Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Goose-winged
A sailing configuration where a fore-and-aft rigged vessel's sails are set on opposite sides of the boat, typically with the mainsail on one side...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology GPS
The US-based system of satellites, able to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by calculating the time difference for...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Grab RailRails fitted above and below decks to grab at when the vessel heels
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
The mean solar time at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, London, used as a global time standard.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a timekeeping...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) GRIB
A type of data format used in oceanography and meteorology to represent gridded data in a binary form for efficient storage and...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) GRIdded Binary (GRIB)
A type of data format used in oceanography and meteorology to represent gridded data in a binary form for efficient storage and...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology GroundA general term for the anchors, cables and all the gear required when anchoring
- General Nautical Terminology GRP
A composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fine glass fibres, commonly used in marine applications for its strength,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Guard RailSafety line fitted round the vessel to prevent the crew falling overboard
- General Nautical Terminology Guardrail
A safety barrier installed along the edges of a vessel’s deck to prevent crew or passengers from falling overboard.
This essential feature on...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Gunwale
The upper edge or rim of a boat's side, often serving as a structural reinforcement and a mounting point for fittings or equipment.
The term...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Guy
A rope, wire, or chain used to stabilise or secure a mast, spar, or other structure on a vessel by counteracting lateral forces.
A guy is a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Gybe
A gybe (jibe) is a sailing manoeuvre where a boat changes direction by turning its stern through the wind. During a gybe, the wind crosses over...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Gybe-oh!The call to indicate that the helm is being put across to gybe
- General Nautical Terminology Halyard
A line or rope used to hoist or lower a sail, flag, or spar on a boat.
The term "halyard" comes from the phrase "haul yard," which refers to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Hand Bearing Compass
A hand-bearing compass is a portable compass held in the hand that is used to take bearings of objects or landmarks to determine their location...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Hand-held Flare
A hand-held pyrotechnic signalling device that produces a bright light and smoke when ignited, used for distress signalling at sea.
Hand-held...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Handrail
A handrail is a rail designed to be grasped by the hand for support and stability. On a typical sailing yacht, one is usually mounted on the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Handy BillyA loose block and tackle with a hook or tail on each end, which can be used wherever it is needed. Usually made up of one single and one double block.
- General Nautical Terminology Hank
A fitting or clip used to attach a sail, typically a headsail, to a stay or forestay on a sailing vessel.
A hank is a small, often metal or...
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