Glossary
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TermDefinition
- Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Alpha
Pronounced: AL-far
Letter "A" in the phonetic alphabet system.
- General Nautical Terminology Amidships
The central part of a vessel, both longitudinally and laterally, located between the bow and stern.
Amidships is a crucial term in nautical...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Anchor
A heavy object, typically made of metal, attached to a vessel by a chain or rope.
It keeps the vessel in place by holding it firmly to the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology AnchorageA good (usually charted) location to drop anchor
- General Nautical Terminology Anchor AweighThe point at which and anchor breaks out (is broken out) of the sea bed when it is being hauled in. Shouts ‘Anchor’s aweigh’
- General Nautical Terminology Anchor BallRound black shape hoisted in forepart of vessel to show it is anchored.
- General Nautical Terminology Anchor BuoyA small buoy attached by a rope to the anchor which enables you to see where your anchor is lying on the sea bed
- General Nautical Terminology Anchor CableChain or rope connection between a vessel and her anchor
- General Nautical Terminology Anchor LightAn all-round white light to indicate a vessel is at anchor
- General Nautical Terminology Anchor LockerA locker where the anchor and anchor chain and rope are stowed
- General Nautical Terminology Anchor Roller
An anchor roller is a device typically mounted at the bow of a boat that guides the anchor rode as the anchor is raised or lowered. It helps...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Angle of Vanishing Stability (AVS)
The Angle of Vanishing Stability (AVS) refers to the maximum angle at which a vessel can heel (lean to one side) before it loses its ability to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology AntifoulPaint applied to hull below waterline to discourage dirt and wildlife attaching and slowing your progress. Has environmental implications
- General Nautical Terminology Apparent WindThe wind we feel. If the true wind is hitting the boat on the beam or in front of the beam the apparent wind will be situated between the boat... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology AshoreOn the land; or aground
- General Nautical Terminology AsternThe area behind the stern (back) of the vessel
- Nautical Saying At loggerheads
At loggerheads is a nautical term referring to two ships positioned with their respective loggers (wooden blocks used for securing the ship's...
More Details - Flag Semaphore Attention (Flag Semaphore)
This shape is used to gain the receiver's attention and is used at the beginning of a transmission. The message recipient responds with the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Automatic Identification System (AIS)
An automatic tracking system used on ships and by vessel traffic services (VTS). AIS works over VHF and supplements marine radar, which continues...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is a self-propelled, unmanned underwater vehicle capable of operating independently without direct human...
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