Landfall

The event of a vessel sighting or reaching land after a voyage at sea.

Landfall is a term used in the maritime world to describe the moment when a ship or boat first sights land after being at sea, or when it arrives at a specific coastal destination. This term is significant in navigation, as it often marks the successful completion of a leg of a journey or the approach to a port, harbour, or anchorage. Historically, landfall was a critical event for sailors, especially during the age of exploration, as it signified the culmination of long voyages across open water, often guided by celestial navigation, charts, and compasses. 

In modern maritime practice, making landfall is still an important milestone, though it is now aided by advanced technologies such as GPS, radar, and electronic chart systems. Mariners must prepare for landfall carefully, ensuring that they have accurate information about the coastline, tides, currents, and any potential hazards such as reefs, shoals, or shipping lanes. The process often involves vigilant lookout duties, precise chart plotting, and radio communication with coastal authorities or harbourmasters to ensure a safe approach.

Landfall can also carry a sense of emotional significance, as it often represents relief, accomplishment, or the anticipation of reaching a new destination. For sailors on long passages, the sight of land after days or weeks at sea can be both a practical and psychological milestone, symbolising safety, rest, and the end of isolation on the open water.