Glossary Archive

The RYA Start Yachting course is a two-day introduction to the basics of yacht sailing. Participants learn steering, sail handling, and onboard safety procedures. This hands-on course provides a taste of life at sea and serves as an excellent starting point for further qualifications. By the end, participants will have a basic understanding of sailing...

A unit of distance equivalent to 5,280 feet or 1,609.34 meters. It is commonly used on land but is sometimes used in inland waterways. In recreational marine contexts, the statute mile is occasionally used to measure distances, particularly inland lakes, rivers, and canals, where land-based measurements are more relevant than nautical miles. A statute mile...

Part of the standing rigging which provides support fore-and-aft

A global agreement established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to ensure seafarers are properly trained, certified, and competent to perform their duties on board ships. The STCW Convention was first adopted in 1978 and came into force in 1984, marking the first time minimum international standards for seafarers' training, certification, and watchkeeping were established....

Instruction given to the helmsman to keep the boat on her present course

Alternative name for a masthead light

The compass permanently mounted adjacent to the helmsman which he uses as a reference to keep the boat on a given course    

A mechanical device used in steering systems on boats, consisting of a quadrant-shaped gear connected to the rudder to control the direction of the vessel.  A steering quadrant is a component of a boat's steering system, translating the movement of the steering wheel into a turning motion of the rudder. It is typically attached to...

The foremost part of a ship or boat. The stem is a component of a ship or boat's structure, located at the very front, or bow. It is the part of the boat that first cuts through the water as the boat moves forward. The stem is typically a long, curved piece of timber or...

The rear or aft-most part of a vessel. The stern is a critical part of any boat or ship, as it is the section located at the very back of the vessel, opposite the bow (the front). Historically, the stern was often ornately decorated, especially on older sailing ships, but in modern vessels, it is...