Glossary Archive

Pronounced: keh-BECK The term for the letter Q in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

A strong tidal stream

The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) governs the sport of sailboat and sailboard racing. It is revised and published every four years by World Sailing.

The RYA Radar course teaches participants to use radar systems effectively for navigation and collision avoidance. Topics include radar setup, interpreting displays, and optimizing settings for different conditions. Participants practice identifying targets, navigating in poor visibility, and managing radar equipment. This one-day course is ideal for skippers and crew members operating in congested or foggy...

A passive device designed to enhance a vessel's visibility on radar systems by reflecting radar signals back to their source. A radar reflector is a piece of safety equipment used in the maritime industry to ensure that vessels, particularly smaller or non-metallic ones, are more easily detected by radar systems. It is typically made of...

A communication made via radio from a vessel to a shore-based medical facility or professional to seek urgent medical advice or assistance for an onboard medical emergency. A Radio Medical Advice Link Call is an essential protocol in maritime operations, particularly for vessels operating far from shore where immediate access to medical facilities is unavailable....

Two or more vessels tied up alongside each other

A ship that, due to the nature of its work, is unable to keep out of the way of other vessels as required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). A vessel classified as "Restricted in Ability to Manoeuvre" (RAM) is one that cannot deviate from its course or alter its movements...

The vertical difference between the high tide and the succeeding low tide in a specific tidal cycle. The range of tide is a fundamental concept in marine navigation and coastal activities, describing the extent of tidal fluctuation at a given location. It is calculated by measuring the vertical distance between the highest water level (high...

Electronic chart which is a direct copy of a paper chart with limited zooming capability