Glossary Archive

The International Maritime Signal Flag Oscar. Meaning Man overboard. (Often attached to the Danbuoy pole on boats.)The semaphore flag.

The Ocean Data Acquisition System (ODAS) is a system used to collect, process, and transmit various types of oceanographic data. This system typically includes a network of sensors, instruments, and data loggers deployed in the ocean to measure parameters such as temperature, salinity, currents, waves, and other environmental conditions. The data collected by the ODAS...

The designated officer responsible for the safe navigation and operation of a vessel during their assigned watch period.  The Officer of the Watch (OOW) is a key role on a vessel, ensuring the ship's safe passage and adherence to regulations while on duty. The OOW is responsible for maintaining a proper lookout, monitoring navigational equipment,...

The area of the sea that is away from the coast, typically beyond the immediate inshore waters, and often associated with deeper waters and open-sea conditions. In marine terminology, "offshore" is used to describe activities, locations, or conditions that occur or exist away from the shoreline, typically in deeper waters. The term is relative to...

The Offshore Personal Survival course is an intensive program designed for sailors participating in offshore and ocean races. Participants learn life-saving techniques, including life raft drills, survival swimming, and handling emergencies in rough seas. The course also covers equipment checks, distress signaling, and personal preparation for extreme conditions. Recognized by World Sailing, this course is...

Waterproof clothing worn in foul weather

Flag semaphore indicating the letter O.

International Morse Code sequence representing the letter O.

Wind blowing towards the land or “not at sea”.

Refers to something located in the forward left quadrant of a vessel, between directly ahead and 90 degrees to the port (left) side. "On the Port Bow" is a directional term used in maritime navigation to describe the relative position of an object or another vessel in relation to the observer's own ship. Specifically, it...