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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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Sign In Join now—it’s Free

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 SOGThe actual speed your vessel is tracking over the seabed
  • General Nautical Terminology 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, Safety SOLAS V

    Chapter V of SOLAS (Safety of life at Sea) refers to the Safety of Navigation for all vessels at sea.

    SOLAS V for pleasure craft

    SOLAS V...

    More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology SoleThe floor of a cabin or cockpit
  • General Nautical Terminology Sole boardsThe vessel's floorboards. Can be lifted to gain access to the bilges.
  • General Nautical Terminology, Morse Code, Safety, Signals & Communication SOS

    The universally recognised distress signal used in maritime communication to indicate an emergency requiring immediate assistance.

    The German...

    More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology SoundTo measure the depth of water
  • General Nautical Terminology SoundingThe depth of water below chart datum
  • General Nautical Terminology Sou’westerA waterproof oilskin hat with a broad brim
  • Flag Semaphore Space (Flag Semaphore)
    Rest (Flag Semaphore)

    This shape indicates a space, usually between words. The same shape is also used for Rest (Flag Semaphore) & Ready (Flag Semaphore).

    More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology Spar

    Any long, sturdy pole or beam used on a ship to support sails, rigging, or other equipment. Spars are typically made of wood, metal, or composite...

    More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology Speed Made GoodThe speed made good over the ground; that is , the boat speed corrected for tidal stream and leeway
  • General Nautical Terminology Speed Over Ground (SOG)The actual speed your vessel is tracking over the seabed
  • General Nautical Terminology Spill WindTo ease the sheets so that the sail is only partly filled by the wind, the rest being spilt
  • General Nautical Terminology Spinnaker

    A large, lightweight, and often colourful sail designed for use when sailing downwind, typically set forward of the mainsail to maximise speed...

    More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology Spinnaker PoleA spar which is used to hold the spinnaker out
  • General Nautical Terminology SpitA projecting shoal or strip of land connected to the shore
  • General Nautical Terminology SpliceTo join lines (ropes, cables, etc.) by unravelling their ends and intertwining them to form a continuous line. To form an eye or a knot by splicing.
  • General Nautical Terminology Sportbootführerschein (SBF)

    A German boating licence required for operating recreational motorboats and sailing vessels above certain power or length limits in German...

    More Details
  • General Nautical Terminology Sportbootführerschein Binnen (SBF Binnen)

    A German boating licence required for operating recreational motorboats and sailing vessels on inland waterways. 

    The Sportbootführerschein...

    More Details
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