Port and Starboard Side: What’s the Difference?
December 11, 2024
Knowing the correct names for the parts of your boat will not only help you get to know your boat better, it will also help you understand the rules of the road so you can follow maritime signals and markers.
It might take a moment to wrap your mind around the difference between port and starboard, but once you grasp these key terms, you’ll be well on your way to understanding all sorts of other nautical terms and instructions.
What is the starboard side of a boat?
Starboard is the nautical term for the right side of a boat, when you are in the boat facing forward.
What is the port side of a boat?
Port is the nautical term for the left side of a boat, when you are in the boat facing forward.
How can I remember the difference?
A quick trick to remember port and starboard: both “port” and “left” have four letters. So, if “port” means “left,” then “starboard” must mean “right.”
Port and starboard lights
A red light indicates the port side of a vessel, and a green light indicates the starboard side of a vessel. Lights may be the only indication of a vessel’s direction at night, or in poor visibility.
Port and starboard buoys and markers
When it comes to buoys and markers in Canadian waters, the colour system is designed to guide safe navigation. A starboard buoy is coloured red and has an even number. You must keep it on the starboard (right) side of your boat when heading upstream or entering a harbour. In the context of maritime navigation, starboard buoys mark the right side of a channel when approaching from seaward or moving towards the headwaters of a river.
In contrast, port buoys, which mark the left side of the channel, are coloured green and have odd numbers. You must keep a green buoy on the port (left) side of your boat when heading upstream. This colour-coding system is part of the IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) Region B buoyage system, which Canada follows.
The colour of the light on a buoy typically matches the colour of the buoy itself. Red buoys have red lights, while green buoys have green lights. This consistent colour scheme helps mariners navigate safely through channels and waterways, especially in low visibility conditions.
It’s important to note that “upstream” in this context generally refers to the direction from the sea towards the headwaters of a river or when entering a harbour. This system of red-right-returning (keeping red buoys on your right when returning from sea) is a key principle for safe navigation in Canadian waters.
Note that special purpose buoys and isolated danger buoys will be different colours.
Origins of the terms “port” and “starboard”
The term “starboard” originated in the early days of boating, before ships had rudders on their centerlines. Ships were steered using a steering oar, which was typically placed on the right side of the stern because most sailors were right-handed. This steering side became known as “steorbord” in Old English, combining the words for “steer” and “board” (side of a boat). This eventually evolved into “starboard” to refer to the right side of a vessel.
Originally, the left side of a ship was called “larboard”, likely derived from “ladebord” meaning “loading side”. However, “larboard” sounded very similar to “starboard”, which could cause confusion, especially in bad weather or emergencies. To avoid this, the term “port” was adopted in the 19th century to refer to the left side, probably due to the practice of docking ships on their left sides.
Why learn these important nautical terms?
There are many reasons why you should learn to use the terms “port” and “starboard” instead of just “left” and “right”.
First, these terms refer to fixed locations on a vessel, meaning they never change. The terms “left” and “right”, on the other hand, will not always refer to the same part of the boat, depending on which way you are facing. The “port” side of a boat will be on the left if you are facing forward, and on the right if you are facing the stern. This can get quite confusing, and even be dangerous when following navigational guidelines, passing other vessels, or in an emergency situation. It is also obligatory to use the correct terms during any legal proceedings related to your boating activities.
Second, port and starboard are the official, correct terms to use to describe the side of your boat, as set out by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Know the difference between port and starboard and stay safe
Port and starboard are two important nautical terms that every boat operator should know. You may feel like you are completely free when out on the water, but it’s important to remember that there are rules and regulations governing boating on Canadian waters.
All Canadian boaters need a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) in order to operate a motorized vessel legally anywhere in the country. For more information on boating safety, follow our boater safety course and take the official boating exam online.