Glossary Archive

Pipe down is a nautical term meaning to quiet down or cease talking. It is often used as a command on a boat or ship to instruct crew members or passengers to lower their voices or stop making noise. The term comes from the practice of using a whistle, or “pipe,” to signal commands on...

The angle or inclination of a vessel's bow and stern as it moves up and down in response to waves. Pitch is a critical concept in marine dynamics, describing the longitudinal motion of a vessel as it rotates around its lateral axis. This movement is caused by the interaction between the vessel and the waves,...

A capsize where a boat flips longitudinally, usually caused by the bow digging into a wave or sudden deceleration. A pitch pole is a dramatic and often dangerous form of capsize where a vessel, most commonly a multihull such as a catamaran or trimaran, flips forward over its bow. This typically occurs when the boat...

A compact, portable device used to transmit a distress signal via satellite to alert search and rescue services in emergencies at sea. A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is an essential piece of safety equipment for mariners, designed to provide a lifeline in situations where traditional communication methods, such as VHF radios or mobile phones, are...

Flag semaphore indicating the letter P.

International Morse Code sequence representing the letter P.

To chart or mark a course on a nautical chart or map. A marked course or route on a nautical chart, or the act of determining a vessel's position and intended path. Plotting is a fundamental aspect of maritime navigation, involving the precise marking of a vessel's current position and its intended course on a...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Spans Plymouth Sound and adjacent waters off southwest England. From Plymouth Sound (“mouth of the Plym”), Plymouth experiences west to southwest winds of Force 4–6 and moderate seas with frequent rain showers. In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers departed under generally benign weather conditions from this area.

A pontoon is a flat, buoyant structure used to support a platform, bridge, or boat. It is typically made of metal, plastic, or inflatable materials and provides stability and flotation on the water. Marinas use pontoons to separate mooring for individual vessels.

Swamped by a high, following sea.