Words like port and starboard are surely known to anyone who cruises often.
For people who have never been on a ship or are planning to go on a ship, port and starboard are used to refer to the left and right of a boat or ship when you’re facing the front.
Why do ships use “starboard” and “port” instead of “left” or “right”?
Ships use “starboard” and “port” instead of “left” and “right” to promote nautical terms that are independent of a mariner’s orientation and avoid confusion.
These terms always refer to the ship’s right (starboard) and left (port) sides, no matter which way a person is facing.
Because “larboard” sounded too similar to “starboard,” it was substituted with “port” to avoid confusion. “Starboard” is derived from the old steering oars on the right side of ships.
Using these fixed terms helps sailors communicate clearly, especially in emergencies or with international crews.
Here are some simple ways to remember which side of a boat or ship is port and which is starboard, since most people tend to forget or confuse the two:
How Port and Starboard Got Their Names
It will be easier for you to remember Port and Starboard once you understand how they got their names.
Before ships had rudders on their centerlines, they were guided by steering oars. Since most individuals are right-handed, this was on the ship’s right side.

The starboard side of a boat was created by combining the Old English terms “stéor,” which means steer, and “bord,” which means the side of a boat.
The steering oar would be on the right, and boats would be tied on the opposite side. As a result, the port side of the boat is where it meets the port.
The fact that most individuals are right-handed and that the starboard implies “steering side” should help you understand that the starboard is on the right.
Know the Port and Starboard Joke
The envelope of the captain
There once was a well-known sea captain who was admired by his crew and fellow captains; he had sailed ships all around the world.
Above all, he had one unusual habit of locking himself in his captain’s quarters every morning and opening a small safe.
In the safe, there was an envelope, and I stared at a piece of paper inside for a minute. Later, he kept it back and went back to his daily duties.
This continued for years, which made his crew very curious. Was that a map of treasure? Was it a love letter? Everyone speculated about the content and odd behavior of the sailor.
When the captain died and his body was laid to rest, along with the crew, the first mate went to the captain’s quarters.
He opened the safe and took the envelope, opened it. He turned pale after reading the paper and showed it to the others.
Only four words were written on the paper:
Port Left, Starboard Right.
Remember with the Number of Letters
To remember port and starboard, you only have to know one of them, and you will ultimately know the other one.
PORT has four letters, and so does LEFT; hence you can remember them as both have four letters in them.
Once you can remember that ‘port’ and ‘left’ then by default, you can work out that ‘starboard’ means ‘right.’.
Remember with colors
Red color is assigned to Port whereas Green color is assigned to Starboard.
Apart from using these colors for the ship’s navigational lights, it is also used for signages inside the ship.
You can remember red for the port through a port wine as it is red in color.
Socks for Port and Starboard
An interesting way to remember the respective directions of port and starboard is to buy them a pair of port and starboard socks.
It will always help to know which is which if you understand whether the port or starboard sock goes on the left foot!
Know the Alphabet
For passengers cruising for the first time, the simplest approach to remember port and starboard is to consider the alphabetical positions of each letter.
P of PORT is near L so it is LEFT whereas S for STARBOARD is near R so it is RIGHT.
The Wedding Ring
This trick is suitable for those who are either engaged or married. Remember about your wedding ring as it is in the left hand so the port is left and the rest is on the right side.
The Watch
If your watch is on your left arm, remember it as Port. Rest would be very easy for you to recall.
Recall with a phrase
Recall the phrase ‘there is no RED PORT LEFT in the bottle’, that will help you to associate the color red with Port and ultimately Starboard would be right.
For maritime knowledge, it is important to understand the difference between port and starboard.
Knowing is not enough but mastering it can be simple with the right approach. You can rapidly gain confidence in using these crucial terms by understanding their meanings, employing useful tips, and practicing frequently.
Although understanding these phrases is not necessary to enjoy a cruise, it does enhance your experience by giving you more self-assurance and awareness.
Remember to practice identifying the ship’s bow and stern, as this is a skill you’ll probably need more often when at sea!