Which term describes a line that runs crosswise from port to starboard?

Which term describes a line that runs crosswise from port to starboard?

• A. Athwartships
• B. Aft
• C. Forward
• D. Inboard

Answer: (A)

Athwartships describes a line that runs across the width of the vessel from port to starboard. The word “athwart” means across, and when applied to a ship, it aligns with the beam—the widest dimension of the hull. This orientation is perpendicular to the keel and points from the left side (port) to the right side (starboard) as you face forward. In contrast, forward means toward the bow, aft means toward the stern, and inboard means toward the ship’s centerline. So a line that goes from port to starboard is athwartships, not along the length or toward the center.

Athwartships describes a line that runs across the width of the vessel from port to starboard. The word “athwart” means across, and when applied to a ship, it aligns with the beam—the widest dimension of the hull. This orientation is perpendicular to the keel and points from the left side (port) to the right side (starboard) as you face forward.

In contrast, forward means toward the bow, aft means toward the stern, and inboard means toward the ship’s centerline. So a line that goes from port to starboard is athwartships, not along the length or toward the center.