Naval Terminology

Did you know that the Navy has a different word for almost everything in a ship? For example, if you heard “cast off the bow line” in a ship would you know to “throw the front rope”? We have adopted this unique terminology for use in the Sea Cadet program. When we parade with our corps, we parade in a “ship” and the following terms are probably used. These are the only ones you have to know. Your corps may have more:

Gash-can is the garbage can.

Stand easy is a break.

Secure is to close up, put away gear.

Duty watch is a division selected on a rotational basis to look after corps preparation and clean up.

Heads are the toilets.

Out pipes are a pipe indicating the commencement of classes or the end of stand easy.

Scran locker is the lost and found.

A pipe is a sound produced from the boatswain call, the notes played have a specific meaning.

Colours is the ceremony of hoisting the national colours, usually in the morning or at the beginning of the training day.

Liberty boat is when all cadets are dismissed for the day and may go ashore.

Bulkhead is a wall.

Deck is a floor.

Ship's company is the complement of a ship (this would include a Sea Cadet Corps).

Sunset is the ceremony of lowering the national colours at the end of the training day.

Gangway is any recognized entrance to, or a passageway, or traffic route within a ship.

Galley is the ship's kitchen.

Boatswain’s stores is a storeroom for cleaning gear.

Pipe down is an order meaning to keep quiet.

Kye is a hot chocolate drink.

Coxswain is the senior Petty Officer in a ship.

Belay is to make fast a rope; or to cancel an order, as in 'Belay that'.

Aye aye ma'am/sir means 'order understood and I will obey,' an appropriate response to an order from an officer.