slow bell down swell

English translation: slow speed away from the waves

15:52 Feb 24, 2011
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Law/Patents - Ships, Sailing, Maritime / phrase in a report written by a Coast Guard officer
English term or phrase: slow bell down swell
Good day.
I don’t understand the meaning of this phrase, can someone explain it to me?



PS: Here, TOI means “the object of interest”, and refers to the suspected vessel.
Many thanks in advance,
Manuel
Manuel Cedeño Berrueta
Local time: 06:40
Selected answer:slow speed away from the waves
Explanation:
I think the word "bell" derives from the Engine Order Telegraph (see 1st link), which rang a bell when transmitting commands to change speed. It doesn´t mean that the TOI actually had one, but the author uses the expression when referring to vessel speed.

"down swell" means to go in the same direction as the waves, which were 6-8' high. As the context explains, Coxwain ordered this to keep the crew drier and make the movement of the boats easier. A boat going "down swell" is no longer battling agains the waves, and also will roll a lot less than a boat going across the direction of the waves.
Selected response from:

Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 07:40
Grading comment
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4slow speed away from the waves
Martin Riordan


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
slow speed away from the waves


Explanation:
I think the word "bell" derives from the Engine Order Telegraph (see 1st link), which rang a bell when transmitting commands to change speed. It doesn´t mean that the TOI actually had one, but the author uses the expression when referring to vessel speed.

"down swell" means to go in the same direction as the waves, which were 6-8' high. As the context explains, Coxwain ordered this to keep the crew drier and make the movement of the boats easier. A boat going "down swell" is no longer battling agains the waves, and also will roll a lot less than a boat going across the direction of the waves.



    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_order_telegraph
Martin Riordan
Brazil
Local time: 07:40
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 11
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Martin. Another colleague explained to me that “bell curve” refers to the statistical term (<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bell+curve>), which is applied to waves. Many thanks for your help. Manuel

Asker: <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bell+curve>

Asker: Thank you, Martin.

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