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
- Did you know?, Phonetic Alphabet Whiskey
Phonetic alphabet letter W.
Medical Emergency: When a vessel displays the Whiskey flag, it indicates a medical emergency on board and that...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Whole Gale
Beaufort Scale – Force 10
A Whole Gale is a term used in meteorology to describe a wind of force 10 on the Beaufort scale, corresponding to...
More Details - Organisation World Sailing (ISAF)
World Sailing, formerly known as the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), is the governing body for the sport of sailing...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet X-Ray
Phonetic alphabet letter X.
Instruction to Another Vessel: When a vessel displays the X-ray flag, it instructs another vessel to stop its...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet Yankee
Phonetic alphabet letter Y.
Anchor Dragging: When a vessel displays the Yankee flag, it indicates that the vessel is experiencing a situation...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Yard
A yard is a horizontal spar on a sailing vessel attached to the mast and used to support and spread a square sail.
A yard is an essential...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Yatchsman's Gale
Nickname for the Beaufort Scale - Force 6
"Yachtsman's gale" is often used to describe the wind strength of Force 6. It gets its name because...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet Zulu
Phonetic alphabet letter Z.
Request for Tug Assistance: When a vessel displays the Zulu flag, it communicates that the vessel requires the...
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