Lifeboat Oar Commands
Stand by the oars - answer Lift oars off thwarts. Place bow oars flat on forward gunwale,
push other oars forward with their blades resting on the gunwale until their handles are
over each oars man's thwart. Insert row locks
Shove off - answer Bow tender let's go of sea painter. Shoves off bow using butt end of
boat hook
Out oars - answer The oars are lifted together, swung out together and are dropped into
oar locks together.
Standby to give way - answerA preparatory command. Rowers lean forward, arms
extended, with the oar blades perpendicular to the water and the tips just touching the
water, ready to start the stroke.
Give way together - answerBlades are lowered about two thirds into water and the
stroke started. Several short, quick strokes may be taken to get underway quickly. At
end of stroke, blades are feathered forward and another stroke made.
Oars - answerComplete stroke and level the oars with blades parallel to the water
Hold water all - answerGiven to check way. Complete stroke and stop rowing. Dip
blades held vertical and stationary, into the water directly abeam. Should always be
followed by "oars".
Stern all - answerRow in astern position.
Back starboard/port - answerDesignated oars are backed
Back starboard, give way port - answerDesignated oars row astern while other side
pulls ahead to turn boat without making head or sternway.
Hold water starboard, give way port - answerDesignated oars hold water while other
side pulls ahead to turn boat with slight headway
Trail oars - answerGiven to pass obstacle. Complete stroke and allow oars to trail in the
water alongside boat. Hold onto handles to avoid losing oars
Toss oars - answerGiven as a salute. Handles are pressed down inboard and oars
raised vertically, with oars trimmed fore and aft.
Let fall - answerGiven from toss oars. Oars are dropped outboard into "oars" position.
Stand by the oars - answer Lift oars off thwarts. Place bow oars flat on forward gunwale,
push other oars forward with their blades resting on the gunwale until their handles are
over each oars man's thwart. Insert row locks
Shove off - answer Bow tender let's go of sea painter. Shoves off bow using butt end of
boat hook
Out oars - answer The oars are lifted together, swung out together and are dropped into
oar locks together.
Standby to give way - answerA preparatory command. Rowers lean forward, arms
extended, with the oar blades perpendicular to the water and the tips just touching the
water, ready to start the stroke.
Give way together - answerBlades are lowered about two thirds into water and the
stroke started. Several short, quick strokes may be taken to get underway quickly. At
end of stroke, blades are feathered forward and another stroke made.
Oars - answerComplete stroke and level the oars with blades parallel to the water
Hold water all - answerGiven to check way. Complete stroke and stop rowing. Dip
blades held vertical and stationary, into the water directly abeam. Should always be
followed by "oars".
Stern all - answerRow in astern position.
Back starboard/port - answerDesignated oars are backed
Back starboard, give way port - answerDesignated oars row astern while other side
pulls ahead to turn boat without making head or sternway.
Hold water starboard, give way port - answerDesignated oars hold water while other
side pulls ahead to turn boat with slight headway
Trail oars - answerGiven to pass obstacle. Complete stroke and allow oars to trail in the
water alongside boat. Hold onto handles to avoid losing oars
Toss oars - answerGiven as a salute. Handles are pressed down inboard and oars
raised vertically, with oars trimmed fore and aft.
Let fall - answerGiven from toss oars. Oars are dropped outboard into "oars" position.
