How to Remember Port and Starboard?
Knowing nautical terms like starboard and port is essential for any sailor. These terms refer to the right and left sides of the boat, but sailors use the words starboard and port to make sure they know the direction they are talking about. When sailing ahead, starboard refers to the left side of the boat and port refers to the right side. This direction remains constant no matter where the observer is on the boat, ensuring clarity and consistency in understanding and communication. You must recognize and understand Port and Starboard without hesitation or you may find yourself in some unexpected emergency situations.
Knowing the Basic Concepts of Port and Starboard
Starboard and port are nautical terms that refer to the right and left sides of a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft. These terms are fixed positions, meaning they do not change no matter which direction you are facing on the boat. “Port” refers to the left side of the boat and “starboard” refers to the right side. Knowing “port” and “starboard” is essential for the safe navigation and operation of boats, including paddleboards, kayaks, rafts, rowboats, and larger ships.
To remember “Port” and “Starboard”, you can follow these tips:
Count the letters: “Port” and “Left” have 4 letters each.
The first letter of each direction can help you remember: “S” in “right” is closer to “right”, while “P” in “port” is closer to “left”.
“Right” has more R, which represents the right side of the ship.
Port is a type of red wine, and the phrase “Is there any red port left in the bottle?” It can help you remember that the red light means “port” and is on the left side.
The origin of “port” and “starboard”
If you know why “port” is called “port” and why “right” is called “right”, it will help you remember which is which. The term “starboard” dates back to the beginning of sailing, when ships were not yet equipped with rudders on the centerline. It was operated by oars, which were large oars mounted on the right side of the stern.
Most sailors on the ship were right-handed, so these steering oars were placed on the right side, hence the name “starboard”. It is made up of two Old English words, steor (to turn) and bord (the side of the ship). To avoid damaging the steering oar on the starboard side, ships entering the port could only anchor on the port side (the opposite side), hence the term “port side”.
Why is red used for ports and green for starboard?
All ships (and aircraft) are equipped with red lights on the port side and green lights on the starboard side. This allows other sailors to understand the direction of the ship at night just by the lights. Ships take a long time to turn and stop, so they need as much time as possible to start any manoeuvres.
The visibility of the red and green light arcs means that the direction of the ship is completely certain. The use of red and green lights is also very useful for collision regulations at intersections. If you see (or should see when it is dark) a red light, a ship is approaching from your starboard side, which means to stop and give way. If you see a green light, it means that a ship is approaching from your port side, reminding you that you are standing on the ship.
Channel Labels
Understanding channel signals (port and starboard) is essential to interpreting channel markers, which are used to guide ships safely through navigable waters, usually in and out of ports. There are two main systems of buoys and channel markers used worldwide: the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) System A and System B. These two systems determine the colors that distinguish the two sides of a channel when entering a channel from the sea, so make sure you know which system to follow.
IALA System A (Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia)
Port Markers (Red) – Red buoys must be kept on the port/left side of the vessel when entering a port or channel from the sea. These buoys are usually shaped like metal boxes and may have a red light at night.
Starboard Markers (Green) – Green buoys must be kept on the starboard/right side when entering a port from the sea. These buoys are usually cone-shaped and may have a green light at night.
IALA B System (Americas, Japan, Korea, Philippines)
Port Mark (Green) – When entering from the sea, the green buoy must be kept on the port/left side of the vessel.
Starboard Mark (Red) – When entering a port, the red buoy must be kept on the starboard/right side of the vessel.
Quick Tricks
It is easier to remember port and starboard with some creative tricks:
Same number of letters: “port” and “left” have four letters each, connecting the direction and the side.
Color association: The phrase “There is no red port left in the bottle” helps to associate the color red with the left side (port wine), while green naturally belongs to the right side.
Helpful phrases: Phrases such as “The ship is on the port side”, “Starboard is on the port side” or “Port wine is red” can help. Another proverb says: “Sailors use the stars to guide them in the right direction after setting sail.”
Practical reminder: Mark the sides of the boat or wear specially marked socks. Just make sure to wear a red sock on the left foot and a green or right sock on the right foot!
