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Term
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Definition
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Abaft
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Toward the stern
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Aft
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Towards the rear of a vessel
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Ahead
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Pointing forward towards the bow
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Aid to Navigation
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A device or object, external to the vessel, located to assist safe navigation
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All-Round Light
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Navigation light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360°
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Anchor
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Designed to hold a vessel
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Astern
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Towards the stern
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Beam
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The width of the vessel
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Bilge
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The deepest part of the inside of a vessel
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Bow
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The front of the vessel
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Buoy
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Floating aid to navigation
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Capsize
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Overturning a vessel
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Chine
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Where the bottom of the vessel meets the side
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Chart
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Map of navigational waters
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Cleat
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T-shaped fitting to which lines are hitched
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Cockpit
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Exterior sitting area in a vessel
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Compass
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Instrument for finding magnetic direction
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Current
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Horizontal movement of water
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Dead Ahead
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Directly ahead
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Downstream
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In the direction of the current flow
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Draft
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Minimum depth of water needed to float a vessel
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Fenders
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Various devices to cushion shock and protect the sides of a vessel
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Flare
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A signal device used to indicate distress
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Freeboard
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The minimum vertical distance measured on the boats side from the waterline to the upper edge of the vessel
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Forward
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Toward the bow/ahead
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Give-way Vessel
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Vessel required to keep clear of the other vessel while completing its maneuver
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Helm
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Wheel or tiller controlling a rudder or outboard motor
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Hull
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The main body of the vessel, a boats shell
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Hypothermia
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A serious medical condition caused by losing body heat more rapidly then the body can product it
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I/O
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Inboard/outdrive, stern drive
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Inboard engine
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An engine mounted inside the hull
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Leeward
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Down wind, away from the wind
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Lines
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Ropes of various sizes used aboard vessels
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Operator
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Person in control of a vessel/responsible for the vessel
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Pleasure Craft
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Vessel used exclusively for pleasure and not for commercial use
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Port
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Left side of a vessel when looking forward
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Power Driven Vessel
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Vessel propelled by machinery
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Rode
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Line or chain which joins an anchor to an anchored vessel
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Running Lights
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Proper lights to display when a vessel is underway at night or in restricted visibility
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Sailing Vessel
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Any vessel under sail
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Side Lights
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Green light on the starboard side and red light on the port side of a vessel
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Stand-On Vessel
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Vessel required to maintain course and speed while the other vessel keeps clear
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Starboard
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Right side of a vessel
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Stern
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The rear part of the vessel
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Sternlight
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A white light at or near the vessels stern
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Towline
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A rope suitable for towing the vessel on which it is fitted
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Transom
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The flat area at the back of the vessel
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Trip Plan
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Document that explains the route and estimated time of arrival of a particular voyage
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Underway
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Vessel in motion
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Upstream
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Against the current flow
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Wake
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Waves created by a boats progress through the water
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Wash
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Waves created by a boats progress through the water, which are carried outwards from a vessel track
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Windward
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Toward the direction from which the wind is coming
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