Afloat

The state of being buoyant and on the water’s surface, not submerged or sinking. 

Afloat is a term commonly used in the maritime world to describe vessels, objects, or even people supported by water and remaining on its surface. For a ship or boat, being afloat means it is appropriately buoyant, not taking on water, and able to navigate or remain stationary without sinking. This state is crucial for the safety and functionality of any vessel. Afloat can also refer to debris, cargo, or any other object that is not submerged but floating on the water’s surface.

In some cases, the term is used metaphorically to describe a vessel or organisation that is financially stable or operationally viable, such as “keeping the business afloat.” However, in a strictly nautical sense, the term is tied to the physical condition of remaining on the water’s surface. For a ship to remain afloat, it must displace a volume of water equal to its weight, a principle based on Archimedes’ law of buoyancy. If the vessel takes on too much water or is overloaded, it risks losing buoyancy and sinking. Therefore, maintaining a vessel afloat is a fundamental aspect of seamanship, requiring careful attention to hull integrity, weight distribution, and water ingress management.