Offshore

Situated, moving or operating away from the shore or towards the open sea.

The term is relative unless a regulation, forecast, industry standard or local publication defines a boundary. It may describe direction, waters, wind, structures or operations, and ‘offshore’ in commercial or safety regulation can have a specialised meaning.

Offshore water is not necessarily deep, free of hazards or rougher than inshore water. Banks, shoals, installations, traffic, currents and severe weather can occur far from land, so distance from the coast is only one part of passage and safety assessment.