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, Navigation Latitude
The angular distance of a location on Earth's surface, measured in degrees(°), minutes('), and seconds('') north or south of the equator which is...
More Details - Flags, Signals & Communication Letter A (Code Flag Alpha)
In international waters, under the International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, the Alpha Flag signifies, "I have a diver down;...
More Details - Phonetic Alphabet, Signals & Communication Letter A (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 - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter A (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter A. This shape represents both the Letter A (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 1 (Flag Semaphore).
The...
More Details - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter B (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter B. This shape represents both the Letter B (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 2 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter C (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter C. This shape represents both the Letter C (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 3 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter D (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter B. This shape represents both the Letter B (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 2 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter E (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter E. This shape represents both the Letter E (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 5 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter F (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter F. This shape represents both the Letter F (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 6 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter G (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter G. This shape represents both the Letter G (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 7 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter H (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter H. This shape represents both the Letter H (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 8 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter I (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter I. This shape represents both the Letter I (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 9 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter J (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter J. It also indicates a transition from letters to numbers when communicating a message.
The letters...
More Details - Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter K (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter K. This shape represents both the Letter K (Flag Semaphore) and the Number 0 (Flag Semaphore).
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter L (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter L.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter M (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter M.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter N (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter N.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter O (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter O.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter P (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter P.
- Flag Semaphore, Signals & Communication Letter Q (Flag Semaphore)
Flag semaphore indicating the letter Q.