Glossary
-
TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Compass
A navigational instrument that determines direction relative to the Earth’s magnetic poles. It typically consists of a magnetised needle aligning...
More Details - Navigation Compass Add East for True (CADET)
The CADET mnemonic can help remember the corrections needed when converting between True North and Compass North bearings. It assists in...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Compass Rose
A circular diagram on nautical charts and compasses that displays directions relative to true north and magnetic north, often including...
More Details - Courses, RYA Competent CrewThe RYA Competent Crew course introduces beginners to life on board a sailing yacht. Over five days, participants learn essential skills such as... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation, Safety Constant Bearing, Decreasing Range (CBDR)
A navigational situation where two vessels maintain the same relative bearing to each other while the distance between them diminishes, often...
More Details - Abbreviation, General Nautical Terminology Constrained by Draught (CBD)
A vessel whose ability to deviate from its current course is significantly restricted due to the depth of water relative to its draught.
A...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Contour Line
A line on a nautical chart that connects points of equal depth below the water's surface, representing the underwater topography.
A contour...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
The primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time serving as the basis for civil time globally.
Coordinated Universal...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation, Weather (Meteorology) Coriolis Effect
The apparent deflection of moving fluids, such as air or water, caused by the Earth's rotation, influencing large-scale ocean currents and wind...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Cospas-Sarsat System
An international satellite-based search and rescue system that detects and locates distress signals from emergency beacons to assist in maritime,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Course Over Ground (COG)
The actual path a vessel follows over the surface of the Earth, as opposed to its heading or intended course.
Course Over Ground (COG) is a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Course to Steer (CTS)
The compass direction a vessel must follow to reach a planned destination, taking into account the effects of wind, tide, and current. It is not...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Courtesy Ensign
A national flag flown by a visiting vessel in foreign waters as a gesture of respect to the host country.
A courtesy ensign is a flag flown by...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation CPA
Used primarily in maritime and aviation contexts to describe the shortest distance that will be achieved between two moving objects, such as...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat CQR
A type of plough anchor renowned for its hinged shank and ability to reset itself effectively in various seabed conditions.

The CQR...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Parts of a Boat CQR Anchor (CQR)
A type of plough anchor renowned for its hinged shank and ability to reset itself effectively in various seabed conditions.

The CQR...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Crew
The group of individuals who work together on a vessel or ship to operate, maintain, and navigate it. Depending on the type and size of the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Cringle
A cringle is a small metal ring or grommet typically sewn into a sail to provide a point for attaching lines or other rigging. Cringles reinforce...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Cromarty
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Lies off the east coast of Scotland, near the mouth of the Cromarty Firth.
Taking its name from...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Cross Track Error (XTE)
The lateral distance and drift between a vessel's actual position and the intended navigational track or course.
Cross Track Error (XTE) is a...
More Details

