Which term describes the direction across the boat at a right angle to the keel?

Which term describes the direction across the boat at a right angle to the keel?

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

Answer: (C)

Anthwartships describes the direction across the boat, across its width and at a right angle to the keel. The keel runs along the length of the vessel, so anything across it—left to right across the beam—is described as across the ship. Anthwartships is the standard term for this crosswise direction. For comparison, ahead means toward the bow, and abaft means toward the stern; abeam is also perpendicular to the keel, pointing directly to the side, but the wording in this question is best captured by the crosswise term anthwartships.

Anthwartships describes the direction across the boat, across its width and at a right angle to the keel. The keel runs along the length of the vessel, so anything across it—left to right across the beam—is described as across the ship. Anthwartships is the standard term for this crosswise direction. For comparison, ahead means toward the bow, and abaft means toward the stern; abeam is also perpendicular to the keel, pointing directly to the side, but the wording in this question is best captured by the crosswise term anthwartships.