Glossary Archive

The RYA Advanced Windsurfing course focuses on refining techniques for high-performance windsurfing. Participants learn advanced maneuvers such as carve gybing, waterstarting, and managing stronger winds. The course emphasizes optimizing board and sail setup for maximum speed and control. By the end, windsurfers will feel confident tackling challenging conditions and enhancing their performance on the water.

The state of being buoyant and on the water's surface, not submerged or sinking.  Afloat is a term commonly used in the maritime world to describe vessels, objects, or even people supported by water and remaining on its surface. For a ship or boat, being afloat means it is appropriately buoyant, not taking on water,...

The rear or stern section of a vessel, towards the back of the boat or ship. Aft is a directional term used to describe the position or movement towards a vessel's stern (the back). It is one of the fundamental terms used to orient oneself on a boat or ship, alongside others like forward (towards...

The portion of a vessel's deck located towards the stern, or rear, of the ship. The after deck, sometimes referred to as the aft deck, is a crucial area on a vessel, particularly in larger ships and yachts. The section of the deck is located towards the stern, which is the rear part of the...

The situation when a vessel is stuck on the seabed or shore, unable to move freely in the water. When a vessel is aground, the hull has come into contact with the seabed, sandbank, or shore, and the vessel no longer floats freely. This can happen intentionally, such as when a ship is beached for...

The direction in front of a vessel, typically along its forward course or heading. In maritime terminology, ahead is commonly used to describe the direction directly in front of a vessel, relative to its bow. When a ship is said to be moving ahead, it means it is progressing forward in the direction of its...

A nautical greeting or hail used to attract attention, signal presence, or establish communication between vessels or individuals at sea. Ahoy! is a traditional maritime term used for centuries as a greeting or call in the nautical world. Its origins can be traced back to the Middle Ages, deriving from the Middle English cry "hoy!"...

A type of watercraft that uses a cushion of pressurised air beneath its hull to reduce friction and enable movement over water, land, or other surfaces. An air-cushioned vessel, commonly called a hovercraft, is a unique type of marine craft that creates a cushion of air beneath its structure. This cushion is generated by powerful...

A maritime communication system that automatically transmits and receives vessel information such as position, speed, and course to enhance navigational safety. The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a critical technology used in maritime navigation to improve safety and collision avoidance. It operates through the automatic exchange of data between vessels, shore stations, and other AIS-equipped...

The side of a vessel that is sheltered from the wind, also known as the leeward side. Alee is a nautical term used to describe the side of a ship or boat that is away from the wind or downwind. In sailing, wind direction plays a crucial role in determining how a vessel moves and...