NAUTICAL TERMS AND FISHING TERMINOLOGY
Navigation:
TRUE COURSE
is the angle made by the ship’s head with
true geographic north and is known as
TRUE COURSE.
MAGNETIC COURSE
The angle that the ship’s head makes
with the magnetic meridian is known as
the MAGNETIC COURSE
VARIATION
The angle by which the magnetic
meridians vary from the true meridians is
known as the VARIATION (The angle
between true and magnetic north)
DEVIATION
Is an error of the compass caused by the
magnetic influences of the vessel (The
angle between magnetic and compass
north)
COMPASS COURSE
The course indicates by a magnetic
compass influenced by both variation
and deviation is known as the
COMPASS COURSE
COURSE TO STEER
Course plotted on the chart after
conversion from the true to compass and
also from compass to true. The course
related to the compass related to the
helmsman
COURSE MADE GOOD
TRACK The path followed or to be
followed between one position and
another. This path may be that over the
ground (ground track) or through the
water (water track) GROUND TRACK
course made good over the ground.
WATER TRACK Course allowing for
leeway
D.R. (DEAD RECKONING)
Maintaining or predicting an approximate
record of progress by projecting course
and distance from a known position
(symbol +)
D.R. POSITION
A position obtained by dead reckoning
i.e. using true course and distance run.
PLOTTING
Set out a course on a chart
FIX (TRUE)
Position marked on chart, circle with
inner dot
NAUTICAL POSITION
Sea mile 2000 yards
YARDS
Imperial measurement
CABLE
10 cables to 1 Nautical mile, 200 yards to
one cable
BEARINGS
Visual bearing taken from compass or
ship’s head
RELATIVE BEARING
Nothing the direction of an object relative
to ship’s head
LATITUDE
Planes can be passed through the earth,
which are all perpendicular to the spin
axis and parallel to the Equator. These
planes intercept the surface of the earth
in lines known as parallels of LATITUDE
LONGITUDE
An infinite number of planes can be
passed through the earth with the spin
axis and both poles in the same plane.
These planes intercept the surface of the
earth in circles known as meridians. That
half of a meridian extending from pole to
pole on the same side of the earth as the
observer is referred to as the upper
branch and the half on the other side of
the earth as the lower branch. All
meridians will intercept the equator and
the parallels of the Latitude at 90
degrees. The reference meridian of
Greenwich, located in London, England
and is often referred to as the prime
meridian. Longitude is the angular
measure east of west between the
Greenwich meridian and the meridian
passing through a given place.
CHARTS (NAUTICAL)
A nautical chart is a representation of the
earth’s surface specifically designed for
the use in navigation. It contains
information on coastlines, harbours,
channels, obstructions, currents, depths,
of the water and aids to navigation.
SCALE (CHART)
Large and Small. i.e. a scale of
1/100,000 is smaller than a scale of
1/50,000. A scale of 1/100,000 means
that 1 inch on the chart corresponds to
100,000 inches on the surface of the
earth.
PARALLEL RULER
Used in plotting on nautical charts.
DIVIDERS
As above
HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE
Chart Publishers
DOUBTFUL DATA
Indicated on the chart
ADMIRALTY
Navy
COMPASS NORTH
TRUE NORTH
MAGNETIC NORTH
COMPASS
See page one
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2 types, magnetic and gyro
COMPASS ROSE
Compass card – Also marked on nautical
chart with variation
GYRO COMPASS
Electronic compass shows True North
AZIMUTH MIRROR
For taking bearing of sun, stars or other
objects
SHIP’S HEAD
Direction ship is pointing
ERROR
Compass error – The sum of variation
and devation. When applied to the true
course the result is the compass course
G.P.S
SATNAV
SEXTANT
RADAR
ECHO SOUNDER
RADIO
H.F
V.H.F
U.H.F
TRANSMIT
RECEIVE
R.D.F
LEAD LINE
FATHOM
METRE
TIDAL DATUM
Global Positioning System
Satellite Navigation System
Navigation instrument
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Unit
Unit to give depth reading
Communication device
High Frequency
Very High Frequency
Ultra High Frequency
Send message via radio
Receive message
Radio direction finder
Depth measuring device
6 feet, Imperial measurement
Metric measurement
For practical purposes it can be taken
that chart datum or zero level is the
lowest low water springs
TIDE
Tides are periodic vertical movements of
the water on the earth’s surface
SET AND DRIFT
The direction towards which a current
flows is SET and DRIFT the distance
covered in a given time
To where the drift is setting you
Measured in knots, speed of drift
SET TO
DRIFT
WIND SPEED
WIND DIRECTION
SEA STATE
SWELL
CURRENT
CLOUD COVER (in 8’s)
VISABILITY
VISUAL
STEAMING
ANCHORED
ANCHORAGE
TOW
PUSHING
AGROUND
SETTING
SHOOTING
RECOVER
HAUL
BACK UP
AHEAD
ASTERN
DEAD IN WATER
UNDERWAY
MAKING WAY
ATHWARTS
ATHWARTSHIP
MIDSHIP
PORT
STARBOARD
FORWARD
FOR’D
AFT
ABAFT
ABEAM
ABREAST
FOREPEAK
FOREPEAK
COFFERDAM
VOID SPACE
STEM
STERN
CENTRE LINE
BILGE
RIB
STRINGER
STRAKE
BULKHEAD
BULWARK
DECK HEAD
DECK
DOUBLE BOTTOM
FORE AND AFT
BRIDGE
Knots
From
Beaufort scale 1 to 12
Direction going to, not from
Direction flowing to
Called Octa’s, 4/8’s = ½ cloud cover
Affected by conditions, i.e. rain, clouds
When sighted
Vessel underway and making way
Vessel stationary at anchor
Safe haven to lay up a vessel
One vessel pulling another
Vessel pushing another
Vessel made fast to the bottom
Setting a line or net
A net or gear from a vessel (setting)
To haul a net or line, bring inboard
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an anchor
To a trawl net when recovering
Go forwars, in front of you
Go backwards, reverse, behind you
Stopped
Not fastened to shore or ocean floor
Moving through water
Seats in small vessel from port to stb’d
Middle of ship
Rudder is centred, ship head facing dead
ahead
Left hand side
Right hand side
To front
To front
To the back
Behind
Beside you, level with you
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Most forward in the bows
Most forward and lowest in the bow
Space below deck, low down inside
Space below deck but closed up
Most forward part of ship
Most rearward part of ship
Running from stern to stern
Under machinary, collects liquid, inner
bottom of vessel
Structure in hull, the rib
As above, runs for’d to aft
As above but on outside hull, deflects
Walls in ship
Upper deck soild guardrail
Roof
Floor
Space above bottom hull
To front and back
Area to con or drive a vessel
WHEEL HOUSE
COACH HOUSE
BELOW DECK
ENGINE ROOM
TILLER FLAT
WAIST
FORCASTLE
QUARTER DECK
HOLD
HOLD
SNAP
PREP ROOM
HATCH
COAMING
DOGS
CAULKING
CARVEL
KLINKA
FREEZER COMPRESSOR
FREON
AMMONIA
BOLLARD
CAPSTAN
GYPSY
BOOM
DERRICK
WARPING DRUM
WINDLASS
ANCHOR
TILLER
RUDDER
SCREW
PROPELLOR
PROPELLOR SHAFT
STERN GLAND
STERN TUBE
LIMBA HOLE
FREE FLOW WATER
SCUPPER
As above
Accommodation area on type 1/2/3
All below number 1 or main deck
Machinery spaces
Steering gear compartment
Area of deck low to water, usually just
for’d of bridge
Front upper deck
Most after deck
Cargo
Freezer, fish holding
Freeze, quick freezer
Preparation area
Opening through deck or bulkhead
Prevents water entering deck hatch
Clips to lock a door or hatch
Used to plug gaps in timbered vessels
Term for lay of planking in timber vessel,
timbers butted together in flush fit
As above but timbers overlap top/bottom
Compresses refrigerant
Gas/liquid refrigerant
As above
To secure mooring lines to
Mechanical driven to haul lines or cables
onto the ship
Mechanical driven to haul anchor cables
Timber arm suspended from ship’s side
or part of a sailing vessel’s rigging
Suspended arm used to lift weights or
recover lifeboats
Mechanical driven rotating drum used to
recover or feed out (veer) rope or cable
Mechanical driven winch to recover an
anchor
Used to secure a ship to an object, or
buoy fixed in harbour for mooring ships
Connected to rudder post to hand steer a
boat
Fitted below water at stern to steer a
vessel when moved in directions
required
Word for propellor
Rotating in water to drive a vessel
Connected to engine to drive the
propellor
To stop water entering around propellor
shaft, connected to inner side of stern
tube by a flange
Propellor shaft passes through the stern
tube which is fitted in hull of ship
Drainage holes in bilges of vessel, to
prevent free flow water
Uncontrolled water moving inside hull
To allow water to discharge overside
FREEING PORT
PORT HOLE
SCUTTLE
DEADLIGHT
As above
Hole for window in vessel side
As above, heavy duty glass
Steel cover for above
MAIN ENGINE
AUXILLARY
AUXILLARY MACHINARY
GENERATOR
Main propulsion unit
Secondary propulsion unit
Associated machinary in a vessel
Engine connected to alternator to
produce electrical power
Engine with cylinders from front to rear in
line
Engine with cylinders in ‘V’ formation
To assist air forced into an engine
As above
Alternating current
Direct current (12/24V, batteries, etc)
Voltage
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Storage of power source
D/C power
D/C power
Ready use diesel supply tanks to engine
Space where fuel or water can be
stowed
Fuel injected to cylinder through this unit
Pump to supply fuel to injector
Incorporated in diesel engine to
condense air and raise temperature prior
to entry to cylinder
As above
System to cool machinery coolants
outside of hull, a heat exchanger
Internal system as above
Mechanical pump to remove water
Hand
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Types of fuel and lubricants
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Container for water or fuel
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Oil to drive hydraulic machinery
Country
International code of signals
Distress
Styrene foam or plastic to suspend in
water
Vertical pole suspended in water with
marker flag, to identify an object
As above but transmits a signal to the
fishing boats
Any floating object to indentify an area or
thing
Associated with type 1/2/3/
IN LINE CYLINDER
‘V’ CYLINDER
TURBO CHARGER
SUPER CHARGER
AC POWER
DC POWER
240V a/c
110V a/c
BATTERIES
12V
24V
DAY TANKS
DOUBLE BOTTOM
INJECTOR
INJECTOR PUMP
INTERCOOLED
AFTERCOOLED
KEEL COOLING
HEAT EXCHANGER
BILGE PUMP
BILGE PUMP
DIESEL FUEL
ENGINE OILS
KEROSENE
PETROL
JERRY CAN
DRUM
HYDRAULIC OIL
FLAG
FLAG
FLAG
FLOATS
DANBUOY
LIGHT BUOY
MARKER BUOY
SAILS
RIGGING
MAST
BOOM
JIB
BLOCK
COMPRESSOR
AIR VESSEL
2 STAGE
AIR HOSE
REGULATOR
MASK
WEIGHTS
FINS
BENDS
NET BAG
HARPOON
SPEAR
SPEAR GUN
RATTLE
DIVE GOGGLES
PARANG
Ropes and guys
To suspend a sail
To spread a sail
For’d sail
Object to pass a rope through for ease or
lifting or pulling
Fixture to tie a rope to
Exhaust gasses pass up and out of a
vessel
Expended burnt gas from engine
Over ship’s side, fluids, etc
Transfer of liquids, pumping bilges over
side
Self contained unit to supply air to diver
in water
Piston driven to compress air
Air storage tank
2 stages of compressing air
Line to supply air to diver
Mouth piece to deliver air
Face and eye protector
To help a diver decend
To help propell a swimmer
Complaint a diver may suffer
For carriage of product (trepang or shell)
Hand propellor spear
As above
Self propelled spear
Shark attraction device
Eye protectors
Large knife
SEARCH FOR
MARINE PRODUCT
DEMERSAL
MID WATER
MOUNTS
SHOALS
REEFS
BARS
ISLANDS
LAGOONS
SUBMERGED
DEPTH
DRAUGHT
BEAM
L.O.A
SHARK
SHARK FINS
RAYS
FIN FISH
TURTLE
TREPANG
TROCHUS
CLAM
Looking for area to fish
All products of the sea
Bottom dwelling habitat
middle water
Hills or mountains under sea
As above but not as steep
Coral and rock around islands, cays
Usually sand in entrances’
Above sea level
Found inside islands and reefs
Below water
Measurement or sounding
Measurement of hull below water
Widest point of vessel
Length overall of a vessel
Covers all species
All fins on shark
Covers sting rays and shovel nose rays
Swimming specie, boney fish
Protected species
Sedentary species
Sedentary species
Bivalve mollusc
CLEAT
STACK
EXHAUST
DISCHARGE
PUMPING
HOOKAH GEAR
PEARL SHELL
DOLPHIN
WHALE
GILL NET
HEADROPE
FOOTROPE
LEADLINE
LONGLINE
DROPPER & SNOOD
HOOKS
LINE HAULER
ROTATING BOBBINS
DROP LINES
HAND LINE
TRAWL NET
COD END
GILLNETTER
LONGLINER
TYPE 3
TYPE 2
TYPE 1
ICE BOAT
NET HAULER
WARPING DRUM
WARP STOWAGE DRUM
BRIDLES
WARPS
WINGS
MESH SIZE
BOARDS OTTER
DOORS
GRAPNEL HOOK
LAZY LINE
F.C.P.B
R.I.B
C.O
X.O
NAV
SBLT
P.O
L.S
L.S.M.T
A.B
B.P
BOARDING CARDS
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Mammal
Mammal
Suspended net made up of meshes from
headrope to footrope or leadline causing
entanglement of fish
Top rope on gillnet or trawl net
Bottom rope on gillnet or trawl net
Bottom rope on gillnet
Mainline consisting of droppers, snoods
and hooks attached
Synthetic line attached to mainline
complete with trace and hook
Attached to lines
Mechancial or hydraulic driven to recover
lines
Rotating wheels on haulers
Vertical lines with hooks
Hand held lines
Net towed astern of vessels
End of trawl net, collects products
Vessel engaged in gillnetting
Vessel engaged in longlining
Indonesian sailing vessel (prahu)
Indonesian sailing vessel (prahu) no
Jib, laid back mast
Indonesian type 3 engaged in longline
operation for reef fish
Hydraulic, rotating hauler to recover
gillnet
Mechancial or hydraulic driven drum
used to recover geat by warping in lines
(bringing in) laid around drum
Hydraulic driven winch to stow warps
and bridles from the trawl net
Attach net to sweep wire
Attach otter boards to towing vessel
Outer sections of the trawl net
Measurement of net meshes
Towed to hold net open
Towed to hold net open
Lines and grapnel to snag an object
Attach to codend, to haul in
Fremantle Class Patrol Boat (R.A.N)
Ridgid Inflatable Boat (R.A.N)
Commanding Officer (R.A.N)
Executive Officer, Lieutenant (R.A.N)
Navigator (R.A.N)
Sub-Lieutenant (R.A.N)
Petty Officer
Leading Seaman
Leading Seaman Marine Technical
Able Seaman
Boarding Party (R.A.N)
A.F.M.A. issue interpreting cards
A.F.Z
NM
SQ pennant 3
O.O.W
OOW NOTE BOOK
NARRATIVE
Australian Fishing Zone
Nautical Mile
Hoist Flags SIERRA, QUBEC number 3
which means STOP YOUR SHIP ‘I
INTEND TO BOARD YOU’
Officer of the watch (on FCPB)
Registrar kept on bridge, compiled from
OOW note book
Registrar of events complied in book as
ordered by C.O
Document to assist Interpreters and prosecutor in use of nautical terms used in
fisheries offences
Ray Doherty
Nov 96