The maritime world relies on a precise vocabulary to ensure clear communication and safety on the water. Unlike common language, which uses relative terms like “front” or “back,” nautical terminology employs fixed points of reference that never change. This standardized language is necessary for giving unambiguous commands and describing locations, especially when navigating busy waterways. These specific terms define the structure and orientation of a vessel, providing a universal framework for everyone aboard.
The Primary Ends: Bow and Stern
The front of any vessel is known as the Bow. It is the part of the hull that is usually most forward when the ship is underway. The bow’s design is engineered to efficiently cut through the water, reducing resistance and improving the vessel’s speed and stability. Its shape is typically pointed or tapered, which helps to decrease friction and allows for more efficient movement. The foremost structural part of the bow is called the stem, which is an extension of the keel.
The Stern is the rearmost or after part of the ship, located directly opposite the bow. Unlike the bow, the stern is often wider and flatter, a design that provides buoyancy and stability to the vessel. This section is structurally significant because it houses the propulsion systems, such as the propellers, and the steering mechanism, which is the rudder. The flat or curved surface that forms the extreme back of the stern is often referred to as the transom.
The Essential Sides: Port and Starboard
The sides of a vessel are defined by the terms Port and Starboard, which are fixed references. When facing the bow, the port side is always the left side of the vessel. The term replaced the older “larboard,” which was easily confused with “starboard” when shouted over wind and waves. The left side became known as port because it was the side that faced the harbor, allowing the vessel to be loaded or “ported.”
The Starboard side is always the right side of the vessel when facing the bow. This term comes from the Old English words stéor (steer) and bord (the side of a boat). In early boating, the steering oar, or “steerboard,” was placed on the right side of the stern to accommodate the majority of right-handed sailors. To help remember the distinction, the word “Port” and the word “Left” both contain four letters.
Directional Terminology: Aft and Forward
Specific terms are used to describe direction or location relative to the ends of the ship. Forward is a directional term meaning toward the bow. A command to move forward directs a person or object toward the ship’s leading end. The term “fore” is often used as a prefix to denote a location in the forward section, such as the foredeck.
Conversely, Aft is the directional term meaning toward the stern. If a crew member is instructed to go aft, they are moving toward the back of the ship. The area between the forward and aft sections is known as Amidships, which is the middle section of the vessel. These terms allow for precise communication about the location of equipment or personnel.