CYA UNIFORM NAVIGATION TERMINOLOGY

 

Course: The direction in which a vessel is steered or is intended to be steered (direction through the water).

1. Course to steer: Course to steer to counteract current and leeway
2. Heading (HDG): The direction in which the boat is pointing in any instant.
3. Course To Make Good (CTMG): The course for planning purposes that indicates the intended track from departure to destination.
4. Course Made Good (CMG): The single resultant direction from the point of departure to the point of arrival at any given time.
5. Line of Position (LOP): A plotted line that the vessel is located on at a specific time, which may be based on a distance off, or the bearing of a charted object of known location.
6. Speed (S): The speed of the boat through the water.
7. Speed Made Good (SMG): The speed of the boat achieved over the CMG line.
8. Set (Set): The direction in which the current is flowing.
9. Drift (DFT): The speed (in knots) of the current.
10. Total Drift: Distance between the DR position and Fix for the same time.
11. Symbols, Abbreviations & Labeling:
    a) Headings/ directions: always 3 numbers followed by:
    T= True (default), M= Magnetic, C= Compass
    b) Time: 24 hour clock, ship time used