Marine Navigation Terms in Arabic

If you boat in Kuwait, you will hear Arabic navigation terms on the radio, at the marina, and from your captain — and understanding them can be the difference between a smooth trip and a confusing one. This guide covers the most common marine navigation terms in Arabic, exactly how Kuwaiti sailors use them, with a short definition for each.

The Arabic navigation glossary every boater in Kuwait should know

These are the terms you will hear most often around Kuwait's waters. Learn them, and you will follow any conversation on deck:

• Al-Muqaddimah (المقدمة) — bow: the front of the boat, the direction it moves when going forward.
• Al-Mu'akhkhirah (المؤخرة) — stern: the back of the boat, usually where the engine sits.
• Al-Maimana (الميمنة) — starboard: the right side of the boat when facing the bow.
• Al-Maysara (الميسرة) — port: the left side of the boat, opposite starboard.
• Al-Qadis or Ad-Daffah (القادس / الدفة) — helm or rudder: the wheel or tiller that steers the boat.
• Al-'Amud (العمود) — mast: the vertical pole that holds the sail or flag.
• Ash-Shira' (الشراع) — sail: the canvas that catches the wind and drives the boat forward.
• Al-Mirsat (المرساة) — anchor: the gear you drop to hold the boat in place.
• Al-'Awama (العوامة) — buoy: a floating marker that shows safe water or warns of hazards.
• Al-Manara (المنارة) — lighthouse: the light tower that guides boats into harbor at night.
• Al-'Umq (العمق) — depth: how deep the water is under your boat.
• Al-Yabisa (اليابسة) — land: dry ground, the opposite of the sea.
• Al-Madiq (المضيق) — strait: a narrow stretch of water between two landmasses.
• Al-Khawr (الخور) — creek or inlet: a narrow natural waterway reaching inland; Kuwait is famous for its khawrs.
• Al-Jisr or Ar-Raseef (الجسر / الرصيف) — pier or dock: where you tie up the boat on shore.
• Ar-Rih ash-Shimaliya or Al-Qaws (الريح الشمالية / القوس) — the north wind: the famous Gulf north wind that can change sea conditions fast.

Why these terms matter for safety and radio communication

At sea, seconds count. If your captain calls "hard to starboard" and you do not know which side that is, you lose time — and time is expensive on the water. The same applies to radio communication: distress calls, harbor instructions, and warnings from other boats all use standard direction terms. Understanding them keeps you clear of collisions and out of trouble.

These words are not decoration; they are the language of safety. When you say "drop the anchor" or "stay clear of the buoy," everyone on board understands instantly. That matters even more when you have guests on their first trip.

How to learn Arabic navigation terms in context

The fastest way to learn is to use them. One trip holding the helm will fix port and starboard in your memory forever. Before you head out, you can start at home: the B7R app is free on Google Play and packs tide times for Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports, the current sea state, a seasons calendar, and navigation tools — everything you need to plan a safe trip.

You can even practice on land. Open the B7R app's navigation tools, check the sea state before you decide to launch, and once you are on deck, call out the terms as you go. Within a few trips, Arabic navigation terms will feel as natural as your own language.