Standing out is the act of directing a vessel away from land, a port, or a sheltered anchorage toward the open sea. It implies a deliberate, steady course outbound into deeper water. Navigators use the term when plotting the initial departure track to clear coastal hazards before setting the main ocean transit course.
Heard on the job
We'll stand out past the sea buoy before we secure the deck for heavy weather.
Insider tip
Standing out usually marks the official start of the sea passage in the ship's logbook.