Glossary

A line secured at or near the bow of a dinghy or other small boat for towing or making fast.

The painter provides a ready means of securing...

The international radiotelephony urgency signal indicating a very urgent message concerning the safety of a vessel, aircraft, vehicle or...

The international radiotelephony spelling word for the letter P.

It is used to spell call signs, identifiers and words clearly over voice...

A hinged chartwork instrument used to transfer a direction across a chart while keeping the same alignment.

The two straightedges remain...

Abbreviated PSSA.

It is an area needing special protection through action by the International Maritime Organization because of its...

A documented plan for navigating a vessel safely from berth to berth or between defined operational limits.

It is developed through appraisal,...

A voyage or distinct navigational leg made by a vessel between defined places or operational stages.

A passage can be coastal, offshore,...

For a vessel's bow to turn away from the wind.

The expression can describe an intentional helm action or a response to wind, sails, current,...

To release rope, chain, cable or wire progressively under control.

Paying out increases the deployed length of an anchor rode, mooring line,...

An International Code of Signals flag whose single-letter meaning is “In harbour, all persons should report on board as the vessel is about to...

A dimensionless GNSS geometry factor combining horizontal and vertical dilution of precision for three-dimensional position.

PDOP reflects how...

The halyard that raises and supports the outer or peak end of a gaff.

It works with the throat halyard to set the gaff's height and angle....

The code P identifies pebbles as the nature of the seabed.

The one-letter code must be read beside soundings and other bottom notation, where...

A defined degree of capability or reliability required from equipment, a system or a person.

The applicable standard specifies how the level...

The time taken for one complete cycle of its characteristic to repeat.

It is shown in seconds with a lower-case s, for example 10s. The letter...

A rare descriptive term for fine rippling or small wavelets on an otherwise relatively smooth water surface.

It may be used informally for the...

A wearable device that provides buoyancy to help support a person in the water.

PFD is a broad term covering lifejackets, buoyancy aids and...

A portable 406 MHz distress beacon registered to a person and intended to alert search-and-rescue authorities through the Cospas-Sarsat satellite...

An RYA practical course teaching safe and responsible operation of a personal watercraft.

Training covers controls, low- and higher-speed...

A wearable device that provides buoyancy to help support a person in the water.

PFD is a broad term covering lifejackets, buoyancy aids and...