Glossary Archive

The part of an anchor that digs into the seabed to secure the boat in place.  The Shank refers to the long, vertical part of an anchor that connects the crown to the flukes. The shank plays a crucial role in anchoring a boat securely in place. It is designed to penetrate the seabed and...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Lies off the west coast of Ireland at the mouth of the River Shannon. From the Shannon Estuary (Gaelic “Sionainn”), Shannon sees west to southwest winds of Force 4–6 and moderate seas, with occasional strong winter gusts. The 1822 storm surge flooded Limerick, prompting improvements to estuary...

A line or rope used to control the angle of a sail relative to the wind. In sailing, a sheet is an essential part of the rigging system and plays a crucial role in adjusting the sail's position to optimise the boat's performance. Sheets control the trim, or angle, of the sails. Each sail on...

A maritime weather broadcast provided by the UK Met Office, offering vital information on sea conditions, wind, and visibility for seafarers in British and nearby waters. The Shipping Forecast is an essential service for mariners, providing concise and reliable weather updates for the safety of those navigating the seas around the British Isles. It is...

A designated route in a body of water that is regularly used by commercial and cargo vessels to ensure safe and efficient maritime navigation. A shipping lane, also referred to as a sea lane or maritime corridor, is a predefined pathway in oceans, seas, or other navigable waters that facilitates the orderly movement of ships....

Neat and efficient

An area offshore where the water is to shallow that a vessel might run aground. To shoal is to become shallow

Elastic rubber bands enclosed in a sheath of fibres, very useful for lashing

To reduce the amount of sail area exposed to the wind, typically to maintain control and safety in strong winds. Shortening sail is a sailing manoeuvre, particularly when weather conditions deteriorate, and the wind strength increases. The primary goal of shortening sail is to reduce the amount of wind pressure on the sails, which helps...

A strong, fixed line or wire that supports a sailing vessel's mast laterally, running from the mast to the sides of the hull or to chainplates.  A shroud is an essential part of a sailing vessel's standing rigging, designed to stabilise and support the mast by preventing it from swaying sideways under the forces of...