D
Deck
The surface on the top of a boat on which people can stand.
depth sounder
An instrument that uses sound waves to measure the distance to the bottom.
Dinghy, dink
1) A small boat used to travel from a boat to shore, carrying people or supplies. Also known as a tender.
2) The act of using a dinghy.
Distress signals
Any signal that is used to indicate that a vessel is in distress. Flares, smoke, audible alarms and electronic beacons are types of distress signals.
Dock
1) Any platform where vessels can make fast. The act of securing a boat in such a place. Docks are often subdivided into smaller areas for docking known as slips.
2) The act of entering a dock.
Draft
1) The depth of a boat, measured from the deepest point to the waterline. The water must be at least this depth, or the boat will run aground.
2) A term describing the amount of curvature designed into a sail.
Dragging
Description of an anchor that is not securely fastened to the bottom and moves.
Dry dock
A dock where a boat can be worked on out of the water. The boat is usually sailed into a dry dock, and then the water is pumped out.