Which term describes a position directly off the port or starboard side of the boat at 90 degrees to the keel?

Which term describes a position directly off the port or starboard side of the boat at 90 degrees to the keel?

• A. Vent
• B. Anthwartships
• C. Ahead
• D. Abeam

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is describing directions relative to a ship’s length. The keel runs along the centerline from bow to stern, and the term for something that is exactly 90 degrees to that line—directly out to the side at the ship’s widest point—is abeam. So when you’re looking to the port or starboard side and something is even with the hull’s side, it’s described as being abeam. In practice, ahead means moving forward along the bow, astern or abaft means toward the stern, and vent isn’t a navigation direction. Anthwartships is a less common synonym for being at right angles to the keel, but the standard term you’ll most often use in this context is abeam.

The main idea here is describing directions relative to a ship’s length. The keel runs along the centerline from bow to stern, and the term for something that is exactly 90 degrees to that line—directly out to the side at the ship’s widest point—is abeam. So when you’re looking to the port or starboard side and something is even with the hull’s side, it’s described as being abeam.

In practice, ahead means moving forward along the bow, astern or abaft means toward the stern, and vent isn’t a navigation direction. Anthwartships is a less common synonym for being at right angles to the keel, but the standard term you’ll most often use in this context is abeam.