Nautical Notes from the SF Bay

Bay Bridge

The trusses on the Bay Bridge are named in order starting from San Francisco:
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot (Alcatraz)

Nautical Terms:

• Bow - Front of a boat.
  
• Stern - Rear of a boat.
  
• Starboard - Right side of a boat.
  
• Port - Left side of a boat.
  
• Fore - To the front of a boat.
  
• Aft - To the rear of a boat.
  
• Lines - Ropes used to tie a boat to the dock.
  
• Cleats - Fitting on boats and docks to which lines are tied.
  
• Bow Line - Line in the front of the boat.
  
• Spring Line - Line in the middle of the boat.
  
• Stern Line - Line in the rear of the boat.
  
• Fender - Buoy that placed between the boat and the dock.
  
• Shore Power - Electrical line that is connected to a boat to give it power when the boat's generators are not running.
  
• Generator Power - Generators on a boat to provide power for the vessel.

Nautical Notes:

• Running Lights are red and green. The red light is on the port side of a boat and the green light is on the starboard side. When passing another boat at night the running lights allow you to see which side of the other boat you are facing when it is far away.