Lifeline

A wire or rope rigged on stanchions around the edge of the deck to help prevent crew from falling overboard.

Test your knowledge

Know your nautical terms? Play the free SkipperCheck daily maritime quiz — COLREGs, navigation, VHF radio, seamanship. Earn points, climb the global leaderboard.

Play the Daily Quiz →

Related L-terms

Lazy sheet

The jib sheet on the windward side that is slack while the leeward sheet takes the load.

Lay

To sail a course that will clear a mark or obstacle without an additional tack.

Lash

To bind or secure with line or webbing.

Leeward

The side or direction away from the wind — where the wind is blowing toward.

Line

The generic term at sea for any rope in use.

Lifesling

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

← Back to full glossary