Symbols
27o 7′ 0″ S, 109o 22′ 0″ W
Latitude/longitude
Transcribed with spaces replacing the symbols: 27 7 0S, 109 22 0W
o Degrees of arc
The circumference of the Earth is divided into 360
o, in units of length that vary depending on global position
' Minutes of arc
There are 60 minutes in one degree of arc
" Seconds of arc
There are 60 seconds in one minute of arc
See Wikipedia's
Geographic Coordinate System for details.
Latitude/longitude may also appear in decimal form, eg: -27.11, -109.36.
See Wikipedia's
Decimal degrees article for more information.
13'
' Nautical mile
The
nautical mile is a unit of length that is about one minute of arc of longitude along any meridian.
2600x
x Yard
A unit of length equal to 3 feet or 0.9144 metres
: Abeam
Transcribed as "abeam"
: Abeam port
Transcribed as "abeam port"
: Abeam starboard
Transcribed as "abeam starboard"
: Anchor
(two examples shown)
Transcribed as "anchor"
: Double anchored
Ship anchored with both port and starboard anchors (two examples shown)
Transcribed as "double anchored"
+"age": Anchorage
(two examples shown)
Transcribed as "anchorage"
: Port bower anchor
Transcribed as "port bower anchor"
: Starboard bower anchor
Transcribed as "starboard bower anchor"
: in range
Transcribed as "in range"
A navigation term: "Juxtaposed like a gun-sight such that you know the ship is on a particular line of position. A common piloting technique." (per Kevin Wood)
Example: "a/c SxW1/2W with bluff and stream in
oo"
Φ or φ: Greek letter phi
Aligned with
When one landmark stands in front of another
Average or mean position of sighting multiple or elongated objects
Example: "Aasvogel's Kop φ 4404 feet mountain N3W"
In cartography and navigation, phi denotes latitude
Λ or λ: Greek letter lambda
In cartography and navigation, lambda denotes longitude
: Moon, rise or set location
Usually used to identify a bearings point
Transcribed as "moon"
The same symbol is used morning and evening
: Sun, rise or set location
Usually used to identify a bearings point.
Transcribed as "sun"
The same symbol is used morning and evening
The dotted circle (without the horizon line) sometimes replaces the word 'sun'; for example: "Darken the ship at 'sun' set"
Example of morning reading (sunrise):
Example of evening reading (sunset):
: Star
Usually used to identify a method of obtaining observed Lat/Long
Transcribed as "star/stellar"
May also be shorthand for "starboard" as in "let go starboard anchor"
Example:
: Triangulation point
Usually used to identify a ship's position and attitude while at anchor
Transcribed as "triangulation point"
There is a
definition here in the forum
Example:
NB Editors
~ (tilde): OW transcriber's mark
Indicates an indecipherable letter or number
