Nautical Term: Abaft the beam

Definition of Abaft the beam

Referred to as the bearing of an object located to the leeward side (the side facing the wind) and further back than the ship’s midpoint, between the beam (the widest part of the ship) and the stern (the rear part of the ship).

For example, if a sailor is trying to locate a buoy that is abaft the beam, they would need to look further back and to the leeward side of the ship until they spot the buoy.

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