Dinghy: A small boat, often towed behind a larger vessel for use as a ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore boat.
Djöfullinn: Icelandic for demon or devil.
Dopamine: A neurotransmitter in the brain whose neural pathways govern both reward-based behavior and motor control.
Dorsal: The upper side of an animal that swims in a horizontal position. The dorsal region refers to that general area on the animal. Dorsal fin refers to one or more fins that protrude from that region, i.e. a shark’s distinctive, curved fin.
Draft (or Draught): The measurement from a vessel’s waterline to the bottom of its hull. Draft determines the minimum water depth a ship or boat requires in order to navigate safely.
Dromaeosaurs: An extinct group of small to medium-sized carnivorous dinosaurs, popularly known as raptors.
Echolocation: In marine animals, the emission of sonar sound waves and the absorption of their echoes to “see” underwater.
Economic Exclusive Zone: An EEZ is a sea zone over which a country has specific rights relating to the exploration and exploitation of its natural resources. It stretches from the end of said country’s territorial waters (the 12 mile limit) an additional 200 nautical miles.
Electronic Iridophore: An artificial type of chromatophore with reflective/iridescent properties.
Electroreceptor: One of a group of organs on mainly marine organisms that allow them to perceive and detect electrical stimuli.
Enchodus petrosus: Binomial nomenclature for a Cretaceous-era, predatory salmonid that escaped Diablo Caldera. Enchodus are known as the “Sabertooth salmon” of “Sabertooth herring” and have large eyes and long fangs. Maximum length: six feet.
Ensign: Naval rank, equivalent to a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Epidemiology: The study of infectious diseases in defined populations.
ESA: The Endangered Species Act.
Eschrichtius robustus: Binomial nomenclature for the Gray whale. Gray whales can reach 50 feet in length and weigh in excess of 40 tons.
Fafnir: A powerful dragon from Norse mythology, eventually slain by Sigurd.
Fathometer: Passive sonar system that substitutes ambient sounds generated by surface waves and biologics to create a 3-D map of the seabed and surrounding water. Instead of using an active sonar projector, the fathometer utilizes beam-forming and a vertical array of hydrophones to cross-correlate noise from the surface with its echoes from the seabed, thereby reducing interference from horizontally propagating noise.
Fenris: A monstrous wolf from Norse mythology that bit of the hand of Tyr, god of war. During the battle of Ragnarok Fenris kills Odin, the ruler of the gods.
Flagorneur: French for a groveling toady or sycophant.
Flats Boat: A small draft boat designed to safely run and operate in extremely shallow bodies of water, such as the Florida Keys.
Flying Gaff: A specialized gaff designed to land very large fish. The hook portion of the gaff detaches when embedded in a fish and remains secured to the boat by a strong cable or rope.
Fore: The front or bow of a ship or boat.
Foredeck: The bow portion of a ship’s deck.
Forecastle: The foremost portion of a ship’s upper deck. In medieval ships it served as a defensive stronghold where archers could rain fire down upon opposing vessels.
Galley: The kitchen on a ship or boat.
Gangplank: A moveable construct, often formed of strong planks, which bridges the distance between a ship and its mooring station. It enables the loading and offloading of goods and personnel.
GDT: Acronym for Grayson Defense Technologies, one of the largest manufactures of military weapons, pharmaceuticals, and robotics on the planet. GDT both bankrolls and directs the newly formed Coastal Defense Force (CDF).
Gen-1: A member of a first or initial generation.
Gimbal: The receiving point (socket) of a big-game fishing fighting belt or chair. The butt of the fishing rod inserts into this point and can swivel up and down to exert pressure on fish.
Gin Pole: A strong, vertical pole or tower, equipped with an extending arm and pulley system. Gin poles are used on fishing vessels to hoist very large fish onboard.
Gladius: Also called cuttlebone. A hard internal shell found in cuttlefish and squid that gives the body rigidity.
Glycoproteins: Integral cellular membrane proteins that play a role in cell-to-cell interactions.
Gunnels/Gunwales: The uppermost/top edges of a ship or boat’s hull.
Gryphon: A powerful mythical creature in Greek mythology, said to have the head and wings (and sometimes forelimbs) of an eagle and the body of a lion. Alternative spelling: Griffin.
Harbormaster: The official that enforces the regulations of a particular port or harbor.
Hazmat: Short for hazardous materials.
Helm: A ship’s wheel or other steering mechanism (tiller, steering wheel, etc.).
Helmsman: The individual that steers a ship or boat.
Hvalur: Icelandic for whale.
Hydrophone: An underwater microphone.
Hydrostatic Pressure: The pressure exerted by water due to the effects of gravity.
Hyperion: one of the monstrous Titans from Greek mythology.
Idling: When a boat sits idle with its engine running (in neutral). Idle boats tend to drift as a result of wind and tide.
Intermittent Transients: Hard to track and sporadic radar or sonar readings, usually indicative of a shielded (military) craft.
Isopod: A group of oval-shaped, segmented crustaceans that inhabit land, fresh and saltwater environments. Scavenging abyssal isopods can exceed 20 inches in length.
Kaiju: Japanese for strange beast.
Kauhuhu: The ancient Hawaiian’s shark god of Molokai.
Knot: A nautical unit of speed equivalent to one nautical mile per hour, or about 1.151 mph.
Koshka: Russian word for a female cat.
Kraken: A mythological marine monster said to feed on whales and drag ships to their destruction. The Kraken is believed to be based on early sailors’ encounters with the giant squid.
Kronosaurus imperator: Binomial nomenclature (“Ruler of God of Time Reptiles”) for a giant species of pliosaur imprisoned in Diablo Caldera during the KT/Yucatan impact. Males can exceed 60 feet in length, females 80. The species is based on fragmentary fossil remains, including tooth marks on the Mexican pliosaur known as the “Monster of Aramberri,” that indicate a creature with a potential tooth crown length of twelve inches.
Kronosaurus queenslandicus: Binomial nomenclature for a mid-sized species of pliosaur from the Cretaceous Period. K. Queenslandicus had rounded fangs, as opposed to the ridged teeth of Pliosaurus, and fed upon plesiosaurs, sea turtles, fish and squid. Size estimate is 33 feet with a weight of 12 tons.
Landing: A designated docking location for vessels at a marina.
Lanyard: A length or cord used to carry something and worn around the neck or wrist. Safety lanyards on boats and Jet Skis function as kill switches and shut down the vessel’s engine in the event the pilot falls overboard.
Lazarus Taxon: A species that vanishes from the fossil record, only to reappear later.
Lexan: A clear thermoplastic/polycarbonate, known for its strength and durability.
Livyatan: An extinct raptorial sperm whale that lived during the Miocene Epoch.
LRIT: Long Range Intelligence and Tracking. An international system of tracking ships using shipborne satellite communication equipment.
Macropliosaur: One of the giant species of pliosaur.
Macropredator: A large predator.
Malacologist: One who studies mollusks.
Mandible: One of a pair (mandibles) of bones in the mouth that comprise the lower jaw.
Mandibular Symphysis: Where the two lower jaw bones (mandibles) fuse together.
Manifest: A document listing the passengers, crew, and cargo of a vessel for official purposes.
Marguerite Formation: A defensive formation ut
ilized by sperm whales and other cetaceans to defend their young. The adults encircle the vulnerable calves, typically with either their flukes or jaws pointed outward, in an attempt to ward off attackers.
MarshCat: A six-wheeled, amphibious ATV developed by GDT and used in the CDF’s top-secret Tartarus research facility. MarshCats have sturdy roll bars, front row bucket seats, a rear bench seat that accommodates three, and are powered by a 90 hp diesel engine.
Maxilla: One of a pair (maxillae) of bones in the mouth that comprise the upper jaw and palate.
MHD Propulsors: Magneto Hydrodynamic Drive Propulsors are marine-based thrust generators typically used in submarines that utilize electrified water as a propellant to drive a vessel in the opposite direction. MHD Drives are powerful and silent and have few moving parts.
Midgard Serpent: Also known as Jörmungandr and the World Serpent, a gigantic sea serpent from Norse mythology, said to be so huge it could encircle the earth and could bite its own tail. It was Thor’s nemesis and during the final battle of Ragnarok was killed by the Thunder God. Thor then perished in the resultant flood of venom that spewed from the dying beast’s mouth.
Minke Whale: A lesser Rorqual and the second smallest baleen whale, averaging 23-26 feet in length and weighing 4-5 tons.
Mollusk: A large phylum of invertebrate animals, including gastropods (snails and slugs) and cephalopods (octopus and squid).
Mizzen: A mast on a sailing ship; the Mizzen-mast is the mast immediately aft (behind) the main mast. It is typically shorter.
Mooring: A permanent structure where a boat or ship may be moored (attached) such as a dock or jetty.
Mooring Line: Line of rope used to tie off or affix a boat or ship.
Mooring Station: An assigned location where a boat or ship is to be attached or tied off.
Mosasaur: A group of extinct marine lizards that died out at the end of the Cretaceous. The largest mosasaurs reached 60 feet in length and weighed 30 tons.
Nares: Nostrils.
Nematodes: Roundworms.
Neveroyatno: Russian word for unbelievable.
NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Norepinephrine: A chemical in the brain that functions as a hormone and neurotransmitter.
Notothenioid Fish: A group of Antarctic icefish, known for antifreeze proteins in their blood. They have no red blood cells; hence their blood appears as a clear, viscous liquid.
Oceanus: A fictional Florida marine park, named after Oceanus, the Greek god of the sea.
Octopus giganteus: A species of gigantic cephalopod, believed to inhabit the ocean’s extreme depths. The remains of one reported specimen were calculated to have had a tentacular span of 200 feet.
OMNI ADCAP Sonar: A hull/bow mounted (spherical) ADCAP (Advanced Capabilities) active sonar system using medium frequency broadband clicks to provide all-around coverage. Almost impossible to detect and includes active search and attack capabilities.
Ophion’s Deep: A Cretaceous-era submarine canyon named after the Greek God Ophion. It starts in the Straits of Florida and carves its way 125 miles along Florida’s Continental Rise.
Outboard: A non-integral and removable propulsion system for boats. Outboard motors attach directly to the transom. Multiple motors can be used for larger boats, with horsepower typically ranging from single digits all the way to three hundred or more.
Papillae (singular Papilla): A nipple or cuticle-like structure.
Pectoral Fin(s): Paired fins in fish that provide dynamic lifting force, enabling some fish to maintain depth.
Peduncle: In fish and cetaceans, the narrow portion of the body where the tail (caudal fin or flukes) attaches to the body.
Pelagic: The portion of the ocean that is neither near the bottom nor close to shore.
Phalanx Anti-Missile Battery: A shipboard anti-aircraft/anti-missile Gatling gun system.
Pheromones: An excreted or secreted chemical that triggers a response in members of the same species.
Phototropic Zone: Also known as the Photic Zone, the upper portion of a body of water where sunlight is the primary stimulus for growth and nourishment – typically from the surface down to around 600 feet. 90% of all marine life lives in the Phototropic Zone.
Physeter macrocephalus: Binomial nomenclature (Latin) for the sperm whale.
Pinnipeds: Seals and sea lions.
Pixilated: An image breaking up into visible pixels, typically a distortion when enlarged.
Plankton: Tiny organisms that live in the water column. Plankton are incapable of swimming against either tide or current. They are an important food source for many marine organisms.
Plastron: The almost flat underbelly/ventral portion of a turtle’s shell.
Pliosaur: A group of plesiosaurs characterized by short necks and large skulls, armed with sharp teeth. Pliosaurs were fast and maneuverable swimmers and the apex predators of their day.
Pod: A group of whales. Unlike a school of fish, pod members are often related individuals.
Polybenzimidazole (PBI): Also known as “Celazole,” it is a space-age polymer/polycarbonate thermoplastic, reported to have the highest compressive strength of any unfilled plastic material.
Polycarbonate: A group of thermoplastic polymers known for their toughness and durability. Some polycarbonates are engineered to be optically transparent.
Port: Direction-wise, turning a boat or ship to the left. Portside = the left side of a boat or ship.
Portcullis: A sturdy steel or iron gate with a row of sharpened spikes at the bottom that is lowered to protect or reinforce a castle’s gates or drawbridge.
Porthole: A round window on a boat or ship.
POSEIDON M45: Advanced passive fathometer sonar system (see Fathometer) using wide aperture arrays and hydrophone complexes set on submarine hulls. Arrays are set both port and starboard. The Poseidon relays readings into a detailed 3D image on the bridge. The system has no sonar projector or active emissions and is impossible to detect. Its only weakness is its limitations in shallow water (waves bounce too repeatedly, reducing range) and under silty conditions (i.e. excessive detritus) which can “blind” it.
Poulpe Colossal: French for Colossal Octopus.
Proboscideans: Modern day elephants and their extinct relatives.
Prop: A boat or ship’s propeller.
Proteus: A shape-shifting sea beast from Greek mythology. Proteus could foretell the future, but the creature answered only to someone capable of overpowering it.
Prow: The foremost portion of a ship’s bow. The prow cuts through the water and is the portion of the bow above the waterline.
Ragnarok: Translated as the “Twilight of the Gods,” Ragnarok represents an apocalyptic battle between the Norse gods and the forces of evil, including the Frost giants and an assortment of inhuman monsters. All major figures perish in the battle, with mankind rising from the ashes.
REAPER: Acronym for: Rail Energized Armor Piercing Electromagnetic Repulsion gun: a close-range submarine-based weapon that fires kinetic energy projectiles using electricity instead of chemical propellants. Powerful electrical currents generated by the sub’s reactor create magnetic fields that accelerate a sliding metal conductor between rails lining the barrel. When fired, the conductor launches a projectile at over 5,000 mph. To power the weapon, electricity is allowed to build over several seconds in the pulsed power system. It is then sent through the rail gun as a powerful surge of energy, creating an electromagnetic force accelerating a 2,000 lb. tungsten projectile to nearly Mach 8. The kinetic energy generated exceeds 600 megajoules: equivalent to a 100 ton locomotive striking a target at 250 mph. In order to protect both the weapon and its host vessel during sustained firing, a thermal management system is required for both the launcher and the pulsed power system.
Remora Mini-Sub: A sleek, 4-person submersible designed and manufactured by Grayson Defense Technologies. The Remora is a fast and highly maneuverable vessel powered by pump jet propulsor
s. Based on original designs by JAW Robotics, it attaches directly to the outside of an ORION-Class submarine via its airlock and remains flush to the hull until detached.
Roman Gladius: The standard-issue sword of Roman foot soldiers. Length: 24-33 inches.
Romulus and Remus: Twin brothers and the mythological founders of Rome, they were purportedly suckled by a she-wolf.
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