Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Fair Isle
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Spans the channel between the Orkney and Shetland Islands in the northern North Sea.
After Fair...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Fairlead
A device used to guide a line, rope, or cable, preventing it from chafing or snagging, and ensuring it runs smoothly along a desired path.
A...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology FairwayThe main channel in a body of water such as an estuary or river
- General Nautical Terminology Fairway MarkBuoy, post or pillar positioned at safe distance to seaward of a channel. See also Safe Water mark.
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Fastnet
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Located off Ireland’s southwest coast near Fastnet Rock.
After Fastnet Rock off Ireland’s SW...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Fathom
A unit of length equal to six feet (1.8288 metres), commonly used to measure the depth of water.
A fathom is a traditional maritime unit of...
More Details - Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Foxtrot (F)

The International Maritime Signal Flag Foxtrot.
Meaning
I am disabled; communicate with me.
- Did you know?, General Nautical Terminology Feeling Blue
The phrase "feeling blue" is commonly used to describe sadness or melancholy, and its origins are often linked to nautical traditions.
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Fender
A fender is a cushioning device used on boats and ships to prevent damage to the vessel or dock when they come into contact, particularly when...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Ferry Gliding
A technique used to move a boat sideways across a flowing body of water without significant forward or backward motion relative to the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology FetchThe distance travelled by the wind when crossing open water. The height of the waves is proportional to the fetch and strength of the wind
- General Nautical Terminology FidA tapered tool used for separating the strands of rope for splicing.
- General Nautical Terminology, Knot Figure of Eight
A type of knot commonly used to create a secure stopper at the end of a rope, preventing it from slipping through a block, cleat, or...
More Details - Courses, RYA First AidThe RYA First Aid course is a one-day program tailored to the unique challenges of the marine environment. Participants learn essential first aid... More Details
- Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication First Substitute (ICS Flag)

Substitute or repeater flags allow messages with duplicate characters to be signalled without requiring multiple sets of flags.
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Fisher
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Covers Fisher Bank in the central North Sea, known for its rich fishing grounds.
Taking its name...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) FitzRoy
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Covers the Atlantic west of the Bay of Biscay.
Honoring Admiral Robert FitzRoy, founder of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology FixThe position of a vessel as plotted on the chart from position lines obtained by compass bearings, direction finder, echo sounder etc.
- Did you know?, Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Flag Semaphore Signals
A system for conveying information at a distance through visual signals using hand-held flags.
The position of the flags encodes the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Flake
To lay out or coil a line or rope in a flat, organised manner to prevent tangling or kinking.
Flaking is a crucial technique in maritime...
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