Heave to A sailing vessel is hove to when a headsail is backed, thus reducing the way through the water.
Heaving line Light line, knotted on one end to throw ashore when berthing, as a messenger for a larger moor-
ing line.
Heel A tilt from the upright; the foot of a mast.
High
Water (HW) The maximum height reached by a rising tide. The height may be due solely to the periodic tidal
forces, or may include effects of weather. Use of the synonymous term, high tide, is discouraged.
Higher High
Water (HHW) The higher of the two high waters of any tidal day.
Higher Low
Water (HLW) The higher of the two low waters of any tidal day.
Holding
ground The type of bottom for anchor; i.e., good or bad holding ground.
Hydraulic
Current A current in a channel caused by a difference in the surface level at the two ends. Such a current
may be expected in a strait connecting two bodies of water in which the tides differ in time or
range.
INSHORE Toward the shore.
Irons A vessel is “in irons” when caught head to wind and unable to fall off on either tack.
Isophase Navigation light where duration of light and dark are equal.
JACKSTAy A bar or rope on which anything travels; e.g., a rope leading along the deck, to which safety
harnesses may be clipped.
Jibe To change tacks by swinging the stern through the wind, and/or to swing a fore and aft sail to
swing from one side to the other.
Jury A makeshift rig to replace a lost mast or rudder.
KEDGE (a) A lightweight anchor; (b)To use that anchor to pull the vessel up to it.
King spoke The spoke of the steering wheel which is upright when the rudder is amidships.
Knot Speed unit of one nautical mile (6,076 feet) per hour.
y
LAUNCH (a) To place a vessel into the water; (b) A small motor-tender.
Lay To go; that is, Iay aft or lay aloft, lay to (i.e., heave to), lay up, lay a course. The twisting of
strands in a rope.
Lead The lead weight at the end of the lead line used to find depth of water.
Glossar
Lee side The side away from the wind direction.
Lee tide Tidal stream running with the wind.
Leeward
(loo’ard) Direction away from the wind.
Leeway The sideways drift of a vessel from her course to leeward, due to wind pressure.
List Heel caused by having greater weight on one side.
lanning
Log An instrument that records the distance run. P
Log book The record of events on board a ship, especially navigational.
Loom (a) The reflection on the clouds of light from below; (b) An oar handle.
Low
Water (LW) The minimum height reached by a falling tide. The height may be due solely to the periodic tidal
forces, or may include effects of weather. Use of the synonymous term, low tide, is discouraged.
Lower High
Water (LHW) The lower of the two high waters of any tidal day.
Lower Low
Water (LLW) The lower of the two low waters of any tidal day.
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