Glossary

An internationally recognised maritime urgency signal used in radio communications to indicate a situation that is urgent but does not pose an...

Pronounced: pah-pah

The term for the letter P in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

A pyrotechnic distress signal that, when launched, ascends to a high altitude before deploying a parachute to slow its descent while emitting a...

A journey or route taken by a vessel from one location to another, often across open water or between specific points such as harbours or...

A detailed, structured navigational strategy outlining the safest and most efficient route for a vessel from departure to destination,...

The action or process of a vessel's bow turning away from the wind, often due to wind or rudder adjustments.

When a vessel "pays off," it is...

The International Maritime Signal Flag Papa.

Meaning

The Blue Peter.
In harbour: All persons should report on board as the vessel is...

Measurement of the geometric strength of satellite configuration in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.

It quantifies the...

The small, gentle ripples or wavelets that form on the surface of the water, typically caused by light winds or minor disturbances.

Perling...

A piece of equipment designed to assist a person in staying afloat in water by providing buoyancy.

A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), commonly...

A compact, portable device used to transmit a distress signal via satellite to alert search and rescue services in emergencies at sea.

A...

A piece of equipment designed to assist a person in staying afloat in water by providing buoyancy.

A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), commonly...

The Phonetic Alphabet, also known as the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet or NATO phonetic alphabet, is a standardised set of words...

Pilotage is the use of fixed visual references by sight or radar to safely navigate to a destination, usually a port or harbour, with the help of...

Pipe down is a nautical term meaning to quiet down or cease talking. It is often used as a command on a boat or ship to instruct crew members or...

The angle or inclination of a vessel's bow and stern as it moves up and down in response to waves.

Pitch is a critical concept in marine...

A capsize where a boat flips longitudinally, usually caused by the bow digging into a wave or sudden deceleration.

A pitch pole is a dramatic...

A compact, portable device used to transmit a distress signal via satellite to alert search and rescue services in emergencies at sea.

A...

Flag semaphore indicating the letter P.

International Morse Code sequence representing the letter P.

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Spans Plymouth Sound and adjacent waters off southwest England.

From Plymouth Sound (“mouth of the...

A pontoon is a flat, buoyant structure used to support a platform, bridge, or boat. It is typically made of metal, plastic, or inflatable...

The left-hand side of a vessel when facing forward towards the bow.

The term "port" is used in maritime navigation to refer to the left side...

A Harbour or docking facility where vessels load and unload cargo or passengers. 

A port is a designated location along a coast, river, or...

The side of a vessel that is perpendicular to its centreline and located on the left-hand side when facing forward towards the bow.

The term...

The forward left-hand side of a vessel when facing the bow (front).

The term "port bow" is a specific designation used in nautical contexts to...

Sea area of the Met Office Shipping Forecast. Located off the south coast of England, near Portland Bill in Dorset.

Named for Portland Bill on...

A navigational tool used in marine chartwork to measure and plot courses, bearings, and distances on nautical charts.

The Portland Plotter...

The aft-left section of a vessel when facing forward, located between the port beam and the stern.

The term "port quarter" is a specific...

The situation in sailing where the wind is coming over the port (left) side of the vessel, and the boom is positioned on the starboard (right)...

Measurement of the geometric strength of satellite configuration in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.

It quantifies the...

The official permission granted to a vessel by port health authorities, allowing it to enter a port and conduct operations after confirming it is...

Any form of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface.

Precipitation is a key...

Pressed into service is the term used to describe the action of the British Navy filling their ships’ crew quotas by kidnapping men off the...

Press gangs were groups of men employed by the British Royal Navy in the 17th to 19th centuries to forcibly recruit individuals into naval...

A line or tackle rigged to the boom or spar to prevent unwanted movement, particularly to stop a boom from swinging dangerously during an...

The zero-degree longitude line that is the starting point for measuring longitude and dividing the Earth into the Eastern and Western...

Standardised words or phrases used in marine radio communication to ensure clarity, reduce misunderstandings, and maintain efficient and safe...

A propeller is a fan-like device that propels a boat or ship through the water by converting rotational motion into thrust. Propellers typically...

A propeller shaft is a long, cylindrical metal shaft that connects the boat's transmission or gearbox to the propeller. It transmits power from...

The lateral movement of a boat's stern caused by the rotational forces of the propeller, typically noticeable when operating at low speeds or in...

The turbulent flow of water generated by a vessel's propeller as it moves through the water, often creating strong currents and turbulence behind...

A raised structure at the bow of a vessel, often made of metal, designed to provide safety for crew members working at the front of the...

A sturdy, protective railing or guardrail located at the stern of a boat, often forming part of the vessel's safety framework.

The pushpit,...

A device or material designed to produce light, heat, smoke, or sound through a chemical reaction, commonly used in marine signalling for...