Glossary Archive

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...

A coastal landform characterised by a high, narrow piece of land that juts out into the sea, often forming a prominent point along the shoreline. A headland is a significant geographical feature found along coastlines, where the land extends out into the sea, creating a distinctive point or promontory. These formations are typically composed of...

A headsail is a sail set forward of the mast on a sailboat. It is typically smaller than the mainsail and is used to help propel the boat forward by catching the wind. Headsails come in various sizes and shapes, such as genoas, jibs, and spinnakers, and can be adjusted or changed depending on the...

To point the stem of the vessel into the wind

Movement through the water stem first