The term 'BACK ON BOARD' can be broken down into five crossword solutions: STERN (5 letters), ASTERN (6 letters), AFT (3 letters), DEE (3 letters), and REHIRE (6 letters). STERN refers to the rear of a ship, ASTERN is the opposite of ahead and means toward the STERN, AFT is another word for the STERN, DEE is a nautical term for the direction of the STERN, and REHIRE means to hire someone back. Therefore, the phrase 'BACK ON BOARD' can be interpreted as returning to the STERN of a ship or being hired back.