Lifesling

A buoyant horseshoe-shaped sling on a floating line, deployed to trail astern during a man-overboard recovery so the casualty can be reached and hauled alongside.

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Related L-terms

Lazy sheet

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

Line

The generic term at sea for any rope in use.

Lay

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

Lee helm

A boat's tendency to turn her bow away from the wind if the helm is released — generally u…

Lee shore

Shoreline lying downwind of the boat; a hazard because the wind will steadily push a disab…

Lull

A short-lived dip in wind speed.

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