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Browse Nav terms for maritime professionals.

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Accusé de réception de l’ordre de barre

The required verbal response by the helmsman to confirm receipt and understanding of a helm order from the officer of the watch.

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Affichage de carte vectorielle

An electronic navigational chart presented in vector format, enabling interactive layers and detailed, scalable map features for navigation and route planning.

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Affichage superposé radar

The presentation of radar information directly on the electronic chart display, enabling visual correlation of radar targets with charted features.

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Alarme de Mise en Virage

An electronic or mechanical alarm that notifies the bridge team when it is time to initiate the wheel-over manoeuvre, usually at a pre-set waypoint or heading.

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Alarme de surveillance d’intégrité

An alarm signaling a failure or inconsistency detected in the position integrity monitoring system, requiring immediate action.

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Alarme de séquencement de point de route

An alarm on navigation systems indicating failure to automatically advance to the next waypoint as programmed in the voyage plan.

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Alignement de la Ligne Centrale du Chenal

The practice of steering a vessel so that its longitudinal axis remains aligned with the designated navigational centreline of a fairway, as marked by buoys, lights, or electronic aids.

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Alignement Feux de Relèvement

The navigation technique of steering a vessel so that two range lights, one behind the other, appear vertically aligned, indicating the vessel is on the safe channel axis.

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Alignement Feux d’Alignement

The process of navigating a vessel by visually aligning two or more fixed leading lights (range lights), ensuring the vessel remains on the recommended channel course.

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Arrêtez les machines principales

Engine telegraph order to cease all propulsion; used when vessel is to remain stationary or fully secured at berth.

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Barre au milieu

Helm order to bring the rudder to the midships (zero angle) position, aligning with the vessel’s centerline.

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Bassin de Virage du Chenal

A designated widened section of a navigational fairway, specifically constructed to allow vessels to safely turn or change direction under pilotage or tug assistance.

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Calcul de la fenêtre de marée

The process of determining the optimal period based on tidal height during which a vessel can safely transit shallow waters or cross a bar.

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Carnet de manœuvre de passerelle

A logbook kept on the bridge for recording all manoeuvring orders, engine telegraph movements, helm commands, and critical events during a vessel's navigation and docking.

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Changement d’appareil à gouverner

The act of switching from one steering gear system or power unit to another, often for redundancy or in case of equipment failure.

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Cloche avant lente

The engine telegraph order for slow speed ahead, typically used during precise manoeuvring, docking, or when entering confined waters.

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Cloche demi avant

Engine telegraph order instructing propulsion at half engine speed ahead, used for moderate manoeuvring or departure from berth.

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Cloche toute avant

Engine telegraph order instructing propulsion at full engine speed ahead, typically used in open sea or to quickly gain speed.

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Commande de marche arrière de l’ancre

The controlled paying out of anchor chain in reverse (walkback) under power, used for precise anchor positioning or retrieval.

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Confirmation de l’ancre levée

The formal notification to the bridge or engine room that the anchor is clear of the seabed and ship is free to maneuver.

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Connecteur pilote actif

An active data connection port on the bridge that provides real-time navigational data from the ship's ECDIS or AIS system for the pilot’s portable unit.

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Connexion Remorqueur d’Escorte

The established secured line or method by which an escort tug is physically connected to a vessel, typically for controlling or assisting the ship during harbour or restricted water navigation.

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Contrôle de la vitesse de manœuvre

The process of verifying and confirming the vessel’s speed through the water is suitable for safe manoeuvring during berthing, departure, or restricted navigation.

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Contrôlez la giration

Helm or mooring order to observe and, if necessary, limit or arrest the vessel's swinging motion, especially when turning or anchoring.

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Correction de la poussée transversale

The adjustment applied to helm or engine orders to compensate for the sideways force exerted by a propeller, especially during astern or ahead movements.

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Couloir de Trafic Recommandé

A charted route within a traffic separation scheme or recommended track designed for the safe passage of vessels, but not compulsory. Usage reduces collision risk.

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Courant (direction et dérive)

The direction (set) and speed (drift) of water current affecting the ship’s course and position.

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Diamètre du cercle de giration

The distance perpendicular to the original track between tangents of the vessel’s path when executing a steady-turn at a given rudder angle and speed, usually expressed in ship lengths or cables.

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Dispositif de Séparation du Trafic

An internationally recognized routing measure that separates opposing streams of vessel traffic by defined lanes and rules to reduce collision risk in busy or restricted waters.

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Disposition de l'affichage de conduite

The arrangement of navigation and maneuvering information shown on the conning display for optimal bridge decision-making and situational awareness.

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Distance dégagée en arrière

The available unobstructed distance behind the vessel, critical for manoeuvring astern.

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Débarquement du pilote de port

The controlled process by which the harbour pilot safely leaves the vessel after completing the inbound or outbound passage.

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Décalage d’Écho Radar

The adjustment of the radar image to compensate for systematic error or offset, ensuring true target positions correspond to their charted locations and improving navigation accuracy.

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Défaillance de la référence de cap

A malfunction or loss of accuracy in the ship’s heading reference system, such as gyro or magnetic compass, affecting navigation and safe maneuvering.

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Effet de coussin de berge

Hydrodynamic phenomenon where water pressure between a vessel and a nearby bank creates a cushion, pushing the bow away from the bank.

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Effet de la surface exposée au vent

The influence of the ship’s exposed surface area above the waterline, causing increased drift or leeway under wind pressure.

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Effet d’aspiration de berge

Hydrodynamic phenomenon where a vessel navigating close to a bank experiences a suction force pulling the vessel toward the bank due to water velocity difference.

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Embarquement du pilote de port

The procedure for safely boarding the harbour pilot at sea or at the entrance of the port using a pilot ladder or launch.

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En arrière très lente

Engine telegraph order instructing propulsion at the lowest possible speed astern, used for delicate reversing or while manoeuvring in tight spaces.

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En avant très lente

Engine telegraph order instructing propulsion at the lowest possible speed ahead, used for delicate manoeuvring or congested areas.

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En veille, machines principales

Order for main engines to be ready for immediate use, typically before departure, arrival, or manoeuvring.

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Enregistrement audio passerelle

Continuous audio recording of all conversations and alarms on the bridge as mandated by SOLAS for investigation and safety compliance.

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Erreur de déviation de route

The perpendicular distance between a vessel's actual position and the planned track line, used for navigation accuracy.

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Erreur de gyrocompas

An inaccuracy or malfunction of the ship’s gyro compass, resulting in incorrect heading information displayed to bridge equipment.

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Estimation de l’angle de dérive

The calculated or visually assessed angle between a vessel’s heading and actual course over ground, caused by wind or current.

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Fix de position satellite

A position determined using satellite navigation signals, typically from systems like GPS or GLONASS, used for precise ship positioning.

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Garde d’air

The vertical distance from the waterline to the highest point of the vessel, used to determine safe passage under bridges or overhead obstacles.

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Garde libre sous le pont

The vertical distance between the lowest part of the bridge span and the highest point of the vessel, ensuring safe passage.

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Garde sous quille

Vertical distance between the lowest point of a vessel’s keel and the seabed referenced to chart datum; the key safety margin preventing grounding.

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Gestion des ressources de la passerelle

The effective use and coordination of all available bridge resources—personnel, equipment, and information—to ensure safe navigation and vessel operation.

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Ligne de distance électronique

A digital tool on radar/ECDIS allowing navigators to set and measure a precise distance from own ship to a selected point or target.

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Ligne de relèvement électronique

A digital navigational tool on ECDIS or radar for plotting and monitoring bearings to fixed or moving targets, improving situational awareness.

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Ligne de wheel-over

A track line shown on chart or radar which, when crossed, indicates the precise moment to start the wheel-over so that the intended new course is met accurately.

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Ligne d’indexation parallèle

A radar-derived reference line drawn parallel to the vessel's intended track, used to monitor cross-track error by keeping a chosen land echo or seamark at a constant offset.

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Limite de Vitesse au Port

The officially published maximum speed permitted for vessels within a designated harbour or port area, set by local authorities to ensure safety of navigation and infrastructure.

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Lâchez la garde tribord

Mooring command to release or cast off the starboard (right) mooring line or cable.

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Lâchez tout

Final order to release all mooring lines, allowing the vessel to depart from berth.

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Manuel de Tracés Radar

A publication or onboard manual containing standardized instructions, techniques, and worksheets for manually plotting radar targets to assess collision risk and avoidance actions.

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Marge d'effet squat

The additional draught margin applied to account for the increased draught of a vessel due to the squat effect in shallow water.

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Marge de tirant d'eau dynamique

An additional draught margin included to account for dynamic effects such as squat, trim, and vessel movement in shallow waters.

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Marque d’eaux sûres

IALA buoyage mark indicating there is navigable water all around the mark.

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Mettez une garde simple

Order to reduce the number of mooring lines on each bollard to one, preparing the vessel for departure.

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Méthode d’indexation parallèle

A radar navigation technique in which fixed radar echoes are kept on predetermined parallel lines to verify the vessel remains on its planned track without constant position fixing.

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Pavillon de remorquage d’urgence

A strong wire or rope rigged at bow or stern, readily accessible for emergency towing if the vessel becomes disabled.

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Plan de passage de pilotage

A detailed route plan, prepared jointly by the master and pilot, outlining intended track, waypoints, speed, and manoeuvres for the pilotage operation.

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Plan d’allocation des remorqueurs

A detailed arrangement indicating the number, type, and position of tugs assigned to assist a vessel during berthing, unberthing, or transit in restricted waters.

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Point de changement de cap

The charted position at which the rudder is first applied to initiate a planned course alteration so that the vessel follows the intended turning track.

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Point de changement de cap

A precisely charted position where a ship is required to change its course, usually as part of a passage plan.

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Point de Rapport VTS

A specifically designated geographical position where a vessel is required to contact and report to the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) with position, status, and intentions.

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Position Remorqueur d’Arrière

The designated location of a tug at the stern of a vessel, used to provide pulling or braking force during manoeuvring, berthing, or unberthing operations.

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Position Remorqueur d’Avant

The assigned and maintained location of a tug at the bow of a vessel to provide pushing, pulling, or steering assistance during berthing, unberthing, or manoeuvring in confined waters.

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Poste de barre de secours

A dedicated station—usually aft in the steering gear room—used to control the ship’s steering in the event of bridge steering failure.

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Procédure de transfert de la barre

The standardised method for transferring control of the ship’s steering from one helm station or operator to another, ensuring continuous and safe steering.

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Profondeur de conception du chenal

The minimum depth of a navigational channel as determined and maintained by authorities for safe passage of vessels, referenced to chart datum.

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Redressez

Helm order given to check the vessel’s swing and prevent further turning, typically after a large rudder movement.

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Relèvement terrestre

A position established by bearings or distances to known land features or aids to navigation, not using satellites.

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Route effectivement suivie

The actual path of a vessel over the ground, as determined by position fixes, regardless of set or drift.

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Route en Eaux Profondes

A route within defined limits in deep water that is charted and designated for the passage of vessels requiring deep draught, providing safe clearance from underwater hazards.

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Réduisez à cinq

Helm order instructing the helmsman to reduce rudder angle to five degrees while maintaining course adjustment.

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Surveillance de l’intégrité de la position

Continuous verification of the reliability and accuracy of the ship’s position as provided by navigation systems.

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Système de Rapport Obligatoire

A regulatory system requiring vessels to provide voyage information at specified locations or intervals, typically enforced by local or international authorities for traffic monitoring and safety.

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Système mondial de navigation

A satellite-based navigation system such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, or BeiDou, providing worldwide position, navigation, and timing services to vessels.

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Table d’avance et de transfert

A manoeuvring aid providing predicted advance (distance along original track) and transfer (lateral distance) for specific speeds and rudder angles to plan safe turns.

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Taux de Rotation

The speed at which a vessel changes its heading, typically measured in degrees per minute and displayed on the bridge instrument panel.

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Toute à bâbord

Helm order instructing the rudder to be put fully to port (left) for maximum turning effect.

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Toute à tribord

Helm order instructing the rudder to be put fully to starboard (right) for maximum turning effect.

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Trace effectivement suivie

The actual path a vessel follows over the ground, as recorded by position fixes, often used interchangeably with course made good.

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Tracés Radar Automatiques

The process by which radar targets are tracked and collision risk assessed automatically by ARPA systems, displaying real-time information on target movements and CPA/TCPA.

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Variation du compas magnétique

The angular difference between true north and magnetic north, affecting compass readings on board ships.

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Veille de navigation à la passerelle

A continuous period during which designated officers and crew maintain vigilance and operational control on the bridge to ensure the vessel’s safe navigation.

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Vitesse de relevage de l’ancre

The speed at which the anchor cable is hauled in, usually measured in meters per minute, to control anchor recovery.

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Vitesse minimale de barre

The lowest speed at which the vessel maintains effective steering control, typically specified by the vessel’s maneuvering data.

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Vitesse minimale de décrochage

The lowest speed required to break the anchor free from the seabed and commence recovery.

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Zone de Précaution

A defined area where vessels must navigate with particular caution, often due to traffic convergence, hazards, or complex navigation conditions. Special rules or recommendations may apply.

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Zone de Trafic Côtier

A coastal area, adjacent to the landward side of a traffic separation scheme, intended for use by vessels not using the main traffic lanes, such as local or smaller craft.

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Zone d’embarquement du pilote

A designated area, marked on charts, where the pilot boards or disembarks from a vessel, usually at port approaches or fairway entrances.

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Zone d’Interdiction de Dépassement

A defined sector of a channel or waterway where overtaking by vessels is prohibited for safety reasons, often due to restricted width or high traffic density.

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Échange capitaine-pilote

A formal communication process between the ship’s master and the pilot to share essential navigation information, plans, and local hazards before pilotage.

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Échelle de pilote en place

A pilot ladder correctly secured and deployed over the ship’s side, ready for safe boarding or disembarkation of the pilot as per SOLAS standards.

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