Following are some common terms used to describe location, position and direction aboard a boat.

oard a boat. Knowing these terms will hel p you better

communicate with persons aboard your boat and fellow mariners.
1. Bow and Stern
The front end of a boat is the bow. When you move toward the bow, it is called going forward. The rear of a boat is the stern. When you move toward
the stern, you are going aft.
When a boat is moving, either by power or sail, it is called being underway. A boat moving forward is moving ahead. When the boat moves
backwards, it is going astern.
2. Port and Starboard
If you are standing in the rear of the boat looking forward, the entire right side of the boat is the starboard side; the entire left side is the port side.
The front right side of the boat is the starboard bow; the front left is the port bow. The right rear of the boat is the starboard quarter; the left rear is the
port quarter.
3. Amidships
Amidships is the central part of the boat, while athwartships is an imaginary line running from one side of the boat, to the other.
The right center side of the boat is the starboard beam; the left center side is the port beam.
4. Going Topside and Going Below
Going topside is moving from a lower deck to an upper deck of the boat, while going below is moving from an upper deck to a lower deck.
5. Windward and Leeward
Windward is the direction from which the wind is blowing; leeward is the opposite direction from which the wind is blowing. Knowing the windward
side and leeward side is particularly helpful when you are mooring, unmooring, and operating in heavy weather.


Comparison between position-keeping options
Other methods of position-keeping are the use of an anchor spread and the use of a jack-up barge. All have their own advantages and
disadvantages.
Comparison position-keeping options
Jack-up Barge Anchoring Dynamic Positioning
Advantages:
No complex systems with thrusters, extra
generators and controllers.
No chance of running off position by
system failures or blackouts.
No underwater hazards from thrusters.
Advantages:
No complex systems with thrusters, extra
generators and controllers.
No chance of running off position by
system failures or blackouts.
No underwater hazards from thrusters.
Advantages:
Maneuverability is excellent; it is easy to
change position.
No anchor handling tugs are required.
Not dependent on water depth.
Quick set-up.
Not limited by obstructed seabed.
Disadvantages:
No maneuverability once positioned.
Limited to water depths of 175 meters.
Disadvantages:
Limited maneuverability once anchored.
Anchor handling tugs are required.
Less suitable in deep water.
Time to anchor out varies between several
hours to several days.
Limited by obstructed seabed (pipelines,
seabed).
Disadvantages:
Complex systems with thrusters, extra
generators and controllers.
High initial costs of installation.
High fuel costs.
Chance of running off position by system
failures or blackouts.
Underwater hazards from thrusters for divers
and ROVs.
Higher maintenance of the mechanical
systems.