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Moving on to terms beginning with M through O, we’ve got even more words and phrases for you to learn here! Take a look to discover more sea-faring language!

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M

Magnetic bearing – Using magnetic north, this is the absolute bearing.

Magnetic north – The direction dictated by the North Magnetic Pole. It varies over time.

Main deck – The topmost deck of the ship which extends from the bow to the stern.

Mainmast/Main – The tallest mast.

Mainstay – The stay that runs from the bottom of the foremast up to the top of the mainmast.

Making way – A ship that is moving from its own power.

Manifest – A document that lists all the cargo, passengers and crew aboard a ship. Used by customs and other officials.

Marina – A place to dock smaller ships and yachts.

Mariner – Another word for a sailor.

Maritime – Of or relating to the see. Or bordering the sea.

Mast – A pole running vertically on a ship which supports both sails and rigging.

Mast stepping – Raising the mast.

Mess or Messdeck – The place where the crew eat aboard the ship.

Moor – Docking a ship, or attaching a ship to a cable, buoy, post, or anchor.

Mooring – A place to moor a ship.

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N

Narrows – Within a navigable waterway, a narrow part that you can still pass through.

Nautical – Pertaining to sailors, navigation, and seamanship. See also maritime.

Nautical mile – A unit of length. It corresponds to one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian arc.

Navigation – Activities that relate to plotting and tracking the position and course of a ship to keep track of its positive relative to land while it is at sea.

Nay – Means no.

Nock – The throat of a mainsail.

Nun – Cone or triangular shaped navigational buoy.

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O

Oakum – A material that is used to caulk hulls. It’s often the hemp picked from old and untwisted ropes.

Offing – Refers to the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore. It is generally beyond the anchoring ground.

Offshore – Referring to wind, blowing seawards from the land. Or moving away from shore.

Oiler – A naval ship which has fuel tanks and dry cargo that is used to replenish other ships.

Oilskins or oilies – The clothing worn by sailors in foul-weather.

Old man – In slang, a name for the captain or commanding officer of a ship.

Old salt – In slang, a name for an experienced mariner.

On station – A ship or vessel’s destination, usually an area that is patrolled or guarded.

On the hard – Any boat that has been hauled away and is sitting on dry land now.

Outboard – On the outside of the hull of a ship. Or something that is on the vessel but is positioned away from the centreline.

Outboard motor – A motor that is mounted on the external part of the ship. Usually, a boat with an outboard motor is steered by twisting the whole motor, rather than a rudder. A rudder may still be used.

Outhaul – A line used to control a sail’s shape.

Overbear – A method of sailing directly downwind of another ship to steal the wind from its sails.

Overboard – Outside or off a ship or vessel. If someone falls, is pushed or thrown off of a vessel, they have gone overboard.

Overfalls – Steep and breaking seas that are caused by wind and opposing currents in a shallow area of the sea. Or that is caused by stronger currents over a shallow and rocky bottom.

Overhead – The ceiling of an enclosed space below decks of a boat.

Overwhelmed – A boat that has capsized or foundered.

Ox-eye – A weather phenomenon, possibly a cloud, which could indicate an upcoming storm.

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If you’ve enjoyed learning more about terms and words relating to the sea then why not contact us today to take your training to the next level.