Maritime Terms and Definition
Bow - The forward most or front part of the vessel. Opposite of Stern
Stern - The end of a vessel. Opposite of bow.
Propeller - A rotating device, with two or more blades, that acts as a screw in propelling a vessel.
Sometimes called a screw.
Aft - At, near or towards the stern; to move aft is to move back.
Rudder - A board-shaped swinging vane, controlled by a tiller or wheel, and attached to the
rudderpost or stern for steering and maneuvering a vessel.
Bridge - The raised platform extending athwart ships, the part of the ship from which the ship is
steered and navigated.
Engine Room - Where the engines of a ship are confined.
Galley - The kitchen area of a boat.
Mess Room - Dining room facilities and kitchen for crew separate from the passenger dining
room and kitchen.
Starboard Side- The right side of the boat when facing forward.
Port Side - The left side of the boat when facing forward; originally called larboard. The opposite
of starboard.
Deck - A permanent covering over a compartment, hull or any part of a ship serving as a floor.
Mast - The vertical pole or spar that supports the boom and sails. A mast on a mechanically
propelled vessel holds electronics antennas, lights, etc.
Forecastle - Short raised deck at fore end of ship; fore of ship under main deck.
Midship - In the middle portion of the boat - Roughly halfway between a ship's stem and stern,
and where the beam usually is the widest.
Hull - The main structural body or shell of the boat, not including the deck, keel, mast, or cabin.
Gangway - A narrow portable platform used as a passage, by persons entering or leaving a vessel
moored alongside a pier.
Bulkhead - A name given to any vertical partition or wall which separates different
compartments or spaces from one another, also adding strength. Sometimes bulkheads are also
watertight, adding to the vessel's safety.
Chimney or Funnel - Used to expel boiler steam and smoke or engine exhaust. They are also
commonly referred to as stacks.
Winch - A metal drum shaped device used to increase hauling power when raising or trimming
sails, loading and discharging cargo, or for hauling in lines. A machine that has a drum on which
to coil a rope, cable or chain for hauling, pulling or hoisting.
Capstan - A revolving cylindrical device used for heaving in lines or anchors - A vertical, spool-
shaped rotating drum around which cable, hawser or chain is wound for hoisting anchors, sails
and other heavy weights. A capstan rotates around a vertical axis, as opposed to a windlass,
which revolves around a horizontal axis.
Mooring Line - A line used to secure a boat to an anchor, dock, or mooring.
Draft: The distance from the surface of the water to the ships keel (how deep the ship is into the
water).
