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Nautical Know How
  • Our Courses

      All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.

    • Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
    • Essential Navigation & SeamanshipA great introduction to navigation and basic seamanship.
    • Day Skipper TheoryMany of the best skippers started their journey here.
    • Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonEssential preparation for the Yachtmaster® practical exam.
    • SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseAn essential course for anyone intending to use a marine radio.
  • Directory

      Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.

    • Places
      Find anywhere nauctical, including marinas u0026 training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
    • Courses
      We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.

    • Nautical Terms & Terminology
      Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
    • Why do we have tides?
      Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
    • What causes our weather?
      A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper u0026 RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
    • Buoyage Flashcards
      Flashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
    • Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)
      Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
    • The Salty Sea Blog
      From salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.
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Nautical Know How
  • Our Courses

      All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.

    • Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
    • Essential Navigation & SeamanshipA great introduction to navigation and basic seamanship.
    • Day Skipper TheoryMany of the best skippers started their journey here.
    • Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonEssential preparation for the Yachtmaster® practical exam.
    • SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseAn essential course for anyone intending to use a marine radio.
  • Directory

      Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.

    • Places
      Find anywhere nauctical, including marinas u0026 training centres. If it exists, we’ve got it listed!
    • Courses
      We help you navigate through the complex world of training and help find what’s best for you.
  • Know-How

      We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.

    • Nautical Terms & Terminology
      Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
    • Why do we have tides?
      Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
    • What causes our weather?
      A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper u0026 RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
    • Buoyage Flashcards
      Flashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
    • Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)
      Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
    • The Salty Sea Blog
      From salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.
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Glossary

AJAX progress indicator
Nautical chart abbreviations are like the secret code of the seas—except instead of buried treasure, they lead to rocks, buoys, and mysterious dashed lines that scream, 'Don’t sail here.' Learning them can feel like cracking a pirate’s encrypted diary, but don’t worry, matey! With clever tools, quirky mnemonics, and a splash of humour, we’ll help you go from 'What’s "FOUL" mean? to confidently navigating the “Wk” wrecks and “Fl G” flashes like a salty sea captain. Think of it as Rosetta Stone, but for avoiding sandbanks!
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Results: 1071
  • Term
    Definition
  • General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Longitude

    The geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface, measured in degrees(°), minutes(') and...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Look-outVisual watch; Member of the crew responsible for keeping it
  • General Nautical Terminology, Navigation LOP

    Navigational lines drawn on a chart, each representing a possible location of a vessel based on a single observation or measurement. 

    A line...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Lose WayA vessel loses way when she slows down and stops in the water
  • General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)

    The lowest level that sea tides can reach under normal meteorological conditions, based on astronomical influences such as the gravitational pull...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Lubber LineThe marker in the compass which is aligned with the fore-and-aft line of the boat against which the course can be read off on the compass card
  • General Nautical Terminology Luff

    The leading edge, which is the part of the sail that faces the wind when the sail is set correctly.

    The luff of a sail is a critical part of...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Luff Up

    To steer a sailing vessel closer to the wind, reducing the angle between the boat's heading and the direction of the wind. 

    "Luff up" is a...

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  • General Nautical Terminology LullA temporary drop in wind speed
  • General Nautical Terminology Magnetic North

    Magnetic North refers to the direction indicated by a magnetic compass, which points towards the Earth’s magnetic north pole. This differs from...

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  • Organisation MAIB

    A UK government agency responsible for investigating marine accidents and incidents to improve maritime safety. Part of the Department for...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Mail SailTo hoist the sails and get under way
  • General Nautical Terminology Mainsail

    The principal and typically largest sail on a sailing vessel, attached to the mainmast and used to harness wind power for propulsion.

    The...

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  • 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...

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  • 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...

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  • General Nautical Terminology, Safety Man Overboard

    A situation where a person has fallen from a vessel into the water, requiring immediate rescue actions. 

    A man overboard situation is one of...

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  • 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...

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  • 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
  • Courses, RYA Marine Radio VHF (SRC)The RYA Marine Radio VHF (SRC) course is a mandatory qualification for anyone operating a marine VHF radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC).... More Details
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