Glossary Archive

To haul in the sheets to bring the sail closer to the centreline; the opposite of ease out

Turn towards the wind; sail closer to the wind.

The highest level of sea water that can be predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions and under any combination of astronomical influences. The Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) is a critical reference point in marine navigation and coastal planning. It represents the maximum tidal height that can be anticipated based solely on predictable astronomical factors,...

A covered opening in a ship's deck through which cargo can be loaded or access made to a lower deck; the cover to the opening is called a hatch cover

To pull in, usually a sheet, halyard or anchor line

The International Maritime Signal Flag Hotel. Meaning I have a pilot on board.

Used in satellite navigation and positioning systems to quantify the accuracy of horizontal position measurements. It is a unitless factor that indicates the geometric quality of the satellite configuration in relation to the receiver's position. A lower HDOP value indicates a more accurate horizontal position, while a higher HDOP value indicates a less accurate position...

Head (heads) refers to the toilet or bathroom on a boat. The heads on a boat may be equipped with a marine toilet designed to safely handle waste while out on the water.

Head is the term for the topmost part of a sail where the halyard is attached to enable the sail to be hoisted and lowered.

The direction in which a vessel's bow is pointed at any given moment, typically measured in degrees relative to true north or magnetic north. A vessel's heading is a critical concept in navigation, as it indicates the direction the boat is currently facing, regardless of external influences such as wind, current, or waves. It is...