Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Heading
The direction in which a vessel's bow is pointed at any given moment, typically measured in degrees relative to true north or magnetic...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology HeadlandA fairly high and steep part of the land that projects into the sea
- General Nautical Terminology Headsail
A headsail is a sail set forward of the mast on a sailboat. It is typically smaller than the mainsail and is used to help propel the boat forward...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Head to WindTo point the stem of the vessel into the wind
- General Nautical Terminology HeadwayMovement through the water stem first
- General Nautical Terminology Heave To More Details
- General Nautical Terminology HeelThe angle a vessel leans over in the wind.
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Height of Light
The vertical distance from the water's surface at Mean High Water Springs to the focal plane of a lighthouse's light source.
Height of Light...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Height of Tide
The vertical distance between the water's surface at any given time and the established chart datum, typically the lowest astronomical...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology HelmA ship's steering mechanism. A person who steers a ship.
- General Nautical Terminology HelmsmanThe member of the crew who steers the vessel
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT)
The highest level of sea water that can be predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions and under any combination of astronomical...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Knot Hitch
A knot that attaches a rope to an object, such as a post, ring, or other rope.
A hitch is a versatile and essential knot where securing a rope...
More Details - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter H (Flag Semaphore)
This shape represents the Letter H (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 8 (Flag Semaphore).
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter H (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter H.
- Organisation 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 Hoist
To raise an object vertically, commonly a sail or flag, using a halyard.
It typically uses a system of ropes, cables, pulleys, and sometimes a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Holding TankStorage tank for human waste to avoid fouling inshore waters. Required in most European countries, but not currently UK.
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Horizontal Dilution of Precision (HDOP)
Used in satellite navigation and positioning systems to quantify the accuracy of horizontal position measurements. It is a unitless factor that...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Horseshoe lifebuoyA horseshoe-shaped lifebuoy should be mounted where it can quickly be thrown to a ‘man’ overboard (MOB). The lifebuoy needs to be ready for action... More Details