Glossary
A
LFA
Anchor
(Safety & Survival)
A device used to connect
a vessel to the bed of a body of water to
prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or
current.
Anchor: Line
Length
(Safety & Survival)
The overall length of
both the chain and/or rope attached to the
anchor.
B
RAVO
Bell
(Safety & Survival)
A sound producing device
used in periods of reduced visibility or
whenever a vessel operator needs to signal their
intention or position (See Horn,
Whistle).
Boating
Emergency Guide
(USCG Float Plan –
Boating Emergency Guide)
The instructions used to
guide and direct the person holding the float
plan (the “Holder”) on what to do if the persons
onboard do not return or check-in as planned.
C
HARLIE
Cell / Satellite
(Vessel)
Identifies the phone
number, of either a cellular or satellite
telephone, that can be used to contact the one
of the persons onboard the vessel during the
voyage. It is important to note that the
Coast Guard does not advocate cellular or
satellite phones as a substitute for the regular
maritime radio distress and safety systems
recognized by the Federal Communications
Commission and the International Radio
Regulations -- particularly VHF maritime radio.
However, cellular or satellite phones can have a
place onboard as an added measure of safety.
Charts
(Vessel)
A printed or electronic
geographic representation generally showing
depths of water, aids to navigation, dangers,
and adjacent land features useful to mariners
(See Nautical Chart).
City
(Persons Onboard)
The name of the city or
town where the person lives that will be
operating the vessel.
Color
(Vessel)
Identify the primary
color of the vessel’s hull and superstructure,
including any graphics that decorate the hull or
superstructure.
Contact 1
(Contacts)
The name and phone
number of the primary contact at the site where
the vessel will be launched and recovered.
Typically a marina operator, but may also be a
Park Ranger office, county Sheriff office, or a
local resident in the immediate area.
Contact 2
(Contacts)
The name and phone
number of a secondary contact such as a Park
Ranger office, county Sheriff in the area of the
launch site. On a long voyage, it may be a
marina operator or other person at the
destination point, thus providing contacts at
both ends of the trip.
Compass
(Vessel)
A navigation instrument
for determining direction, either magnetic
(showing magnetic north) or gyro (showing true
north), that is installed or carried onboard the
vessel.
D
ELTA
Depth Sounder
(Vessel)
A depth sounder
indicates how deep the water is so you can avoid
running aground, can set your anchor with proper
scope, and can navigate more accurately.
Transducers, similar to those of a fishfinder,
gather depth and speed information and pass it
to connected displays.
Dewatering
device
(Safety & Survival)
A device designed to
help remove water from inside compartments of a
vessel. Water located high in the vessel,
or sufficiently off-center should be removed
first to restore the vessel’s stability.
Used to prevent sinking, capsizing or listing.
DGPS
(Vessel)
Differential Global
Positioning System (DGPS) is an enhancement to
Global Positioning System that provides improved
location accuracy, from the 15-meter nominal GPS
accuracy to about 10 cm in case of the best
implementations (See GPS).
Dinghy
(Vessel)
A small boat carried on
or towed behind vessel as a tender or a
lifeboat.
Document /
Registration No.
(Vessel)
The certificate of
documentation number issued when the vessel was
documented, or the state registration number
displayed on the port and starboard side of the
vessel’s bow.
Certificate of
Documentation
–
Issued by the Coast Guard, it serves as evidence
of ownership and indicates all trade
endorsements under which the vessel is entitled
to operate. The certificate must remain on
the vessel whenever it is operational for
presentation to law enforcement officials.
State Registration
Number
–
Number issued by a state issuing authority for
the purposes of identifying a vessel as found on
the vessel registration. This does not
include an official number issued by the Coast
Guard for documentation purposes.
Draft
(Vessel)
The draft (or draught)
of a vessel's hull is the vertical distance
between the waterline and the bottom of the hull
(keel), with the thickness of the hull included.
Draft determines the minimum depth of water the
vessel can safely navigate--expressed in feet or
inches.
DSC MMSI No.
(Vessel)
The Digital Selective
Calling (DSC) Maritime Mobile Service Identity
(MMSI) number is the nine digit number used by
maritime (DSC) equipment to uniquely identify a
vessel or a shore radio station.
DSC is a technique using
digital codes which enables a radio station to
establish contact with, and transfer information
to, another station or group of stations.
It is essential that all vessels with DSC radios
obtain an MMSI number, and have it programmed
into the radio. Recreational boaters that
purchase DSC radios are required to do this
before using the DSC functions of these radios.
E
CHO
E-mail
(Vessel)
The e-mail address used
to contact the vessel operator, if they will
have the ability to receive such messages
onboard.
Electronic
Distress Light
(Safety & Survival)
This is an alternative
to flares for recreational boats. It is
required to automatically flash S-O-S.
EPIRB: UIN
(Safety & Survival)
EPIRB is an acronym for
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, a
device, usually carried aboard a vessel that
transmits a signal that alerts search and rescue
authorities and enables rescue units to locate
the scene of the distress.
The UIN is Unique
Identification Number stored inside each 406 MHz
distress radio beacon (EPIRB and PLB).
This 15 digit number enables the distress radio
beacon to be uniquely identified.
Exposure suits
(Safety & Survival)
An exposure or immersion
suit (also known as a survival suit) is worn
when abandoning ship, providing flotation as
well as excellent hypothermia protection.
It is a one-piece international orange garment
constructed of nylon-lined neoprene or polyvinyl
chloride foam. It is also equipped with an
inflatable pillow to help keep the wearer’s head
out of the water. The suit has a built-in
hood, boots, and gloves. The immersion
suit is designed as one size fits all.
F
OXTROT
Fire
Extinguisher
(Safety & Survival)
A portable apparatus for
putting out small fires by ejecting
extinguishing chemicals or gas (Contact your
local USCG Auxiliary Flotilla or see Virtual VSC
for more information about fire extinguishers
for your vessel).
Flag
(Safety & Survival)
An orange flag with a
black square above a black circle. The
flag is at least 90 cm x 90 cm (3 ft x 3 ft),
with grommets at each corner to allow it to be
hung or flown. Other arrangements have
also been accepted in kite or balloon form, but
all have the orange and black square and circle
form. The square and circle form is
intended to simulate a cylinder-over-sphere
dayshape, indicating distress.
Flare, Aerial
(Safety & Survival)
The flare burns with an
intensity of at least 10,000 candela (formerly
"candlepower"), for at least 5.5 seconds,
reaching an altitude high enough to make sure it
burns out before it falls back to the surface.
The signals are either self-contained or pistol
launched and either meteor or parachute assisted
type. Pistol projected flares must be
designed to be fired by a signal pistol approved
under 46 CFR 160.028.
Flare, Handheld
(Safety & Survival)
The flare burns with an
intensity of at least 15,000 candela (formerly
"candlepower") for at least 50 seconds.
Float Plan Note
(Persons Onboard)
A free-form note field
where the Planner can enter any additional
information that is specific to the voyage.
For example, a boater who is boating to Florida
for the summer may state “Coastal cruise to
Florida Keys for the summer.” Or for a
kayaking club or group, identify the name of the
club “Banberry Kayaker’s Club” and then list the
individual kayakers as well as the color of
their kayaks in the “Passenger/Crew” section.
Freq. Monitored
(Vessel -
Communications)
The VHF frequency you
normally have your VHF radiotelephone tuned to.
For a complete list of VHF channels and
frequencies, refer to the U.S. Coast Guard
Navigation Center's list of U.S. VHF Channels
and Frequencies.
G
OLF
GPS
(Vessel - Navigation)
An acronym which stands
for Global Positioning System, is a specific
satellite-based navigation system used in
conjunction with mobile equipment to determine
the precise position of the mobile equipment.
See DGPS.
H
OTEL
Has experience
with: this vessel
(Persons Onboard)
If checked, it tells
SAR personnel that the Operator has had prior
experience operating this particular vessel and
is familiar with both its controls and handling
characteristics.
Has experience
with: the boating area(s)
(Persons Onboard)
If checked, it tells SAR
personnel that the Operator has had prior
experience boating in the waters, waterways and
inlets identified in the itinerary.
HIN
(Vessel)
Federal law requires all
boats manufactured after October 31, 1972,
including homemade boats, to have and display a
unique 12 character Hull Identification Number
(HIN) that uniquely identifies the boat.
Two identical hull identification numbers are
required to be displayed on each boat hull.
Holder
The person with whom the
float plan is given (e-mailed) to by the
Prepper. The person is responsible for
initiating a Search and Rescue if the Prepper
does not return or check-in as planned.
Horn
(Safety & Survival)
A sound producing device
used in periods of reduced visibility or
whenever a vessel operator needs to signal their
intention or position (See Bell, Whistle).
I
NDIA
Itinerary
The proposed outline of
the voyage; For each location (or waypoint)
described on the itinerary there is: 1) a
planned departure and arrival date and time, 2)
the method or mode travel used to get there, 3)
the reason for stopping at the location, and 4)
the specific time of the day the operator of the
vessel will check-in (contact) the Holder of the
float plan.
J
ULIETT
[There are no Float Plan
terms under this heading]
K
ILO
[There are no Float Plan
terms under this heading]
L
IMA
Line length
(Safety & Survival)
Length in feet of the
line used to connect the anchor (working or
storm) to the vessel.
M
IKE
Maps
(Vessel)
A static document
(printed or electronic) which serves as a
reference guide, emphasizing land forms,
including the representation of relief, with
shoreline represented as an approximate
delineation usually at mean sea level. A
Map is not, and cannot be used to plot a course.
Maps merely indicate a surface path providing no
information of the condition of the waterway or
body of water (See Charts).
N
OVEMBER
Name & Hailing
Port
(Vessel)
Identifies the vessels
name (if documented) and the name of the port
from which the vessel hails. The "hailing
port" is a place and a State, Territory, or
possession of in the United States. The
state may be abbreviated. See also: USCG
National Vessel Documentation Center.
Nautical Chart
A printed or electronic
geographic representation of waterways showing
positions of aids to navigation and other fixed
points and references to guide the mariner (See
Chart).
Note
(Persons Onboard)
This field is used to
note any special medical conditions,
disabilities, or limitations that would be of
concern if the person was stranded or lost. e.g.
can’t swim, vertigo, artificial leg/arm, type 1
diabetes, etc.
O
SCAR
Operator
(Persons Onboard)
Is the person onboard
who is responsible for: a) the safe operation
and navigation of the boat, and b) the safety
and conduct of the passengers and crew.
The operator may or may not be the owner of the
vessel, though it typically is.
Overdue
The vessel operator has
not checked-in by the stated, expected, or
required time.
P
APA
Passengers /
Crew
(Persons Onboard)
This subsection contains
a listing of individual passengers and crew that
will be onboard the vessel for this voyage. It
is used to help search and rescue identify who
they are looking for.
PFDs
(Persons Onboard)
A general name for a
wearable flotation device designed to keep a
person afloat in water. This field
indicates that this person has a type I, II, III
or V of suitable size to wear onboard the
vessel. For more information about each
type of PFD see Life Jacket Wear / Wearing Your
Life Jacket.
PLB UIN
(Persons Onboard)
NOTE: This field is
provided for each person on board and identifies
whether or not person has a PLB.
A PLB or Personal
Locator Beacon is distress radio beacon designed
to be carried by an individual person.
They can only be activated manually and operate
exclusively on 406 MHz. All PLBs also have
a built-in, low-power homing beacon that
transmits on 121.5 MHz. This allows rescue
forces to home in on a beacon once the 406 MHz
satellite system has gotten them "in the
ballpark" (about 2-3 miles). Some newer
PLBs also allow GPS units to be integrated into
the distress signal. This GPS-encoded
position dramatically improves the location
accuracy down to the 100-meter level--that’s
roughly the size of a football field.
The UIN is Unique
Identification Number stored inside each 406 MHz
distress radio beacon (EPIRB and PLB).
This 15 digit number enables the distress radio
beacon to be uniquely identified.
HOW A PLB WORKS:
When Personal Locator Beacon is activated it
begins transmitting its UIN signal. After
a Search and Rescue satellite receives a beacon
signal, it relays the signal to earth stations
which process the data and transmit an alert
message to a Mission Control Center (MCC) via a
data communication network. The MCC
performs matching and merging of alert messages
with other received messages, geographically
sorts the data, and transmits a distress message
to the national Rescue Coordination Center
(RCC). The RCC investigates the beacon
alert and launches assets to find the parties in
distress.
Preparer
A person, usually the
vessel operator, who prepares a float plan for
an intended voyage.
Prominent
Features
(Vessel)
This field identifies
the unique or special features of your vessel
that make it distinctive from any other vessels
of its kind or type.
Q
UEBEC
[There are no Float Plan
terms under this heading]
R
OMEO
Radar
(Vessel)
An acronym for Radio
detecting and ranging, is an electronic system
designed to transmit radio signals and receive
reflected images of those signals from an
“object” in order to determine the bearing
(direction) and distance to the “object.”
Radio Call Sign
/ Number
(Vessel)
A "Call Sign" is a
combination of letters and numbers that identify
an FCC license (if applicable). If you do
not have a Ship Radio Station License, the U.S.
Coast Guard, Navigation Center recommends that
you use your boat registration number and the
state in which it is registered if you are in
out-of-state waters (e.g. “this is Rhode Island
WA 1234”), in place of the call sign.
Radio-1
(Vessel)
The primary radio used
on board the vessel, if available. This
may be either a fixed-mount or portable unit.
Radio-2
(Vessel)
Backup or secondary
radio used on board the vessel, if available.
This may be either a fixed-mount or portable
unit.
Raft/Dinghy
(Safety & Survival)
A floatation device made
of inflatable material, stored onboard and
designed for use by people forced into the
water.
Registration No.
(Vessel)
The registration number
of this vessel. The owner/operator of a
vessel must carry a valid certificate of number
whenever the vessel is in use.
Rescue Authority
(Contacts)
The name and phone
number of a first responder in the area of
either the launch site or destination.
First responders typically include local law
enforcement (police, sheriff), emergency
response, and related personnel, agencies, and
authorities.
S
IERRA
Search and
Rescue (SAR)
Is an operation to
retrieve persons in distress or imminent danger,
provide for their initial medical or other needs
and deliver them to a place of safety.
Signal Mirror
(Safety & Survival)
A signal mirror is a
special pocket-sized mirror with a sighting hole
in the center used to attract attention of
passing aircraft or boats by reflecting light at
them. Such reflected light may be seen up
to five miles or more from the point of origin.
The sighting hole allows you to accurately aim
the reflection directly at the passing aircraft
or boat.
Smoke
(Safety & Survival)
A signaling device,
floating or handheld, that produces a dense
orange smoke for about 5 minutes (4 minutes
absolute minimum) used to attract boats and
aircraft that are within visual range during
daylight hours.
State
(Persons Onboard)
The name and phone
number of a first responder in the area of
either the launch site or destination.
T
ANGO
[There are no Float Plan
terms under this heading]
U
NIFORM
[There are no Float Plan
terms under this heading]
V
ICTOR
Vehicle
(Persons Onboard)
The vehicle used to
transport the operator or the operator and tow
the vessel to/from the launch the launch site.
Vessel
Any watercraft, other
than a seaplane, of any size that is used or
capable of being used as a means of
transportation on the water. The term
"power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled
by machinery. The term "sailing vessel"
means any vessel under sail provided that
propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being
used.
Visual Distress
Signal (Safety & Survival)
A visual, emergency
signaling device approved or certified by the
Coast Guard. These include both
pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic devices
including the launcher.
W
HISKEY
Trailer
(Persons Onboard)
This field indicates
that a trailer was used to haul the vessel to
the launch site. The launch site is
specified in the “Location/Waypoint” field on
the Itinerary.
Whistle
(Safety & Survival)
A sound producing device
used in periods of reduced visibility or
whenever a vessel operator needs to signal their
intention or position. During periods of
restricted visibility, fog, or darkness, the
sound it produces may be heard by rescuers up to
1,000 meters/1,100 yards away (See Bell,
Horn).
X
RAY
[There are no Float Plan
terms under this heading]
Y
ANKEE
Year, Make &
Model
(Vessel)
The year of the vessels
manufacture, name of the manufacturer and model
name or number. For example: 2015 Boston
Whaler 270 Dauntless; where “2015” is the year,”
Boston Whaler” is the manufacturer and “270
Dauntless” is the name or model number.
Z
ULU
Zip code
(Persons Onboard)
The postal zip code of
the vessel operator's residence.
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