Oar Commands
Stand by the Oars - answer Each crew member clears oar, ships rowlock, places blade
flat, on gunwale forward, inboard of person in front of them
Shove Off - answer Inboard bowman pushes off using boathook. When ordered
bowman releases sea painter
Out Oars - answer Place oars in rowlocks directly from the boated position or from
"Stand-By The Oars" position. Oars horizontal, at right angles to keel, blades flat
Give Way Together - answer Blades of oars are swung forward and dipped into the
water. At the command, "Together", the stroke is started. At the end of the stroke,
blades are feathered, swung forward, and another stroke is started
Hold Water - answerComplete the stroke, stop rowing, drop blade into water vertically,
and gradually swing to a position at right angles to the keel, taking care not to
overstress rowlock
Port (Starboard) Hold Water - answerUsed to turn boat more quickly. Ordered side
completes stroke and holds water, other side continues to row. With boat stopped can
be used with "Give Way" command to opposite side to turn boat while gathering minimal
headway
Stern All - answerWhen rowing ahead, complete the stroke, and then commence to
backwater, gradually increasing the depth of the blades
Back Water - answerRow in the astern direction
Oars - answerComplete the stroke, stop rowing, and bring the oars horizontal, at right
angles to the keel, with the blades held flat
Trail Oars - answerComplete stroke and carefully allow oar to trail alongside, fore and
aft
Bank Oars - answerGiven from the "Oars" position. Allows oarsmen to rest when laying
to. Oars drawn through the rowlock and rested on opposite gunwale
In Bows - answerThe bowmen complete the stroke, swing their oars forward, and boat
them. They then stand by with boat hooks to fend off or receive a line
Way Enough - answerGiven when approaching a landing. Complete stroke, toss oars to
about 45 degrees and boat the oars, forward oars first, unship the rowlocks
Stand by the Oars - answer Each crew member clears oar, ships rowlock, places blade
flat, on gunwale forward, inboard of person in front of them
Shove Off - answer Inboard bowman pushes off using boathook. When ordered
bowman releases sea painter
Out Oars - answer Place oars in rowlocks directly from the boated position or from
"Stand-By The Oars" position. Oars horizontal, at right angles to keel, blades flat
Give Way Together - answer Blades of oars are swung forward and dipped into the
water. At the command, "Together", the stroke is started. At the end of the stroke,
blades are feathered, swung forward, and another stroke is started
Hold Water - answerComplete the stroke, stop rowing, drop blade into water vertically,
and gradually swing to a position at right angles to the keel, taking care not to
overstress rowlock
Port (Starboard) Hold Water - answerUsed to turn boat more quickly. Ordered side
completes stroke and holds water, other side continues to row. With boat stopped can
be used with "Give Way" command to opposite side to turn boat while gathering minimal
headway
Stern All - answerWhen rowing ahead, complete the stroke, and then commence to
backwater, gradually increasing the depth of the blades
Back Water - answerRow in the astern direction
Oars - answerComplete the stroke, stop rowing, and bring the oars horizontal, at right
angles to the keel, with the blades held flat
Trail Oars - answerComplete stroke and carefully allow oar to trail alongside, fore and
aft
Bank Oars - answerGiven from the "Oars" position. Allows oarsmen to rest when laying
to. Oars drawn through the rowlock and rested on opposite gunwale
In Bows - answerThe bowmen complete the stroke, swing their oars forward, and boat
them. They then stand by with boat hooks to fend off or receive a line
Way Enough - answerGiven when approaching a landing. Complete stroke, toss oars to
about 45 degrees and boat the oars, forward oars first, unship the rowlocks
