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We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.
Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. You’ll wonder why a “sheet” isn’t something you sleep under but a rope that controls a sail. “Bowsprit” sounds like a sneeze, “booby hatch” isn’t a bird’s hideout, and “port” doesn’t come in a glass—it’s just left. If someone yells, “Man overboard!” don’t ask which direction they swam. And heaven help you if you think “scuttlebutt” is gossip—well, actually, you’d be right about that one. By the time you’ve figured out that “head” means toilet and “galley” isn’t an alley with gourds, you’ve already been hit with a wave and lost your hat to the wind they call a “nor’easter.”
Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “I require a tug.”. The Zulu flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates information or intention but does not…
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “I am dragging my anchor.”. The Yankee flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates information or intention but does…
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.”. The X-ray flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates…
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “I require medical assistance.”. The Whiskey flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates information or intention but does not…
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “I require assistance.”. The Victor flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates information or intention but does not remove…
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “You are running into danger.”. The Uniform flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates information or intention but does…
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.”. The Tango flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates…
An International Code of Signals pennant representing one of the digits zero to nine. Numeral pennants are used with alphabet flags, substitutes and other numeral pennants to form coded groups, quantities, bearings, dates or other information defined by the signalling context. A numeral pennant has no safe standalone interpretation beyond its digit unless the applicable…
An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “My engines are going astern.”. The Sierra flag may be displayed alone to convey this internationally assigned meaning. It can also appear as a character within multi-flag groups, where the complete group has a different coded interpretation. The signal communicates information or intention but does…
An International Code of Signals flag representing the letter R, with no assigned standalone single-letter meaning in the current Code. Code flag Romeo is used within multi-flag groups and for spelling, where the complete hoist or context supplies its meaning. It should not be given an invented one-flag message. The existing image shows its prescribed…
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
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