Glossary

Electronic navigation standards for commercial vessels less than 24m .

Equipment meeting the requirements of this performance standard is...

A set of internationally agreed-upon phrases used to ensure clear, concise, and unambiguous communication at sea, particularly between vessels...

Preparing a vessel and its equipment for heavy weather or secure rest.

This normally involves securing loose gear, reducing exposed canvas,...

The actual velocity of a vessel relative to the Earth's surface, accounting for the effects of currents, tides, and other environmental...

An international maritime treaty that sets minimum safety standards for ship construction, equipment, and operation. Its primary goal is to...

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...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Covers Sole Bank in the eastern Bay of Biscay off the French coast.

From the Sole Bank, famed...

The flat, horizontal planks or panels that form the flooring of a boat's interior, typically installed over the bilge area to provide a stable...

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

The German...

A relatively narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water or separates a mainland from an island.

A sound is a geographical...

The measurement of the depth of water, typically using a lead line or modern electronic equipment.

Sounding is a traditional maritime practice...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Located southeast of Iceland in the North Atlantic.

Southeast Iceland covers waters renamed from...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Situated in the North Sea, south of Utsira Island off the west coast of Norway.

Also named for...

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

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...

The speed achieved along the intended track over the ground.

This accounts for the effect of tide, leeway and the vessel’s actual movement...

The actual velocity of a vessel relative to the Earth's surface, accounting for the effects of currents, tides, and other environmental...

The velocity at which a vessel moves relative to the water it is travelling through, excluding the effects of current or tidal flow.

Speed...