Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Mail SailTo hoist the sails and get under way
- General Nautical Terminology Mainsail
The mainsail is the largest and most important sail on a sailboat, typically located on the mainmast. It is usually triangular and is hoisted up...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Mainsheet Traveller
The mainsheet traveller is a system on a sailboat that allows for adjustment of the mainsheet attachment point along a track that runs across the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Make FastTo secure the vessel with mooring lines to the jetty or to tie up to a buoy
- General Nautical Terminology Making Way
Making way refers to the movement of a vessel through the water under its own power. A vessel making way, is propelling itself forward, either by...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Marina
Marinas are facilities located along the coast or inland waterways providing boats and yacht moorings. They typically offer services such as...
More Details - Organisation Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB)
A UK government agency responsible for investigating marine accidents and incidents to improve maritime safety. Part of the Department for...
More Details - Organisation Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is a UK government agency responsible for implementing maritime safety and environmental policies. It...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
Is a 9 digit unique number that is associated with your specific VHF installation, and really like a digital Call Sign. Think of it as a mobile...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)
A shore-based facility responsible for coordinating and managing maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations within a designated area of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Maritime Safety Information
Defined in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, Chapter IV as "navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology MarkAn object that marks a position
- General Nautical Terminology 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 Mast
A mast is a tall, vertical spar or pole on a sailing vessel that supports the sails and rigging. Masts are typically made of wood, metal, or...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Masthead light
A white, forward facing light exhibited near the masthead by a power-driven vessel underway.
- General Nautical Terminology Mast StepFitting into which the mast heel fits
- General Nautical Terminology MayDayDistress call made when vessel or life is in serious and imminent danger. From the French, M’aider.
- Organisation MCA
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is a UK government agency responsible for implementing maritime safety and environmental policies. It...
More Details - Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Mike (M)
The International Maritime Signal Flag Mike.
Meaning
My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
- General Nautical Terminology Mean High Water Neaps (MHWN)
Mean High Water Neaps (MHWN) refers to the average height of the higher of the two daily high tides that occur during neap tides. Neap tides...
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