Glossary Archive

Beaufort Scale - Force 10 (Storm Force 10) A storm is a weather phenomenon characterised by strong winds, reaching at least 48 knots (55 miles per hour or 88 kilometres per hour). Storms can also bring heavy rain, rough seas, and turbulent weather conditions. In maritime forecasts, storms are often categorised based on wind speed...

Small heavy jib set in strong winds

A compact cooking appliance or heating device, often found aboard vessels, used for preparing meals or warming the cabin.  The stove primarily refers to a small, often gimballed cooking appliance designed for use aboard boats. These stoves are typically fuelled by propane, alcohol, or kerosene and are engineered to remain functional and safe even in...

To put away in an appropriate place.  Being stowed implies that something has been safely stored and lashed down to stop if from moving when at sea.

The velocity at which a vessel moves relative to the water it is travelling through, excluding the effects of current or tidal flow. Speed through water refers to the rate at which a vessel progresses through the water itself, as opposed to its speed over the ground, which includes the influence of currents and tides....

Large buoys, generally more than 5 m in diameter, are distinguished on charts because their unusually large size renders them a potential hazard to navigation, even to large vessels. Superbuoys are also referred to as - ODAS [Ocean Data Acquisition System]. These buoys are often used in oceanographic research, environmental monitoring, and navigation assistance. Key...

Electronic navigation standards for commercial vessels less than 24m . Equipment meeting the requirements of this performance standard is accepted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a suitable arrangement which satisfies the chart carriage requirements stipulated within SOLAS Chapter V/19 for vessels for which MGN 319 (as amended) applies. This standard is not accepted...

A narrow channel between shoals

The area around a vessel at anchor where it can safely swing with changes in wind or tide without risk of collision or grounding. Swinging room is a critical consideration for anchoring a vessel, as it refers to the circular space a boat requires to pivot around its anchor due to shifting winds, currents, or...

A large, lightweight, balloon-shaped sail used when sailing downwind, designed with identical halves to allow it to be flown on either side of the boat using a spinnaker pole. A symmetric spinnaker is a type of downwind sail commonly used on sailing yachts to maximise speed and efficiency when the wind is coming from behind...