This is the 636th most frequent Japanese word.
向かっ
"Heading toward" or "facing."
Here, '向かっ' is used in the sense of heading or moving towards a destination.
彼は駅に向かっています。
He is heading towards the station.
'向かっ' is used metaphorically to indicate striving or aiming towards an abstract goal.
私たちは目標に向かって努力する。
We strive towards our goals.
This usage of '向かっ' indicates the direction in which the ship moved.