Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
The International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) is an international organisation that aims to promote safe, efficient, and...
More Details - Flag / Pennant, General Nautical Terminology, Signals & Communication International Code of Signals (ICS)
A system of flags, codes, and symbols used by ships to communicate essential messages and ensure safety at sea, regardless of language...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
Established by the IMO, MARPOL is the convention for preventing pollution from ships. It is the main international convention covering the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
An intergovernmental organisation dedicated to ensuring the uniformity and standardisation of hydrographic and nautical charting practices...
More Details - Organisation International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
A specialised agency of the United Nations headquartered in London and responsible for regulating shipping, the IMO has 175 Member States.
The...
More Details - Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication International Maritime Signal Flags
A system of flags ships use to communicate messages, signals, or important information visually. Flags often represent letters, numbers, or...
More Details - Morse Code, Signals & Communication International Morse Code
A standardised system of encoding text characters as sequences of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals) used for communication,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS)
Published by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), they set out, among other things, the "rules of the road" or navigation rules to be...
More Details - Organisation, Signals & Communication International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
A specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating global telecommunication operations and services, including radio...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology IRPCS
Published by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), they set out, among other things, the "rules of the road" or navigation rules to be...
More Details - Organisation ISAF
World Sailing, formerly known as the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), is the governing body for the sport of sailing...
More Details - Light Characteristic Iso
A light where the duration of light and darkness are equal.
Isophase describes a navigational aid that emits a light signal with equal periods...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology IsobarOn a synoptic chart, a line joining points of equal pressure
- General Nautical Terminology Isolated Danger Mark
Buoy or pillar positioned on a dangerous underwater obstruction.
An isolated danger mark is a navigation aid used at sea to indicate a...
More Details - Light Characteristic Isophase (Iso)
A light where the duration of light and darkness are equal.
Isophase describes a navigational aid that emits a light signal with equal periods...
More Details - Organisation, Signals & Communication ITU
A specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating global telecommunication operations and services, including radio...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology JackstayA jackstay is a length of webbing (or on rare occasions a length of wire) which run from the bow to the stern of the vessel. They have sufficient... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology Jammers (see Clutches)Jammers or clutches are used to secure lines that have been tensioned on a winch. The jammer or clutch holds the rope should the winch be needed... More Details
- Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Juliett (J)
The International Maritime Signal Flag Juliett.
Meaning
I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me.
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OR
I am... - General Nautical Terminology Jib
A jib is a triangular sail set at the front of a sailboat or sail-powered vessel. Unlike a genoa, a jib does not extend beyond the mast when...
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