Aft designates the rearward direction or section of a ship, moving toward the stern. It serves as an absolute reference frame within the vessel itself, independent of the ship's heading or the outside environment. Marine engineers and naval architects use it to specify the location of compartments, machinery, and structural frames along the longitudinal axis.
Heard on the job
We need to shift the ballast water to the aft tanks to bring the propeller deeper into the water.
Insider tip
Aft is the opposite of forward. When describing a specific physical part of the ship's extreme rear, use stern.
Do not mix it up with
- Abaft: Aft is an absolute zone or direction on the ship, while abaft is a relative position meaning behind something else.