Donald Crowhurst’s plot during the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, as depicted in the film The Mercy. Crowhurst attempted to fake his progress during the race. The red plot on the right shows his fabricated track, and the blue plot on the left shows his actual position.

Definition

Verb

  • To lay out a vessel’s course or position (or that of an objective or obstacle).

Noun

  • A vessel’s course or position as laid out on a chart.

Origin

16th century. From Old English through Middle English, from the term platte, of the same meanings.

Comments

Courses are plotted out on a chart by taking a fix of a vessel’s position and then going from there. Depending on the method used, there can be a certain amount of error in the plot. A vessel’s position isn’t necessarily pinpoint accurate.

References

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.