Life raft

A self-inflating, canister- or valise-packed survival craft launched in an abandon-ship situation; modern ISO-standard rafts carry water, flares, a sea anchor, and other survival gear.

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Related L-terms

Lull

A short-lived dip in wind speed.

Leech

The aft edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

Lifesling

A buoyant horseshoe-shaped sling on a floating line, deployed to trail astern during a man…

Lazarette

A stowage locker let into the cockpit sole, seats, or afterdeck.

Laminate sail

A sail made of composite panels — typically film-over-fibre (e.g. Dacron, polyester, Kevla…

Lubber line

A fixed reference line on a compass card housing that represents the boat's heading, read …

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