Glossary
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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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Abaft
A position or direction towards the rear (stern) of a vessel relative to a specific point of reference on the boat.
In maritime terminology,...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Nautical Saying Above board
Above board refers to something done openly, honestly, and straightforwardly without deceit or dishonesty. It originates from pirates hiding crew...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Above deck
Above deck refers to the area of a boat or ship located on the main deck or any higher deck levels. This area is typically exposed to the...
More Details - Nautical Saying All at sea
All at sea is a nautical term for a situation where a ship or boat is adrift or lost at sea without any clear direction or sense of location.
- Nautical Saying All at sea
In a broader sense, it can also be used figuratively to describe a person who is confused, disoriented, or unsure about what to do in a...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Nautical Saying Aloof
Aloof originally had a different meaning than its modern-day use to describe someone emotionally distant. In maritime language, Aloof comes from...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Alpha
Alpha represents the letter "A" in the phonetic alphabet system. The NATO phonetic alphabet is used for clear communication of letters and...
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 - 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 - General Nautical Terminology 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...
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