Glossary Archive

A loop which crosses under the standing part of a rope when tying a knot.

Under the weather is commonly used to describe feeling ill or unwell. Its origins can be traced back to maritime language. It originated from the maritime world in the early 1800s. When sailors were seasick or unwell, they would go below deck to escape the weather and recover. The original phrase was "under the weather bow", which...

A vessel that is not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground, and is actively moving through the water. In maritime terminology, "underway" is a concept that distinguishes a vessel's operational status. A ship is considered "underway" when it is not anchored, moored, or grounded, meaning it is free to move and is...

Pronounced: YOU-nee-form The term for the letter U in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

A high-resolution numerical weather prediction model used by the UK Met Office to provide detailed weather forecasts for the United Kingdom and surrounding areas.  The United Kingdom Variable-resolution model (UKV) is a sophisticated numerical weather prediction model developed by the UK Met Office to provide high-resolution forecasts for the United Kingdom and surrounding regions. The...

An international organisation founded in 1945 aimed at promoting peace, security, and cooperation among countries worldwide. The United Nations (UN) was established after the Second World War with the primary objective of preventing future conflicts on a global scale. It serves as a platform where representatives from nearly every country can come together to discuss...

A scientific institution operated by the United States Navy that specialises in astronomical and timekeeping research, providing precise navigational data for military and civilian use.  The United States Naval Observatory (USNO) is one of the oldest scientific agencies in the United States, established in 1830 to support naval navigation by producing accurate astronomical data. It...

If you've ever set sail or chatted with seasoned sailors, you might have stumbled upon a curious maritime superstition: bananas are bad luck on boats. This peculiar belief, like tales of mermaids and ghost ships, has been passed down through generations.

A United States Armed Forces branch, responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in domestic and international waters. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime but can be transferred to the Department of the Navy during times of war or when directed by the President. Its primary...

A United States Armed Forces branch, responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in domestic and international waters. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime but can be transferred to the Department of the Navy during times of war or when directed by the President. Its primary...