Glossary
Marine navigation has its own secret language, and let’s face it—half of it sounds like someone making things up after too much grog. You’ve got your 'dead reckoning,' which isn’t nearly as ominous as it sounds, and 'bearing,' which has nothing to do with polar bears but everything to do with pointing the right way. Don’t even get us started on 'knots'—why measure speed like you’re tying a shoelace? And then there’s 'fix (not for your engine) and 'DR' (spoiler: it’s not a doctor). If you’re baffled, don’t worry—we’re here to help you decipher this nautical code so you can sound like a pro, not a landlubber who’s lost their compass.
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TermDefinition
- Navigation CADET
The CADET mnemonic can help remember the corrections needed when converting between True North and Compass North bearings. It assists in...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation CBDR
CBDR is a term in navigation which means that some object, usually another ship viewed from the deck or bridge of one's own ship, is getting...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Chronometer
A highly accurate timekeeping instrument, specifically designed for determining longitude at sea.
A chronometer is a precision timepiece used...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Closest Point of Approach (CPA)
Used primarily in maritime and aviation contexts to describe the shortest distance that will be achieved between two moving objects, such as...
More Details - Navigation Compass Add East for True (CADET)
The CADET mnemonic can help remember the corrections needed when converting between True North and Compass North bearings. It assists in...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Constant bearing, decreasing range (CBDR)
CBDR is a term in navigation which means that some object, usually another ship viewed from the deck or bridge of one's own ship, is getting...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
The primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time serving as the basis for civil time globally.
Coordinated Universal...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation CPA
Used primarily in maritime and aviation contexts to describe the shortest distance that will be achieved between two moving objects, such as...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Dead Reckoning (DR)
A navigational method used to estimate a vessel's current position based on a previously known position, factoring in speed, time, and course...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Deviation card
A deviation card is produced for a steering compass once it has been swung. The card provides the details necessary to correct the compass for...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Dilution of Precision (DOP)
Used in satellite navigation and geolocation to provide the likely accuracy of a satellite-derived position.
The DOP concept is essential to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation DOP
Used in satellite navigation and geolocation to provide the likely accuracy of a satellite-derived position.
The DOP concept is essential to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation DR
A navigational method used to estimate a vessel's current position based on a previously known position, factoring in speed, time, and course...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Ebb Tide
The period during which the tide is receding, causing water levels to fall as it flows away from the shore towards the sea.
Ebb tide is a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation ECDIS
An Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a geographic information system used for nautical navigation that complies with IMO...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
An Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a geographic information system used for nautical navigation that complies with IMO...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Electronic Navigation Chart (ENC)
A digital database of maritime chart information designed for use with Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) to support safe...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation ENC
A digital database of maritime chart information designed for use with Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) to support safe...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation EP
The approximate location of a vessel determined by dead reckoning, and accounting for external factors such as wind (Leeway) and Tide.
An...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Estimated Position (EP)
The approximate location of a vessel determined by dead reckoning, and accounting for external factors such as wind (Leeway) and Tide.
An...
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