nautical mile, knot

Nautical miles are often used in marine or aeronautical context, but specify when using nautical miles.

One nautical mile equals 1.15 statute miles or 1.852 kilometers.

When including distances in stories, if the context is primarily nautical (e.g., distance traveled on the sea or sailing references), provide the distance in nautical miles and specify. In other cases, such as a reference in relation to land (e.g., X miles offshore), it's preferable to convert nautical miles to statute miles. 

A knot is a measurement unit of speed equivalent to one nautical mile (1,852 meters) an hour:

            a speed of 10 knots, not knots an hour or knots per hour

            The boat reaches a top speed of 20 knots.

See also MEASURES.