Glossary Archive

The process or system of provisioning a ship with necessary supplies, especially food and drink, for the crew's sustenance during a journey. Victualling is an essential aspect of maritime operations, ensuring that a vessel is adequately stocked with provisions before setting sail. Historically, the term has been closely associated with naval and merchant ships, where...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. This area covers the northernmost part of the North Sea, off the east coast of the UK and west coast of Norway. Named after the shallow Viking Bank to the north of Dogger Bank, Viking is the northernmost of the Shipping Forecast areas. It is exposed to...

Beaufort Scale - Force 11 A violent storm is a weather phenomenon characterised by strong winds exceeding 64 knots (74 miles per hour) and significant wave heights of at least 40 feet. These storms can cause extensive damage to structures, vessels, and coastal areas, seriously threatening maritime operations and safety.

Flag semaphore indicating the letter V.

International Morse Code sequence representing the letter V.

The speed at which a vessel is effectively moving towards its intended destination, factoring in both its current speed and the angle of travel relative to the wind or current. Velocity Made Good (VMG) is a crucial concept in sailing and other forms of marine navigation, especially when travelling upwind or downwind. It refers to...

A shore-based system that monitors and manages vessel movements in busy or hazardous waterways to enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental protection.  Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is an internationally recognised system operated by maritime authorities to regulate and assist vessel movements in congested or high-risk areas such as ports, straits, and busy coastal waters. Using radar,...

Turbulence behind a vessel. Not to be confused with wash

A strong rope or line used for mooring, towing, or manoeuvring a vessel, particularly in situations requiring precise control.  Warping is a traditional and essential technique in maritime operations, particularly useful in harbours, narrow waterways, or when precise vessel positioning is required. The verb "to warp" refers to the act of moving a vessel by...

The waves created by a vessel. Not to be confused with wake.