SeaDistab

Seadistab is a term used in maritime planning to refer to a data resource that compiles distances between sea routes and ports, typically implemented as a distance table or an associated database. In practice, a seadistab serves as a quick-reference tool for calculating voyage distances and estimating transit times under various conditions.

The name most likely derives from a contraction of sea distance table; it is not a standardized term in international nautical practice. Variants include sea-distance table, sea-distance database, or SeaDistab in certain organizations.

A seadistab typically includes leg distances between consecutive waypoints, total voyage distance, estimated sailing times at standard vessel speeds, and optional modifiers for currents, winds, sea state, and port turnaround times.

Common uses include voyage planning, fuel and ballast planning, risk assessment, training and simulations, and scenario analysis for logistics and emergency response.

There is no universal standard for seadistab. They are built into bespoke software used by shipping lines, navies, and simulation developers, and may be offered as modules within GIS or voyage-management platforms.

In fiction and game design, seadistab may be described as a centralized nautical data resource or a governing dataset for strategic planning.

See also: distance table, nautical mile, voyage planning, maritime logistics, GIS.