Glossary
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TermDefinition
- 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 PinchTo sail too close to the wind so that the sails lose driving power
- 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 PlotTo find a vessels position by laying off bearings on a chart
- 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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat 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...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat Port Bow
The forward left-hand side of a vessel when facing the bow (front).
The term "port bow" is a specific designation used in nautical contexts to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology PortholeAn aperture on the hull of a vessel that admits light and, sometimes, air
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Portland
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Located off the south coast of England, near Portland Bill in Dorset.
Named for Portland Bill on...
More Details - 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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