Glossary Archive

Flaps which can be pushed up or down to adjust the angles of the bow and heel on a motor vessel

Trinity House is a maritime organisation responsible for maintaining navigational aids, including lighthouses and buoys, along England, Wales, and the Channel Islands coasts. It also covers navigational aids in Gibraltar. The British organisation is dedicated to ensuring the safety of shipping and seafarers' welfare. Officially known as the Corporation of Trinity House, it was established...

A tropical hurricane is an intense tropical cyclone characterised by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low pressure. These storms typically form over warm ocean waters near the equator and can cause significant damage to coastal areas when they make landfall. Tropical hurricanes are classified based on wind speeds, with categories ranging from 1 (weakest) to...

True North refers to the geographic direction towards the Earth’s geographic North Pole. The direction along the Earth’s surface points directly towards the North Pole, regardless of any magnetic variations or deviations. True North is used as a reference point for navigation and is important for determining precise locations and directions at sea.

The wind created by the current weather system without impact of a vessels movement

A navigation system designed to organise the flow of vessel traffic in congested or high-risk areas, ensuring safe passage by separating opposing traffic streams. A Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is a regulatory measure established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime safety in areas where vessel traffic is dense or where there is...

Estimated time remaining to a waypoint giving an indication of arrival time

When a rope passes around an object, such as a post, when tying a knot.

A time zone is a region of the Earth where the same standard time is used. A time zone is a geographical area that observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes. The Earth is divided into 24 primary time zones, each generally corresponding to 15 degrees of longitude, reflecting the Earth's...

The International Maritime Signal Flag Uniform. Meaning You are running into danger.