Known to be royalty at sea, whales have certain qualities that make them truly unique creatures. Understanding them is a task that one must undertake in order to realize their significance in the world’s ecosystem.Not to be confused with fish, whales are actually mammals like humans and as a result, they are warm-blooded and they feed their young with milk from their mammary glands. For survival, whales inhale air through an opening at the top of their heads known as a blowhole. The location of the blowhole allows the whale to stay submerged while breathing. They release excess water and this forms a spout that can be used to determine the species of whale. Whales have thick bodies that are insulated by a layer of fat known as the blubber. Like other mammals and vertebrates, they have a spinal column and a heart consisting of four chambers. Their necks provide […]
The Definitive Automotive Dictionary provided by Action Auto and Boat Donation Services:Amorphous silicon – Used in a variety of electronics. A non-crystalline form of silicon that can be laid in thin layers of film to produce photovoltaic cells, it can be used on plastic substrates and metal.Ampere-hour – A measurement of a unit of electrical charge of current, over a specific period of time, usually used to find the strength of a battery.Amp/hr. rating – The measuring of current to determine the ability of a battery. The higher the amp, the stronger the batteryAmplifier – Used in auto radio systems, to produce a greater electrical signal, by increasing the electron flow in a vacuum or electric circuit.Air Management Unit (AMU) – Located in a chassis cross-member and using the multiplex electrical system, it is pressure switches put together in such a way as to control the pneumatic accessory functions of a […]
The exhilarating experience of sailing carries with it its own collection of terminology. Whether a person is a beginner, or a seasoned sailor, it is important to acquire a vocabulary of sailing terms. Learning sailing maneuvers and the different parts of a boat are just two of the ways that a person prepares for sailing. An individual who is comfortable with sailing terminology is likely to have more confidence when it comes to safely guiding a boat and can easily convey correct information to others in the event on an emergency. This collection of sailing terminology is provided by Action Boat and Yacht Donation services.Abeam– The area at a right angle beside a boat aligned with the center of the boat.Aboard– When something or someone is on or in a boat.Above Deck– When someone is on deck and not in a cabin underneath.Aft– Refers to the back area of a […]
By the 14th century, the construction of sailing ships really began to take off. As countries decided to expand their borders, they needed ships to carry people to distant lands and the ships they had at the time were inadequate. So they began building new types of ships.The History of Sailing Ships: An interactive tour detailing how sailing ships evolved.SailHistory: Discusses ships as well as rigging, sails, and anchors.The Two Masted ShipBy the year 1200, most sailing ships had two masts. The main mast was always the tallest and the mast in front of it was known as the foremast. Two-masted ship always had full square rigging, and the masts were known as main-masts and mizzen-masts. Types of two-masted ships include schooners, brigs, and yowls.Two Masted Ship: The Encyclopedia Britannica has a history of ship development and some information on two-masted ships.The CarrackIn the 15th century, the Portuguese developed a […]
“Maritime” is a broad term that refers to various things that are related to the sea, including seafaring, ocean harvesting, shipbuilding, shipping, sailing, and other activities that take place at the sea. According to evidence found in Australia, the earliest known maritime voyages may have taken place about 45,000 years ago, but human beings have been harvesting from the sea since time immemorial. Throughout the years, maritime technology has improved by leaps and bounds, and this has enabled humans to make the most of the oceans, for commercial, cultural, recreational, as well as military purposes.Merriam-Webster: Definition of the word “maritime”Wikipedia – Maritime History: Detailed information about maritime historyBBC History: Detailed information about the history of marine navigationWikipedia – Sailing: Comprehensive information on sailingSailing.org: Official website of the International Sailing FederationSailnet.com: World’s largest online sailing community, with discussions about sailing, boats, purchase and sale of boats, donate a boat, boat maintenance, […]