Glossary Archive

A navigable waterway, often a natural or dredged passage, that allows vessels to travel between larger bodies of water or through shallow areas. A channel in maritime contexts refers to a specific route or passage in a body of water that is deep enough for vessels to navigate safely. Channels can be naturally occurring, such...

Pronounced: CHAR-lee The term for the letter C in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

A detailed map used in marine navigation, showing water depths, hazards, and other critical information for safe passage. A marine chart is an essential tool for navigators, providing a graphical representation of a specific body of water and its surrounding features. Unlike a general map, a chart is designed specifically for maritime use and includes...

Reference level on charts and for use in tidal predictions. It is approximately the lowest the tide is ever expected to fall because of astronomical phenomena, also known as Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)

The depths shown on the chart are the depths of the seabed below Chart Datum and are therefore the least depth expected at that point in normal circumstances.

An electronic navigation device used on boats to display electronic navigation charts and track the vessel's position in real-time using GPS technology. A chart plotter is an essential tool for modern marine navigation. It combines GPS data with digital nautical charts to provide a real-time display of a vessel's position, course, and speed. The device...

A flat, dedicated surface aboard a vessel used for spreading out nautical charts and plotting courses during navigation. A chart table is an essential feature found on many seagoing vessels, particularly those designed for extended voyages or professional use. Typically located in the navigation station or near the helm, the chart table provides a stable...

The second-in-command on a vessel, responsible for overseeing the ship's day-to-day operations, cargo handling, and the safety of the crew and passengers. The Chief Mate plays a pivotal role in a ship's crew hierarchy, acting as the immediate subordinate to the Captain (or Master) and assuming command in the Captain's absence. This officer is primarily...

The sharp angle or edge formed where the hull's sides meet its bottom, commonly found in hard-chined boats.  A chine is a critical structural and design feature of a boat's hull, particularly evident in vessels with a hard chine. It refers to the intersection or edge where the hull's bottom transitions to its sides, creating...

Chock-a-block is a nautical term describing when two blocks (pulleys) are pulled so close together that they cannot be tightened further. It indicates that a line or rope is fully tightened or that two objects are pressed tightly together. In a broader sense, it can also mean something that is completely full or crowded.