Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Cleat
A fitting on a boat or dock used to secure a rope or line.
A cleat is an piece of hardware found on boats, docks, and other marine structures,...
More Details - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter C (Flag Semaphore)

This shape represents the Letter C (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 3 (Flag Semaphore).
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter C (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter C.
- General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Clew
The lower aft corner of a sail, where the foot and leech meet, and is often equipped with a grommet or cringle for attaching control lines such...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Points of Sail Close Hauled
A sailing boat's course that is as directly into the wind as possible.
Close hauled is a point of sail where the boat is sailing as directly...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Points of Sail Close Reach
A point of sail where the wind is coming from forward of the beam, typically about 60° to 80° off the bow. It is one of the fastest and most...
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 - General Nautical Terminology, Knot Clove Hitch
A clove hitch is a versatile, easy-to-tie knot commonly used to secure a rope to a post or pole temporarily. One of its most common uses is...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Clutch
A deck fitting used to grip and hold a rope or line under load while allowing for controlled release when needed.
A clutch is a specialised...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Coachroof
The raised portion of a boat's deck, typically over the cabin, providing additional headroom and space below deck.
The coachroof, also known...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Coaming
A raised edge or border around an opening on a deck, such as a hatch, designed to prevent water from entering.
Coamings are essential...
More Details - Courses, RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (Motor)The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (Motor) course is designed for experienced motor cruisers preparing for extended coastal passages. Participants... More Details
- Courses, RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (Sail)The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (Sail) course is for experienced sailors preparing for extended coastal passages. Participants learn advanced... More Details
- Courses, RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore TheoryThe RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course is an advanced shore-based program for experienced sailors. Topics include complex... More Details
- Organisation Coastguard (HMCG)
The organisation responsible for search and rescue operations in UK waters.
His Majesty's Coastguard (HMCG) is a section of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Cocked Hat
The small triangular area formed when three position lines on a nautical chart intersect but do not meet at a single point, indicating a degree...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Cockpit
The area of a boat, typically located towards the stern, where the helm, controls, and seating for the crew are situated.
The cockpit of a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Code Zero
A lightweight, high-performance sail designed for close-reaching angles, typically used in light wind conditions to maximise boat speed.
A...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation COG
The actual path a vessel follows over the surface of the Earth, as opposed to its heading or intended course.
Course Over Ground (COG) is a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Collision CourseThe course of a vessel which, if maintained relative to that of another would result in a collision

