meaning: deck ahoy!

[lukre]

What is the meaning of the exclamation: Deck ahoy!

-calling the people on deck
-indicating that there is a ship ("deck") in sight
-or something else?

Thanx a lot!

[Anglika]

Without context, it probably means that a person on shore is trying to catch the attention of a person on a boat. It is usually regarded as very impolite to go aboard a boat without being invited.

[lukre]

Context -pirate, high in a crow's nest observes the sea and yells to the other pirates -deck ahoy, the enemy is 3 points to starboard.

I persume he calls for their attention, and that deck actully means "people on deck" but I'm not sure.

[Anglika]

Thanks for the context and I would agree with your interpretation - he is trying to get the attention of the people on the deck of the ship.

[lukre]

Thank you very much!