Directions and Movement
Windward means towards the wind; leeward (pronounced 'loo-ard') means away from the wind. Ahead means in front of the vessel, astern means behind. Abeam means at right angles to the centreline.
A vessel's heading is the direction the bow points. Her course is the intended direction of travel. The track is the actual path over the ground (which may differ from the course due to tide and leeway). A bearing is the direction of an object measured from the vessel.
Key Points
- Windward — towards the wind
- Leeward — away from the wind (pronounced 'loo-ard')
- Heading — direction the bow points
- Course — intended direction of travel
- Track — actual path over the ground
- Bearing — direction of an object from the vessel