On the Starboard Quarter
In a direction abaft the vessel’s starboard beam and to the right of its centreline.
The expression describes the relative sector between approximately abeam and astern on the starboard side rather than a single bearing. A more precise report can add relative bearing, clock position and distance.
The sector moves with the vessel’s heading. A contact on the quarter can be difficult to see from some steering positions, so lookout reports and collision assessment should include its movement rather than treating the phrase alone as sufficient.
