Boatnerd Discussion Forum

I always thought that an allision was a glancing blow where damage occurs but both objects continue on their way. A collision was considered to be more severe. Something like the Sydney Smith or the Stockholm and Andrea Gail.

"Allision" is the act of dashing against or striking upon; it is often used to describe the action of one boat hitting against another, or of the sea dashing against a boat. The word is commonly used in place of "collision" to distinguish that one of the objects was fixed, like a dock or reef.

Collision is between 2 vessels contacting each other. An allision is one vessel contacting a fixed object.

what the difference between a collision and an allision?