What is the term for the lateral direction across the ship?

The term for the lateral direction across the ship is "athwart ships." This phrase describes anything that is oriented side to side, perpendicular to the length of the vessel, effectively dividing the ship into port (left) and starboard (right) sides. In nautical terminology, understanding the orientation of a ship is critical, as it provides a clear framework for navigation and communication on the vessel.

Other terms mentioned are oriented differently: "fore and aft" refers to the direction along the length of the ship, from the bow (front) to the stern (back). "Starboard" and "port" refer specifically to the right and left sides of the ship, respectively, when facing forward. Thus, while those terms are vital for understanding a ship's layout, they do not describe the lateral direction across the vessel like "athwart ships" does.