Glossary
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TermDefinition
- Courses, RYA RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Motor ExamThe Youth Sailing Scheme - Start Sailing Stage 2 builds on the basics introduced in Stage 1. Young sailors refine their steering and sail control... More Details
- Courses, RYA RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal Sail ExamYouth Sailing Scheme - Stage 3 introduces advanced sailing techniques, such as upwind and downwind sailing, alongside improving overall boat... More Details
- Courses, RYA RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean ExamThe RYA Coastal Skipper course prepares experienced sailors for extended coastal passages. Covering advanced navigation, passage planning, and... More Details
- Courses, RYA RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor ExamThe RYA Radar course provides an introduction to using radar systems for marine navigation and safety. Participants learn to interpret radar... More Details
- Courses, RYA RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Sail ExamThe RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory course is tailored for those planning long-distance offshore passages. It delves into celestial navigation,... More Details
- Navigation RYA Training Almanac
Publication compiled to support RYA Theory courses. The RYA Training Almanac contains exerts that mimic Nautical Almanacs in the real world.

- Navigation RYA Training Chart
A specialised, non-navigational chart produced by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) for teaching and practising navigation and chartwork...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation S-100 Universal Hydrographic Data Model
An international standard developed by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) for the management, exchange, and interoperability of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Sacrificial AnodeA zinc plate fastened to the hull to prevent corrosion of metal fittings on the hull
- Courses, RYA Safe and Fun SafeguardingThe RYA Safe and Fun Safeguarding course is an online program aimed at instructors, coaches, and volunteers working with children and vulnerable... More Details
- Courses, RYA Safety BoatThe RYA Safety Boat course is essential for those providing rescue and safety cover for water sports or racing events. Participants learn advanced... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
An international maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for ship construction, equipment, and operation. Its primary goal is to...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Safe Water MarkSee Fairway mark.
- General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (SSHWS)
The Saffir-Simpson Scale is a classification system that categorises hurricanes based on their wind speed and potential for damage. It ranges...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology SaildriveA saildrive is a transmission system from the vessel's inboard engine. It closely resembles an outboard engine but is fixed in place and sticks... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology Sail Drive
A sail drive is a transmission system for a boat whose inboard engine has a horizontal output shaft. The sail drive's input shaft is, therefore,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Sailing Directions
Sailing directions, also known as nautical directions or pilots, are publications that provide detailed information for navigating coastal and...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Sail Locker
A designated storage space aboard a vessel where sails and related equipment are kept when not in use.A sail locker is an essential feature...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Sail TiesLines used to lash a lowered sail to the boom or guardrails to prevent it blowing about
- Weather (Meteorology) Salinity
The concentration of dissolved salts in water, typically measured in parts per thousand (ppt) or practical salinity units (PSU).
Salinity is a...
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