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NAVIGATION TERMS

BEARING – The bearing is the direction of
an object from one’s own vessel, expressed in
degrees.

1 KNOT – Approximately 1.852 km per hour

PORT AND STARBOARD – Port and
starboard refer to the left and right side of the
ship respectively. Back in the day, cargo was The RSN wished the outgoing CNV, RADM Lai
loaded from the left (or ‘port’ side) when in Chung Han “Fair Winds and Following Seas” as
he handed over the symbol of command.
port, and the steering rudder was fixed to the
right (or ‘starboard’ side, which literally Following seas means the ocean swells are
means the side which the ship was steered). moving in a direction that helps you along to
your goal, instead of fighting your progress. It
SEA STATE – Sea state refers to the is a sailing term, and is basically wishing you
condition of the sea. Sea state ranges from 0, a good journey, with fair winds to fill your
which is calm (glassy), to 9, which is sails, and a following sea, or having the
phenomenally rough with high waves. current in your favor, to push you along.

It’s another way of wishing someone a speedy
trip, from a time when having the wind and
current with you rather than against you could
save you many days of travel time.

"BRAVO ZULU”

Bravo Zulu, also referred to as “BZ,” which is
FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS a naval signal, typically conveyed by flaghoist
or voice radio, meaning “Well Done”. It can
This is an ancient nautical phase that is be combined with the "negative" signal,
usually said as a metaphor for good wishes spoken or written NEGAT, to say "NEGAT
and good luck. Bravo Zulu," or not well done.

In traditional nautical terms fair winds are "Bravo Zulu" actually comes from the Allied
strong enough and in the right direction to get Naval Signal Book (ACP 175 series), an
you where you are trying to go, without being international naval signal code adopted after
dangerous. While foul winds are blowing in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
the wrong direction and/or outright deadly. (NATO) was created in 1949. This was
further institutionalized when it was adopted
into the Governing Groups Table for the
Allied Tactical Publication (ATP) and
subsequently the Multinational Maritime
Tactical Signal and Maneuvering Book
(MTP).