Glossary Archive

This flag semaphore signal indicates a change from numbers to letters (Letters to follow). This switches back from numbers to the default encoding, which is letters. It is also the Letter J (Flag Semaphore) between the number signals. A to K are numerals 1 to 9, respectively; J is this shape, Letters to Follow, and...

The RYA Level 1 Start Powerboating course introduces beginners to the basics of powerboat handling. Participants learn low-speed maneuvers, safety checks, and launching and recovering powerboats. Delivered in a practical, hands-on format, this one-day course builds foundational skills and confidence, preparing participants for the Level 2 Powerboat Handling course.

The RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling course is a comprehensive two-day program that teaches participants the skills needed to operate powerboats confidently and safely. This course covers high-speed maneuvers, docking, navigation, and emergency procedures. Participants practice practical skills such as anchoring, recovering a man overboard, and handling various water conditions. Successful completion allows participants to...

A buoyant, wearable safety device designed to keep a person afloat in the water and reduce the risk of drowning.  A life jacket, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD), is an essential piece of safety equipment used in boating and other water-based activities. It is designed to provide buoyancy and keep the wearer’s...

Personal safety device attached to harness on lifejacket and to vessel strongpoint. Designed to keep you on board

An inflatable or rigid floating device designed to provide emergency refuge and safety for individuals forced to abandon a vessel at sea. A liferaft is an essential piece of safety equipment carried aboard most seagoing vessels, including commercial ships, yachts, and fishing boats. Its primary purpose is to serve as a temporary shelter and flotation...

A tall, often cylindrical structure equipped with a powerful light and other navigational aids, built near coastlines or on islands to guide mariners and warn them of hazardous areas.  A lighthouse is an essential maritime structure designed to assist in navigation and ensure the safety of vessels at sea. Typically located on prominent headlands, reefs,...

Pronounced: LEE-mah The term for the letter L in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

A rope used on a boat for various purposes, such as securing the vessel to a mooring (mooring line), adjusting sails (halyard or sheet), towing another boat (tow line), or for safety purposes (lifeline). Lines are essential tools on a boat and come in different materials, lengths, and thicknesses depending on their intended use.

Navigational lines drawn on a chart, each representing a possible location of a vessel based on a single observation or measurement.  A line of position (LOP) is a fundamental concept in marine navigation used to determine a vessel's location. It is a line on a nautical chart along which a ship is known to be...