Headway

Forward movement of a vessel, with the bow leading through the water.

A vessel making headway is moving ahead relative to the surrounding water, the opposite of making sternway. Headway creates water flow over the rudder and may therefore improve steering response, although the effect depends on the vessel and any propeller wash.

The word is sometimes used more generally for progress over the ground. In strong current, however, a vessel can make headway through the water while moving backwards over the ground, so the reference should be made clear when it matters.