Glossary
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TermDefinition
- General Nautical Terminology, Navigation Magnetic North
The direction towards the Earth's magnetic north pole, where a compass needle points, which differs from true geographic north.
Magnetic North...
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 Sail
Raising sail and getting under way using sail power.
This appears to be an unusual or possibly local expression, and may be intended to refer...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Mainsail
The principal and typically largest sail on a sailing vessel, attached to the mainmast and used to harness wind power for propulsion.
The...
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 Fast
Securing a rope, line or vessel so it remains held in place.
This is used when attaching mooring lines to cleats, bollards, rings, buoys or...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Making Way
A vessel that is moving through the water under its own power, whether by engine, sail, or other means.
A vessel is said to be "making way"...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Weather (Meteorology) Malin
Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Located off the north coast of Ireland, near Malin Head.
After Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Man Overboard
A situation where a person has fallen from a vessel into the water, requiring immediate rescue actions.
A man overboard situation is one of...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology Marina
A specially designed harbour or dock where boats and yachts are moored, often offering services such as refuelling, repairs, and...
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 - Courses, RYA Marine Radio VHF (SRC)The RYA Marine Radio VHF (SRC) course is a mandatory qualification for anyone operating a marine VHF radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC).... More Details
- General Nautical Terminology, Organisation Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
A UK government agency responsible for implementing maritime safety and environmental policies. It oversees the UK’s search and rescue...
More Details - General Nautical Terminology, Safety Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
A unique nine-digit number assigned to a vessel, coast station, or group of stations for digital communication and identification in the Global...
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 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 tall vertical spar or structure on a sailing vessel that supports the sails, rigging, and sometimes navigation equipment.
A mast is one of...
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

