure indicated by a pressure gauge.