What is Abeam in Navigation and Sailing?

Abeam is a nautical term that refers to a direction or location that is at right angles to the wind or course of a vessel. In other words, it is perpendicular to the direction the ship is heading or the wind is blowing.

For example, if a ship is sailing due north and the wind is blowing from the east, then the point directly ahead of the ship (straight out in front of the bow) would be abeam. Similarly, if the ship is sailing due east and the wind is blowing from the south, then the point directly to the left or right of the ship (at a 90-degree angle to the course) would also be abeam.

The term "abeam" is often used in navigation and sailing to describe the location of objects or landmarks relative to the vessel's course or direction of travel. It can also be used more broadly to describe any direction or location that is perpendicular to the current course or orientation of something.