Depending on the design of the vessel he could be said to be on the poop deck, leaning on the taffrail or stern rail. In addition to cleats there might be bitts of some kind -- large iron posts about two feet tall for wrapping stern lines onto. The decks would be wooden lanking, with the seams stuffed with hemp and payed over with tar. (The plank most outboard is called the devil -- which gives the expressions, "The devil to pay" and "Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea").

A