The left (port) and right (starboard) side of a boat, looking forward toward the bow.
Port is the left side of a boat and starboard the right, always seen from on board, looking forward toward the bow. Unlike "left" and "right", the terms don't change when you turn around, so there's no confusion about which side is meant.
Where they come from
Old ships were steered with a steering oar on the right side: the steer board, which became starboard. To keep the oar clear, ships moored with their left side to the quay, the port side.
Where they appear
| Port | Starboard | |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation light | red | green |
| Tack | wind from port = port tack | wind from starboard = starboard tack |
| Right of way under sail | gives way | stands on |
A common memory aid: port and left both have four letters, and port wine is red.
Right of way
When two sailboats meet on different tacks, the one on port tack keeps out of the way of the one on starboard tack. On the same tack, the windward boat keeps clear. Details in the guide right of way when sailing.