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Nautical Know How
  • Our Courses

      All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.

      • Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
      • Essential Navigation & SeamanshipRYA course for beginners. Learn charts, tides, pilotage, and core seamanship with simple practice tasks.
      • Day Skipper TheoryMost PopularRYA course for inshore skippers. Plan day passages using chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs.
      • Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonRYA course for advanced navigation and passage planning. Work with secondary ports, tidal streams, and offshore weather.
      • SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseRYA Short Range Certificate radio course. Study online, then take the practical exam with an RYA assessor.
  • Directory

      Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.

      • Places
        Find anywhere nautical, including marinas & training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
      • Courses
        We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      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.

      • Nautical Terms & Terminology
        Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. 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.
      • Why do we have tides?
        Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
      • What causes our weather?
        A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper & RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
      • Buoyage Flashcards
        Flashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
      • Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)
        Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
      • The Salty Sea Blog
        From salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.
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Nautical Know How
  • Our Courses

      All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.

      • Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
      • Essential Navigation & SeamanshipRYA course for beginners. Learn charts, tides, pilotage, and core seamanship with simple practice tasks.
      • Day Skipper TheoryMost PopularRYA course for inshore skippers. Plan day passages using chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs.
      • Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonRYA course for advanced navigation and passage planning. Work with secondary ports, tidal streams, and offshore weather.
      • SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseRYA Short Range Certificate radio course. Study online, then take the practical exam with an RYA assessor.
  • Directory

      Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.

      • Places
        Find anywhere nautical, including marinas & training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
      • Courses
        We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      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.

      • Nautical Terms & Terminology
        Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. 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.
      • Why do we have tides?
        Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
      • What causes our weather?
        A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper & RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
      • Buoyage Flashcards
        Flashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
      • Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)
        Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
      • The Salty Sea Blog
        From salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.
  • Chandlery
Sign In Join now—it’s Free

Glossary

AJAX progress indicator
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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Results: 1149
  • Term
    Definition
  • General Nautical Terminology DiaphoneA powerful two-tone fog signal with a grunt at the end.
  • Courses, RYA Diesel EngineThe RYA Diesel Engine course is a one-day program designed for boat owners and operators who want to maintain and troubleshoot their engines... More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology Digital Selective CallingIs the process of sending a digital message using a VHF transmission. It is used to send and listen for distress signals in maritime situations... More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology, Safety, Signals & Communication Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

    An automated VHF and MF/HF radio communication system used in maritime environments to send distress alerts, establish contact, and exchange...

    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 DinghyA type of small boat, often carried or towed as a ship’s boat by a larger vessel. Also small open sailing boats often used for racing and training
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Club RacingThe RYA Dinghy Club Racing course prepares sailors to participate confidently in local club races. The course covers essential skills such as... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Day SailingThe RYA Dinghy Day Sailing course equips sailors with the knowledge and skills to plan and execute safe and enjoyable day trips. The course... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Foiling First FlightsThe RYA Dinghy Foiling First Flights course provides an introduction to the exhilarating world of foiling. Designed for experienced sailors, this... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Foiling Performance FlightsBuilding on the basics, the RYA Dinghy Foiling Performance Flights course refines foiling skills for greater control and speed. Participants... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Foiling Sustained FlightsThe RYA Dinghy Foiling Sustained Flights course is for experienced sailors aiming to master continuous foiling. Participants focus on fine-tuning... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Level 1 - Start SailingThe RYA Dinghy Level 1 course is an introductory program for beginners learning the fundamentals of sailing. Participants practice rigging,... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Level 2 - Basic SkillsThe RYA Dinghy Level 2 course builds on the foundation of Level 1, teaching participants to sail independently. Sailors practice tacking, gybing,... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Level 3 - Better SailingThe RYA Dinghy Level 3 course focuses on refining sailing techniques and building confidence in more challenging conditions. Participants enhance... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Performance SailingThe RYA Dinghy Performance Sailing course is designed for experienced sailors aiming to enhance their racing and technical skills. This advanced... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Regional RacingThe RYA Dinghy Regional Racing course is designed for sailors transitioning to competitive racing at a regional level. Participants learn advanced... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Sailing with SpinnakersThe RYA Dinghy Sailing with Spinnakers course introduces sailors to the exciting challenge of spinnaker handling. Participants learn how to rig,... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Seamanship SkillsThe RYA Dinghy Seamanship Skills course focuses on developing practical abilities to handle dinghies in a variety of conditions. Participants... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Dinghy Start RacingThe RYA Dinghy Start Racing course is perfect for sailors looking to begin their journey into competitive sailing. This course covers racing... More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology Dip the EnsignTo lower the ensign briefly as a salute.  It is not re-hoisted until the vessel saluted has dipped and re-hoisted hers in acknowledgement
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