Module 1 - Nautical Terms
Directions and Movement
Windward means towards the wind and leeward means away from it. Ahead and astern are along the vessel's centreline; abeam is approximately at right angles to it. These are relative descriptions and should be paired with port or starboard when the side matters.
Heading is the direction in which the bow points. Track is the path over the ground. Course is used in several qualified ways, so a Coastal-level brief should say what is meant: desired track, course to steer, course steered or course made good. Tide, current, leeway and steering variation can make those values differ.
A bearing is the direction of an object or position. It may be relative to the vessel's head or referred to true, magnetic or compass north. Write the reference—such as 084°T or 030° relative—whenever ambiguity could change the decision.
- Windward — towards the wind
- Leeward — away from the wind (pronounced 'loo-ard')
- Heading — direction the bow points
- Course — qualify as desired, to steer, steered or made good
- Track — actual path over the ground
- Bearing — direction of an object with an explicit reference
| Term | Question it answers | Example label |
|---|---|---|
| Heading | Where is the bow pointing? | 070°T heading |
| Desired track | Which ground line do we intend? | 090°T desired track |
| Course to steer | What direction should be steered for that plan? | 084°T CTS |
| Track / CMG | What path was actually made over the ground? | 096°T CMG |
| Bearing | In what direction is the object? | 315°T or 045° relative |
Optional quick check
Section 7 of 9
The bow points 070°T while the yacht's recorded path over the ground is 082°T. Which labels are correct?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 20 August 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
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