Glossary

A listing of terms and definitions of things mentioned in this site.

Maritime Mobile Radio Service

Email received this way was delivered by an HF (High Frequency) private coast station in the Maritime Mobile Radio Service, operated by the SailMail Association, a non-profit association of yacht owners. For more information on this service or on the SailMail Association, please see the web site at: http://www.sailmail.com.  Basically the email is sent by connecting the laptop to a modem which interfaces with the SSB (Single Side Band) Marine radio transceiver. The radio is used to communicate with an automated land based station which then forwards the email over the Internet. Very cool!

Drogue

The drogue is streamed or trailed from stern of the vessel. Its purpose is to slow the boat down to reduce the speed to something more manageable while still heading in the desired direction. Drogue designs range from long lengths of line, old tires or parachute type devices. All involve dragging something that provides resistance in the water on long lengths of line. 

Jacklines

Lines that are tied usually on or close to the deck between the bow and the stern. They are used as safety lines. When the crew leaves the protection of the cockpit they clip a short tether line attached to their safety harness to the jackline to prevent them from being able to fall overboard but still allowing free movement around the deck.

Chubasco and Baja Nets

Amateur Radio (Ham) networks that specialize in bringing sailors together to share information. The nets (short for networks) are totally volunteer run as is all aspects of Amateur Radio. They allow sailors to contact each other as well as stations on land and share information about cruising, weather, destinations etc.

Panga

A smallish Mexican fishing/work boat (pronounced 'pahn-gah').