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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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Sign In Join now—it’s Free

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 PlotTo find a vessels position by laying off bearings on a chart
  • General Nautical Terminology Pontoon

    A pontoon is a flat, buoyant structure used to support a platform, bridge, or boat. It is typically made of metal, plastic, or inflatable...

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  • General Nautical Terminology PoopedSwamped by a high, following sea.
  • General Nautical Terminology Port

    The left-hand side of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

    The term "port" is used in maritime navigation to refer to the left side...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Port

    A Harbour or docking facility where vessels load and unload cargo or passengers. 

    A port is a designated location along a coast, river, or...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Port Beam

    The side of a vessel that is perpendicular to its centreline and located on the left-hand side when facing forward towards the bow.

    The term...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Port BowThe port (left) side of the vessel close to the bow (front)
  • General Nautical Terminology PortholeAn aperture on the hull of a vessel that admits light and, sometimes, air
  • General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Portland Plotter

    A navigational tool used in marine chartwork to measure and plot courses, bearings, and distances on nautical charts.

    The Portland Plotter...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Port of RegistryThe port listed in a vessel’s registration documents and lettered on her stern
  • General Nautical Terminology Port QuarterThe back (stern) left (port) side of the vessel
  • General Nautical Terminology Port Tack

    The situation in sailing where the wind is coming over the port (left) side of the vessel, and the boom is positioned on the starboard (right)...

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  • General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP)

    Measurement of the geometric strength of satellite configuration in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.

    It quantifies the...

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  • Courses, RYA Powerboat AdvancedThe RYA Powerboat Advanced course is designed for experienced powerboaters operating in challenging conditions, including night navigation.... More Details
  • Courses, RYA Powerboat IntermediateThe RYA Powerboat Intermediate course bridges the gap between Level 2 and advanced powerboating. Participants learn navigation, passage planning,... More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology Pratique

    Permission granted to a ship to have dealings with a port, given after quarantine or on showing a clean bill of health.

  • General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Precipitation

    Precipitation refers to any form of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. This can...

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  • Did you know?, Nautical Saying Pressed into service

    Pressed into service is the term used to describe the action of the British Navy filling their ships’ crew quotas by kidnapping men off the...

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  • Did you know?, Nautical Saying Press Gangs

    Press gangs were groups of men employed by the British Royal Navy in the 17th to 19th centuries to forcibly recruit individuals into naval...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Prevailing WindThe wind direction that occurs most frequently at a place over a certain period
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