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NANTUCKET SLEIGH-RIDE - A whaleboat towed out of control by a harpooned whale

NAUTICAL MILE - Distance at sea is measured in nautical miles, which are about 6067.12 feet, 1.15 statute miles or exactly 1852 meters. Nautical miles have the unique property that a minute of latitude is equal to one nautical mile (there is a slight error because the earth is not perfectly round.) Measurement of speed is done in knots where one knot equals one nautical mile per hour. A statute mile is used to measure distances on land in the United States and is 5280 feet.

NAVIGABLE - An area with sufficient depth of water to permit vessel passage.

NAVIGATION - The art and science of conducting a boat safely from one point to another.

NAVIGATION RULES - The regulations governing the movement of vessels in relation to each other, generally called steering and sailing rules.

NET TONNAGE - Vessels measurement of cargo carrying capacity.

NIPPED - Said of a vessel when pressed by ice on both sides.

NORTHEASTER - A stormy wind with waves from the northeast. Also spelled nor'easter.

NOTICE TO MARINERS – A government publication that contains all corrections and additions to information relating to navigable waterways

NUN BUOY - Red tapered navigation buoy.