The aft – Also known as the afterdeck – is at the rear of the boat, also called the stern. The poop deck is the aft-most, highest deck. In sailing ships it often forms the roof of a cabin in the stern.

Why is it called poop deck?

We quote verbatim: “The name originates from the French word for stern, la poupe, from Latin puppis. Thus the poop deck is technically a stern deck, which in sailing ships was usually elevated as the roof of the stern or “after” cabin, also known as the “poop cabin”.

Where is the Taffrail on a ship?

In naval architecture, a taffrail is the handrail around the open deck area toward the stern of a ship or boat. The rear deck of a ship is often called the afterdeck or poop deck.