* OBJECTIVES

* INTRODUCTION
* PARTS OF THE SHIP
* NAVAL TERMINOLOGIES & PHRASEOLOGIES
 To identify ships nomenclature denoting direction and
location as well as nomenclature of fittings, and distinguish
other terms and phraseologies used in the Naval service
without ambiguity.
 In some respect, a navy ship is like a building. It has an
outer wall called HULL, floors called DECKS, inner walls
called BULKHEADS, corridors called PASSAGEWAYS,
ceilings called OVERHEAD, and stairs called LADDERS.
When you go up from the dock, you use ACCOMMODATION
LADDER or GANGFLANK to go ONBOARD, and the entrance
hall or foyer in a building is QUARTERDECK in a ship.
The forward part of the ship is the BOW; to go in that
direction is to go FORWARD; the after part is the STERN; to
go in that direction is to go AFT. The top, open deck of a ship
is the MAINDECK; anything below that is called BELOW
DECKS and anything above it is the SUPERSTRUCTURE. The
forward part of the main deck is the FORECASTLE
(pronounced foc’sle), the after part is the FANTAIL. As you
face forward on a ship, the right side is the STARBOARD and
the left side is PORT SIDE. A comfort room is known as
HEAD.
 Bow
Abeam Forecastle

Starboard Side
Beam Port Side Beam
Superstructure

Abaft
Fantail
Aft
Astern
 Dead Ahead
Bow
Abeam
Forward Stbd Bow
Port Bow

Port Beam Amidship Starboard Beam

Main Deck

Centerline

Port Quarter Stbd Quarter

Stern
Astern
Dead Astern
 Yardarm

Crews Nest Mast

Bridge
Smoke Stock
Pilot House
Fantail
Bow Passage Way
Super Structure

Freeboard Bulkhead

Draft
Water line
 Bridge
Superstructure
Gig
Bulkheads
Quarterdeck

Ancho
r d
Freeboa
Draft Hull

Passageways
Rudder Propeller Water line
 Jack staff
Life lines
Bitts Anchor
Deck
Smoke Stock

Flag staff

l on gsid e
A
PIER
PIER Bollard
Accommodation
Ladder or Gangflank
Mooring lines Dolphin
Bollard
 NAVAL TERMINOLOGIES AND PHRASEOLOGIES
Denote: Direction and Locations:
1. ABAFT – Behind or further aft, astern or toward the astern.
2. ABEAM- At right angle to the centerline of and outside a ship.
3. AMIDSHIP- In the middle portion of the ship.
4. AFT- In, near or toward the astern.
5. ASTERN- Toward the stern, an object or vessel that is abaft another
vessel or object.
6. ALONGSIDE- Beside a pier or berth.
7. BOW- Forward part of a ship.
8. BRIDGE- Raised platform which a ship is steered or navigated.
9. BROADSIDE TO- At right angle to the fore and aft line of the ship.
10. CENTERLINE- Imaginary line running from ship’s bow to astern
11. DEAD AHEAD- Directly ahead of the ship’s bow in the line of the
centerline.
12. DEAD ASTERN- Directly aft of a ship’s stern in line of the
centerline
13. DRAFT- Depth of the water from the surface waterline to the ship’s
keel.
14. FREEBOARD- Height of ship’s side from the waterline to the main
deck.
15. LEEWARD- Direction away from the wind.
16. WINDWARD- Direction toward the wind.
17. WATERLINE- The line which makes the surface with the hull.
18. PORTSIDE- Left hand side of the ship facing forward.
19. STARBOARDSIDE- Right hand side of the ship facing forward.
20. QUARTERDECK – Part of the main deck reserved for honors and
21. FANTAIL – Main deck section in the after part of the ship.

DENOTES NOMENCLATURE/FITTINGS:
1. BITTS- Strong iron post on ship’s deck for working or fastening
lines; almost invariably in pairs.
2. BULKHEAD- One of the vertical wall-like structure enclosing a
compartment.
3. BRIG- Prison aboardship or on shore.
4. BOLLARD- Wooden or iron post on pier or wharf to which mooring
lines are secured
5. CLEAT- a small deck fitting of metal with horns used for securing
lines.
6. DECK- Aboardship, it corresponds to a floor.
7. COMPARTMENT- Corresponds to a room in a building.
8. OVERHEAD- Aboardship, it corresponds to a ceiling of a building.
9. HEAD- Compartment of a ship having toilet facilities.
10. SUPERSTRUCTURE- All equipments or fittings extending above
the hull except armaments
11. MAST- Upright spar supporting signal yard and antennas in a naval
ship.
12. WARDROOM- Officer’s mess and lounge room aboardship
13. YARDARM- a spar attached to a mast and running athwartship
14. RUDDER- Flat vertical, movable, structure attached to the stern
used for steering the ship.
15. LAZARETTE- A storage compartment at the stern below deck.
16. GALLEY- The ship’s kitchen
17. CABIN- The Captain’s living quarter.
18. QAUARTERS- Living space, assembly of the new.

OTHER NAVAL TERMS:

1. ADRIFT- Loose from mooring or out of place
2. AYE-AYE- Reply to an order to indicate that it is heard, understood
and will be carried out.
3. ABOARD- In or in the ship
4. AVAST- a Command to cease or desist from whatever is being done
5. BILLET- Allotted sleeping place. A man’s position in the ship’s
organization
6. ALL HANDS- Entire ship’s company
7. BLACK GANG- Slang for engine force
8. BEAR A HAND- Lend a helping hand, speed up work
9. BINNACLE LIST- Sick list, list of men excuse from duty
10. BOOT- Slang for a new recruit
11. COXWAIN- Enlisted men in charge of a boat
12. CROSSING THE LINE- Crossing the earth’s equator
13. DOLPHIN- Cluster of piles at the corner or edge of a pier
14. DEAD ON THE WATER- a ship is said to be Dead on the Water
when she has neither headway nor sternway in the water, not
moored, anchored or aground.
15. FATHOMS- Six (6) feet unit of length
16. FIELD DAY- General cleaning day, aboardship, usually before
inspection
17. FLAG OFFICER- An officer of the rank of Commodore or above
18. GANGWAY- Opening in the bulkwark; to give entrance; an order to
stand aside and get out of the way.
19. GENERAL QAURTERS- Battle stations for all hands
20. GIG – Ship’s boat designed for the commanding officer.
21. JAVA – Slang for coffe.
22. JUMP SHIP – Slang for leaving the ship without authority or
permission.
23. KNOCK OFF – To cease what is being done or to stop work.
24. IRISH PENNANTS – Untidy loose end of lines carelessly left
dangling, unauthorized hangings.
25. LUCKY BAG – Stowage of articles found adrift.
26. LANDLUBBERS – Term for one who has never been at sea.
27. PASSAGEWAY – Corridors.
28. PIPE DOWN – An order to keep silent.
29. PASS THE WORD – To repeat an order or information to the crew.
30. POLLYWOG – Person who has never been cross the equator.
31. SHELLBACK – A man who has cross the equator and has been
initiated.
32. SEA DOG – Old sailor.
33. SEA LAWYER – Enlisted men who likes to argue, usually one who
thinks he can twist the regulations and standing orders around to
favor his personal inclination.
34. SKAG – Slang for cigarette.
35. SHIPSHAPE – Neat, orderly condition.
36. SICKBAY – Ship’s hospital or dispensary.
37. SKIPPY – Slang for undershirt.
38. SECURE – To make fast, to tie; an order given in completion of a
drill or exercise meaning to withdraw from drill station.
39. STANDBY – Preparatory; order meaning “GET ready or prepare to”
40. TURN TO – An order to begin work.
41. VERY WELL – A reply of a senior to a junior to indicate that
information given is understood, or that permission is granted.
42. IDLER – A day worker; one who stands no night watches.
43. WATCH – A period of duty, usually of four hours duration.
44. DAVYJONES LOCKER - The bottom of the sea.