What does vessel in tangent mean?

"Vessel in tangent" typically refers to a situation in maritime navigation where a vessel's course is tangent to a specific point or route, meaning it is at a point of contact with a curve or path without crossing it. This term can be used in various contexts, such as when discussing the navigation of ships around a harbor or navigating through a waterway. It emphasizes the directional relationship of the vessel to the course it is following.