Glossary
Nautical chart abbreviations are like the secret code of the seas—except instead of buried treasure, they lead to rocks, buoys, and mysterious dashed lines that scream, 'Don’t sail here.' Learning them can feel like cracking a pirate’s encrypted diary, but don’t worry, matey! With clever tools, quirky mnemonics, and a splash of humour, we’ll help you go from 'What’s "FOUL" mean? to confidently navigating the “Wk” wrecks and “Fl G” flashes like a salty sea captain. Think of it as Rosetta Stone, but for avoiding sandbanks!
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Stern Drive
A stern drive is a propulsion system commonly used in recreational motor vessels. It consists of an inboard engine connected to a steerable drive...
More Details - Weather (Meteorology) Storm
Beaufort Scale - Force 10 (Storm Force 10)
A storm is a weather phenomenon characterised by strong winds, reaching at least 48 knots (55...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet Tango
Phonetic alphabet letter T.
Pair Trawling: When a vessel displays the Tango flag, it indicates that it is engaged in pair trawling operations....
More Details - Organisation The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA)
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) is an internationally renowned professional institution representing naval architects and marine...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Trim
Trim is the adjustment of a boat's sails, weight distribution, and angle relative to the water to optimise performance, balance, and...
More Details - Organisation Trinity House
Trinity House is a maritime organisation responsible for maintaining navigational aids, including lighthouses and buoys, along England, Wales,...
More Details - Weather (Meteorology) Tropical Hurricane
A tropical hurricane is an intense tropical cyclone characterised by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low pressure. These storms typically form...
More Details - Organisation UN
An international organisation founded in 1945 aimed at promoting peace, security, and cooperation among countries worldwide.
The United...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Underhand loop
A loop which crosses under the standing part of a rope when tying a knot.
- Did you know?, Nautical Saying Under the Weather
Under the weather is commonly used to describe feeling ill or unwell. Its origins can be traced back to maritime language. It originated from the...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet Uniform
Phonetic alphabet letter U.
Warning of Danger: When a vessel displays the Uniform flag, it serves as a warning to another vessel that it is...
More Details - Organisation United Nations (UN)
An international organisation founded in 1945 aimed at promoting peace, security, and cooperation among countries worldwide.
The United...
More Details - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Up (Flag Semaphore)
- Organisation USCG
A United States Armed Forces branch, responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in domestic and international...
More Details - Organisation U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
A United States Armed Forces branch, responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in domestic and international...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology VDOP
Vertical Dilution of Precision (VDOP) is a measure used in satellite navigation systems, such as GPS, to quantify the impact of satellite...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Vertical Dilution of Precision (VDOP)
Vertical Dilution of Precision (VDOP) is a measure used in satellite navigation systems, such as GPS, to quantify the impact of satellite...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Vessel
Any craft designed for transportation on water, including ships, boats, and other waterborne vehicles.
A vessel is any structure or craft...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet Victor
Phonetic alphabet letter V.
Request for Assistance: When a vessel displays the Victor flag, it indicates that the vessel is in distress or...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Violent Storm
Beaufort Scale - Force 11
A violent storm is a weather phenomenon characterised by strong winds exceeding 64 knots (74 miles per hour) and...
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