Careening

Definition

Beaching a wooden vessel and laying her on her side to scrape, clean, and re-tar the hull. Without a graving dock, careening was the only way to remove the marine growth that accumulated below the waterline in tropical waters and that, untreated, reduced sailing speed to the point at which a pirate vessel became unable to catch its prey. Pirate companies typically careened their flagship every three or four months, and the choice of careening anchorage — usually a remote, shallow cay with fresh water nearby — was a strategic consideration of the highest order.