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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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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 Rigging

    Verb - The process of setting up and adjusting the sails, lines, and other necessary equipment on a boat or ship to ensure it is ready for...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Rigid Inflatable BoatA vessel that has both a solid part and inflatable part to its structure
  • Organisation RINA

    An internationally renowned professional institution representing naval architects and marine engineers worldwide. It was founded in 1860 and is...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Risk of Collision

    The possibility that a collision may occur, usually established by taking a compass bearing of an approaching vessel. Defined in Rule 7 - Risk of...

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  • Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter R (Flag Semaphore)
    Flag semaphore indicating the letter R.

    Flag semaphore indicating the letter R.

  • Morse Code, Signals & Communication Letter R (Morse Code)

    International Morse Code sequence representing the letter R.

  • Organisation RNLI

    The volunteer crewed rescue service providing 24-hour rescue services around the UK and Irish coastline. They also provide seasonal lifeguards...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Rode

    The anchor line or chain used to secure a boat in place by anchoring it to the seabed. The rode typically consists of a combination of rope and...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Roller Furling

    Roller furling is used on sailing boats to roll or unroll a sail, typically the jib or genoa, around a stay to quickly deploy or stow the...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Roller Reef

    A roller reef is a method of reducing sail area on a sailboat by partially rolling or furling the sail around the boom or the headstay. This...

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  • Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Romeo

    Pronounced: ROW-me-oh

    The term for the letter R in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

  • General Nautical Terminology Round UpTo head up into the wind
  • General Nautical Terminology Roving Fender

    A spare fender, held ready by a crew member in case of emergencies.

    A roving fender is a type of fender used on boats and ships to protect the...

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  • Organisation Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)

    The volunteer crewed rescue service providing 24-hour rescue services around the UK and Irish coastline. They also provide seasonal lifeguards...

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  • Organisation Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

    The national governing body for sailing, motorboating, and other recreational boating activities in the United Kingdom. 

    The Royal Yachting...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Rudder

    A rudder is a flat, movable surface attached to the stern of a boat or ship. It is used to steer the vessel by redirecting water flow.

    The...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Rudder StockThe rudder stock houses the mechanism that transfers the movement of the wheel or tiller to the rudder, thereby steering the yacht
  • General Nautical Terminology Run

    A run is the point of sail, directly downwind, with the wind coming from behind the boat (at a 180° angle to the bow). This is the only point of...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Running

    The act of sailing a boat downwind, with the wind coming from astern. 

    Running is one of the main points of sail, where a vessel moves with...

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  • General Nautical Terminology Running Backstay

    A rigging component on a sailboat that helps support the mast. It runs from each lateral corner of the stern to the mast at the level where the...

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