Types of Ships

Nautical Terms

Bow: This refers to the front end of the boat.
Stern: This is the rear end of the boat.
Starboard: When standing at the rear of the boat and looking forward, starboard is the entire right side of the ship.
Port: When standing at the rear of the boat and looking forward, the port is the entire left side of the ship.
Forward: This is used when you are moving toward the front end of the boat [bow].
Aft: Used to describe your movement towards the rear end of the boat, more like saying someone is going “aft.”
Ahead: Refers to the movement of a boat in a forward direction.
Astern: Refers to the backward movement of a boat.
Topside: Moving from the lower deck of the boat to the upper deck of the ship.
Amidships: Refers to the central part of a boating vessel.
Port Quarter: This is the rear left side of the boat.
Starboard Quarter: Refers to the rear right of the boat.
Port Bow: This is the front left side of the boat.
Starboard Bow: This is the front right of a boat.