Coastguard NZ Day Skipper key terms

The left-hand side of a boat when you are facing forward toward the bow. Remember it by the fact that both 'port' and 'left' have four letters.

The right-hand side of a boat when facing forward toward the bow. Navigation lights and give-way rules depend on distinguishing it quickly from port.

The forward end of a boat, the part that leads when moving ahead. Anchoring, mooring and lookout duties are usually organised from near the bow.

The rear end of a boat. It carries the steering position on many small craft and is where the propeller and rudder are usually found.

The flat, usually vertical surface forming the back of the hull. Outboard motors are commonly mounted on it, and it often carries the boat's name.

The main body of a boat that floats in the water, excluding masts, rigging and fittings. Its shape affects stability, speed and how the boat handles waves.

The vertical distance from the waterline to the lowest point of the deck edge. More freeboard generally keeps a boat drier and more seaworthy.

The depth of water a boat needs to float, measured from the waterline to the lowest part of the hull or keel. It limits where you can safely navigate.

The maximum width of a boat at its widest point. Beam affects stability and how much space the boat needs in a marina berth.

A rope attached to the bow of a small boat, used for tying it to a jetty, mooring or trailer. It should be long enough to secure the boat safely.

A fixed or anchored point where a boat is secured, such as a buoy, pile or marina berth. Mooring lines connect the boat to it.

A designated space in a marina or alongside a wharf where a boat is tied up. Also used for a sleeping place on board.

A wearable buoyancy aid or lifejacket that keeps a person afloat. In New Zealand, wearing one is required on many small craft, and it must fit the wearer.

A personal flotation device designed to turn an unconscious wearer face-up in the water. It differs from a basic buoyancy aid, which only assists a conscious swimmer.

A lanyard attached to the engine cut-off switch and to the driver, so the engine stops if the driver falls or moves away from the helm.

The position from which the boat is steered, or the act of steering. The person on the helm is responsible for the boat's course and speed.

The reference level from which depths on a nautical chart are measured, usually close to the lowest astronomical tide. Charted depths are therefore mostly conservative.

The regular rise and fall of sea level caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. Tidal height changes affect depth, currents and passage timing.

The horizontal movement of water caused by tides, flowing in a direction that changes through the tidal cycle. It affects boat speed and course over the ground.

The actual direction a boat travels over the seabed, combining its heading with the effect of current, tidal stream and leeway. It may differ significantly from the compass heading.

The direction the boat's bow is pointing, usually expressed in degrees and read from a compass. It is not necessarily the direction the boat is actually moving.

The direction of an object or destination from your position, measured in degrees. Taking bearings helps fix your position and plan a safe course.

A confirmed location on the chart, obtained by bearings, GPS or other means. A reliable fix is the starting point for any navigation decision.

Angular distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees and minutes. On New Zealand charts it is the figure shown along the sides of the chart.

Angular distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees and minutes. It is shown along the top and bottom edges of a nautical chart.

A written plan for a trip covering route, waypoints, tides, weather, fuel, contingencies and emergency options. It is shared with someone ashore before departure.

A planned position on a route, stored in a GPS or marked on a chart. Waypoints are joined to form the track the boat intends to follow.

The vessel required to keep out of the way of another under the collision prevention rules. It must take early and substantial action to avoid a close-quarters situation.

The vessel that has the right of way under the collision prevention rules. It must maintain course and speed but still act if the give-way vessel does not.

The spoken distress signal used on VHF radio when a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate help. It has absolute priority over all other traffic.

The spoken urgency signal used when a vessel or person is in difficulty but not in immediate danger of loss of life. It alerts others and requests assistance without the urgency of mayday.

The VHF marine channel reserved for distress, safety and calling. You listen on it continuously at sea and use it to establish contact before moving to a working channel.

A transmission made by another station on behalf of a vessel in distress, used when the casualty cannot transmit or its signal is not heard. It repeats the mayday information.

The New Zealand government agency responsible for maritime safety, including search and rescue coordination and radio communications. It operates the maritime radio service and issues safety notices.

A person who has fallen from a vessel into the water. The response includes shouting the alert, throwing buoyancy, keeping sight and manoeuvring carefully back to the person.

The disturbed water left behind a moving boat. Wakes can swamp small craft and damage moored boats, so speed must be reduced in harbours and near shore.

An area, often marked or signposted, where boats must travel at a speed that creates little or no wake. It typically covers harbours, marinas and congested waterways.

A shallow bank of sand or shingle across a river mouth or harbour entrance. Bars can create dangerous breaking waves, and crossing one requires local knowledge and timing.