Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology, Safety Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
A compact, portable device used to transmit a distress signal via satellite to alert search and rescue services in emergencies at sea.

A...
More Details - Courses, RYA Personal Watercraft ProficiencyThe RYA Personal Watercraft Proficiency course is designed for jet ski operators, covering essential skills for safe and enjoyable use.... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology, Safety PFD
A piece of equipment designed to assist a person in staying afloat in water by providing buoyancy.A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), commonly...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Phonetic Alphabet
The Phonetic Alphabet, also known as the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet or NATO phonetic alphabet, is a standardised set of words...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology PileA stout timber or metal post driven vertically into the a river or seabed
- General Nautical Terminology PilotAn expert in local waters who assists vessels entering or leaving harbour; An official publication posting details of, for example, local coasts,... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Pilotage
Pilotage is the use of fixed visual references by sight or radar to safely navigate to a destination, usually a port or harbour, with the help of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Pinch
Sailing too close to the wind for the sails to work efficiently.
This reduces drive and may cause the luff of the sail to shake or the vessel...
More Details - Did you know?, Nautical Saying Pipe down
Pipe down is a nautical term meaning to quiet down or cease talking. It is often used as a command on a boat or ship to instruct crew members or...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Pitch
The angle or inclination of a vessel's bow and stern as it moves up and down in response to waves.
Pitch is a critical concept in marine...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Pitch Pole
A capsize where a boat flips longitudinally, usually caused by the bow digging into a wave or sudden deceleration.
A pitch pole is a dramatic...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety PLB
A compact, portable device used to transmit a distress signal via satellite to alert search and rescue services in emergencies at sea.

A...
More Details - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter P (Flag Semaphore)

Flag semaphore indicating the letter P.
- Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter P (Morse Code)
International Morse Code sequence representing the letter P.
- General Nautical Terminology Plot
To chart or mark a course on a nautical chart or map. A marked course or route on a nautical chart, or the act of determining a vessel's position...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Plymouth
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Spans Plymouth Sound and adjacent waters off southwest England.
From Plymouth Sound (“mouth of the...
More Details - 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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology PoopedSwamped by a high, following sea.
- General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat 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...
More Details - 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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