PAINTER - A line attached to the bow of a boat, often a dinghy or canoe and used to tie it up or tow it.

PAPA - Letter P in the Marine Radio Alphabet.

PIER - A loading platform extending at an angle from the shore.

PILE - A wood, metal or concrete pole driven into the bottom. Craft may be made fast to a pile; it may be used to support a pier (see PILING) or a float.

PILING - Support, protection for wharves, piers etc.; constructed of piles (see PILE)

PILOTING - Navigation by use of visible references, the depth of the water, etc.

PLANING - A marine vessel is said to be planing when it is essentially moving over the top of the water rather than through the water.

PLANING HULL - A type of hull shaped to glide easily across the water at high speed.

PORT - The left side of a marine vessel looking forward. A harbor.

PRIVELEGED VESSEL - A vessel which, according to the applicable Navigation Rule, has right-of-way (this term has been superseded by the term "stand-on").