Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology Magnetic North
Magnetic North refers to the direction indicated by a magnetic compass, which points towards the Earth’s magnetic north pole. This differs from...
More Details - Organisation MAIB
A UK government agency responsible for investigating marine accidents and incidents to improve maritime safety. Part of the Department for...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Mail SailTo hoist the sails and get under way
- General Nautical Terminology Mainsail
The mainsail is the largest and most important sail on a sailboat, typically located on the mainmast. It is usually triangular and is hoisted up...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Mainsheet Traveller
The mainsheet traveller is a system on a sailboat that allows for adjustment of the mainsheet attachment point along a track that runs across the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Make FastTo secure the vessel with mooring lines to the jetty or to tie up to a buoy
- General Nautical Terminology Making Way
Making way refers to the movement of a vessel through the water under its own power. A vessel making way, is propelling itself forward, either by...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Marina
Marinas are facilities located along the coast or inland waterways providing boats and yacht moorings. They typically offer services such as...
More Details - Organisation Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB)
A UK government agency responsible for investigating marine accidents and incidents to improve maritime safety. Part of the Department for...
More Details - Organisation Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is a UK government agency responsible for implementing maritime safety and environmental policies. It...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
Is a 9 digit unique number that is associated with your specific VHF installation, and really like a digital Call Sign. Think of it as a mobile...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)
A shore-based facility responsible for coordinating and managing maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations within a designated area of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Maritime Safety Information
Defined in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, Chapter IV as "navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology MarkAn object that marks a position
- General Nautical Terminology MARPOL
Established by the IMO, MARPOL is the convention for preventing pollution from ships. It is the main international convention covering the...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Mast
A mast is a tall, vertical spar or pole on a sailing vessel that supports the sails and rigging. Masts are typically made of wood, metal, or...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Masthead light
A white, forward facing light exhibited near the masthead by a power-driven vessel underway.
- General Nautical Terminology Mast StepFitting into which the mast heel fits
- General Nautical Terminology MayDayDistress call made when vessel or life is in serious and imminent danger. From the French, M’aider.
- Organisation MCA
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is a UK government agency responsible for implementing maritime safety and environmental policies. It...
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