Pleasure Craft Terminology

Pleasure Craft Terminology

Range Beacons:
A set of at least two markers placed a distance apart at various intervals permanently installed to form a transit and used to indicatea recommended track through dangerous or narrow waters.

Small craft warning:
Sustained wind speeds in the range of 20 to 33 knots inclusive as defined by Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada.

Gale warning:
Sustained wind speeds in the range of 34 to 47 knots inclusive as defined by Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada.

Storm warning:
Sustained wind speeds in the range of 48 to 63 knots inclusive as defined by Atmospheric Environment Service, Environment Canada.

Port:
The left side of a pleasure craft looking forward.

Hull:
The body of a pleasure craft exclusive of masts, sails, rigging, machinery and equipment.

Fenders:
Various devices serving to cushion the shocks and protect the side of a pleasure craft.

Pleasure craft:
A boat, a ship, a vessel, or any other description of water craft that is used exclusively for pleasure and does not carry passengers or goods for hire, reward, remuneration or any object of profit.

Ahead:
Direction or position pointing forward of a pleasure craft

Bow:
The forward part of a pleasure craft.

Underway:
A pleasure craft that is not at anchor or made fast to the shore.

Beam:
The width of a pleasure craft.

Power driven vessel:
Any vessel propelled by machinery as described in the Collision Regulations, rule 3.

Sailing vessel:
Any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.

Windward side:
The side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried or, in the case of a square-rigged vessel, the side opposite to that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried.

Code of signals Flag A:
The international diving flag (usually blue and white in colour) must be displayed by any vessel engaged in diving. A red and white flag carried on a buoy is used to mark areas where diving is in progress, although divers may stray from the boundaries of the marked areas. The Code of signals Flag A is regulated under the Private Buoy Regulations. When encountered the operator of a pleasure craft must keep well clear at slow speed.

Passive Radar Reflector:
Pleasure craft that are under 20 metres in length or a craft which is constructed primarily of non-metallic materials (wood or fiberglass), must be equipped with a passive radar reflector. The radar reflector must be mounted or suspended at a height of not less than 4 metres above the water if practicable. Unless: You only operate in limited traffic conditions, daylight, favourable environmental conditions and where compliance is not essential for the safety of the craft. OR: Unless the small size of the craft or operation of the craft away from radar navigation make compliance impracticable.

Wake:
The disturbed column of water around and behind a moving pleasure craft which is set into motion by the passage of a pleasure craft.

Wash:
The loose or broken water left behind a pleasure craft as it moves along and includes the water thrown aft by the propeller.

Abaft:
A direction toward the stern.

Astern:
A direction or position pointing behind a pleasure craft.

Draft:
The depth of water which a pleasure craft requires to float freely.

Light Winds:
Winds with speeds less than 12 knots as defined by Environment Canada.

Moderate Winds:
Wind speeds in the range of 12 to 19 knots as defined by Environment Canada.

Operator:
The person in effective charge and control of a pleasure craft and who is responsible for the pleasure craft.

Starboard:
The right side of a pleasure craft looking forward.

Stern:
The after part of a pleasure craft.

Strong Winds:
Sustained wind speeds in the range of 20 to 33 knots as defined by Environment Canada.