of the rowers. Above the rowers was a distinctive raised platform () made of bamboo where warriors (timawa) and other passengers stood, so as to avoid interfering with the rowers. This platform can be covered by an awning of woven palm leaves (, Spanish: ) during hot days or when it rains, protecting the crew and cargo. Karakoa lacked a central rudder and was instead steered by large oars controlled by the nakhoda (helmsman) seated in a covered structure near the back of the ship. These oars could be raised at a moment's notice to avoid obstructions like shallow reefs. The hull was connected to the outrigger structure, which was composed of the S-shaped crosswise outrigger spars (tadik) attached to the outrigger floats ( or ) at water level. The provided stability and additional buoyancy, preventing the boat from capsizing even when the hull is entirely flooded with water. The , like the hull itself, curve upwards at both ends, minimizing drag and preventing rolling. were usually made with large bamboo poles traditionally fire hardened and bent with heat. In between the and the hull was another lengthwise beam called the . This served as the support structure for two additional on either side of the boat called the , as well as additional seating for rowers called . can reach up to in length. Very large can seat up to a hundred rowers on each side and dozens warriors on the . Vessels of this size were usually royal flagships and were (inaccurately) referred to by the Spanish as or (sing. , Spanish for "junk", native or ). Sea raiding were an integral part of the traditional sea raiding () of Filipino thalassocracies. They were maritime expeditions (usually seasonal) against enemy villages for the purposes of gaining prestige through combat, taking plunder, and capturing slaves or hostages (sometimes brides). Before a raid, Visayans performed a ceremony called the , where the prow and the keel of the karakoa warships were smeared with blood drawn from a captured member of the target enemy settlement. Karakoa and attending smaller ships usually raid in fleets called an . A fast scout ship, called a (lit. "visitor") or , is usually sent in advance of the . If intercepted by defending enemy ships, karakoa can engage in ship-to-ship battles called . The pursuit of enemy ships is called . Warriors aboard karakoas were