seyir

Seyir is a Turkish noun meaning voyage or navigation. In everyday language it denotes the act of moving along a route, but it is most commonly used in maritime contexts to refer to navigation and the conduct of a ship’s journey. The term can also appear in broader senses to describe the course or progression of a movement or activity.

In maritime use, seyir encompasses planning, execution, and safety of a voyage. Key elements include determining the vessel’s course and speed, calculating position from charts and navigational aids, and using equipment such as radar, GPS, AIS, and radio communications. A seyir plan is prepared before departure and typically outlines the intended route, waypoints, speeds, and time estimates. The voyage is often documented in a seyir defteri, a ship’s log that records positions, events, and changes to the plan. Safety aspects are central, with mechanisms for collision avoidance, respect of shipping lanes, and compliance with national and international regulations governing safe navigation.

Terms related to seyir often appear on ships: düz seyir (a straight course), seyir hattı (shipping lane or route), and seyir güvenliği (safety of navigation). While rooted in maritime practice, the concept can be used metaphorically to describe the course of any journey or project, underscoring its broader sense as a planned progression from one point to another.