Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Make Fast
Securing a rope, line or vessel so it remains held in place.
This is used when attaching mooring lines to cleats, bollards, rings, buoys or...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Making Way
A vessel that is moving through the water under its own power, whether by engine, sail, or other means.
A vessel is said to be "making way"...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Malin
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Located off the north coast of Ireland, near Malin Head.
After Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost...
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
A specially designed harbour or dock where boats and yachts are moored, often offering services such as refuelling, repairs, and...
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
- General Nautical Terminology, Organisation Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
A UK government agency responsible for implementing maritime safety and environmental policies. It oversees the UK’s search and rescue...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
A unique nine-digit number assigned to a vessel, coast station, or group of stations for digital communication and identification in the Global...
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 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 tall vertical spar or structure on a sailing vessel that supports the sails, rigging, and sometimes navigation equipment.
A mast is one of...
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, Safety, Signals & Communication MayDay
An internationally recognised distress signal used in voice communication to indicate a grave or imminent, life-threatening emergency at sea.
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Organisation MCA
A UK government agency responsible for implementing maritime safety and environmental policies. It oversees the UK’s search and rescue...
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.
- Abbreviation, General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Mean High Water Neaps (MHWN)
The average height of high tides during neap tide cycles, which occur when the tidal range is at its smallest.
Mean High Water Neaps (MHWN) is...
More Details - Abbreviation, General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Mean High Water Springs (MHWS)
The average height of the high waters that occur during spring tides, calculated over a specific period of time.
Mean High Water Springs...
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