Oakum: Material used for caulking the seams of vessels and made from the loose fibers of old hemp rope.
Off and on: Standing toward the land and off again alternately.
Officer of the watch: The officer in charge of the watch.
Oil bag: A bag filled with oil and triced over the side for making a slick in a rough sea (to keep
seas from breaking).
Oilskin: Waterproof clothing.
Old man: The captain of the ship.
On report: In trouble.
On soundings: Said of a vessel when the depth of water can be measured by the lead (within the 100 fathom curve).
Ordinary seaman: The beginning grade for members of the deck department. The next step is able bodied seaman.
Out of trim: Not properly trimmed or ballasted (not on even keel; listing).
Outboard: Towards the sides of the vessel (with reference to the centerline).
Over-all: The extreme deck fore and aft measurement of a vessel.
Overhang: The projection of the stern beyond the sternpost and of the bow beyond the stem.
Overhaul: Get gear in condition for use; to separate the blocks of a tackle to lengthen the fall (ready for use again).
Overtaking: Said of a vessel when she is passing or overtaking another vessel.
Pad eye: A metal eye permanently secured to a deck or bulkhead (for mooring any blocks and tackle).
Painter: A short piece of rope secured in the bow of a small boat used for making her fast.
Palm and needle: A seaman’s sewing outfit for heavy work.
Part: To break.
Pass a line: To reeve and secure a line.
Pass a stopper: To reeve and secure a stopper (hold a strain on a line while transferring it).
Pass down the line: Relay to all others in order (a signal repeated from one ship to the next astern in column).
Pass the word: To repeat an order for information to the crew.
Pay off: To turn the bow away from the wind; to pay the crew.
Pay out: To slack out a line made fast on board (let it out slowly).
Pay: To fill the seams of a vessel with pitch.
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