Glossary
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TermDefinition
- 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...
More Details - 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...
More Details - 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...
More Details - 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...
More Details - 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...
More Details - 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...
More Details - Organisation MAIB
A UK government agency responsible for investigating marine accidents and incidents to improve maritime safety. Part of the Department for...
More Details - 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...
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, 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...
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 - 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