Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat On the Starboard Bow
Refers to a position or object located forward of the vessel and to the right-hand side when facing the bow (front) of the ship.
"On the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat On the Starboard Quarter
The area of a vessel located towards the rear (aft) on the right-hand side when facing forward.
The phrase "on the starboard quarter" is a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology OOW
The designated officer responsible for the safe navigation and operation of a vessel during their assigned watch period.
The Officer of the...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Oscar
Pronounced: OSS-cah
The term for the letter O in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
- General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Outhaul
A line or tackle system used to adjust the tension and position of the sail's clew along the boom, affecting the sail's shape and...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Overfalls
Rough, disturbed water caused by tidal flow over uneven seabed or conflicting streams.
These areas often form where strong tidal streams pass...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Overhand loop
A loop that crosses on top of the standing part of a rope when tying a knot.
- General Nautical Terminology PainterThe line at the bow of a dinghy
- General Nautical Terminology, Safety, Signals & Communication Pan Pan
An internationally recognised maritime urgency signal used in radio communications to indicate a situation that is urgent but does not pose an...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Papa
Pronounced: pah-pah
The term for the letter P in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.
- General Nautical Terminology, Safety Parachute Flare
A pyrotechnic distress signal that, when launched, ascends to a high altitude before deploying a parachute to slow its descent while emitting a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Parallel RulesNavigational instrument used in conjunction with the compass rose on the chart to transfer bearings and courses to plot a vessel’s position
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation, Safety Passage
A journey or route taken by a vessel from one location to another, often across open water or between specific points such as harbours or...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation, Safety Passage Plan
A detailed, structured navigational strategy outlining the safest and most efficient route for a vessel from departure to destination,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Pay Off
The action or process of a vessel's bow turning away from the wind, often due to wind or rudder adjustments.
When a vessel "pays off," it is...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Pay Out
Letting a rope, line or cable run out under control.
This is used when deploying an anchor rode, easing a mooring line, setting a tow, or...
More Details - Flag / Pennant, Signals & Communication Code Flag Papa (P)

The International Maritime Signal Flag Papa.
Meaning
The Blue Peter.
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In harbour: All persons should report on board as the vessel is... - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation PDOP
Measurement of the geometric strength of satellite configuration in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.
It quantifies the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Perling
The small, gentle ripples or wavelets that form on the surface of the water, typically caused by light winds or minor disturbances.
Perling...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
A piece of equipment designed to assist a person in staying afloat in water by providing buoyancy.A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), commonly...
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