Glossary Archive
Estimated Time of Arrival
Calculated time of arrival at destination.
ETA
Calculated time of arrival at destination.
Even Keel
The balanced and stable positioning of a vessel in the water, where it is neither listing to one side nor pitching forward or aft. An "even keel" is a nautical term that describes the ideal state of a vessel when it is perfectly balanced in the water. This means the ship or boat is not...
Eye Splice
A closed loop or eye at the end a line, rope, cable, etc. It is made by unraveling its end and joining it to itself by intertwining it into the lay of the line. Eye splices are very strong and compact and are employed in moorings and docking lines among other uses.
Fair
When describing conditions such as wind or tidal stream, fair refers to them being advantageous or favourable. In weather terminology, it means no significant precipitation (e.g. rain).
Fairlead
A device used to guide a line, rope, or cable, preventing it from chafing or snagging, and ensuring it runs smoothly along a desired path. A fairlead is an essential piece of hardware found on boats and ships, designed to manage the routing of lines, ropes, or cables. It typically consists of a smooth, rounded...
Fairway
The main channel in a body of water such as an estuary or river
Fairway Mark
Buoy, post or pillar positioned at safe distance to seaward of a channel. See also Safe Water mark.
Fathom
A unit of length equal to six feet (1.8288 metres), commonly used to measure the depth of water. A fathom is a traditional maritime unit of measurement that has been used for centuries to determine water depth. It originated from the practice of measuring the span between a person's outstretched arms, which was roughly six...
Code Flag Foxtrot (F)
The International Maritime Signal Flag Foxtrot. Meaning I am disabled; communicate with me.