For many, boating is the activity of the summer. Owning a boat opens a whole world of outdoor recreation including fishing, water sports, swimming, and more. Not to mention, spending a day out on the water is a great way to relax, disconnect from the busyness of day-to-day life, and spend time in nature.
While having fun on the water, it’s important to stay safe. Operating a boat is very different from other vehicles, and with it comes specific terminology that can be confusing to a novice boater. The terms “port” and “starboard” are thrown around a lot if you’ve spent any time on the water. You‘ve also probably heard these terms in movies. But what do they mean? In this article, we are going to explain what port and starboard mean, their history, and why it’s important to know them when you are out on the water.
History and Meaning of the Term Port
Port side refers to the left-hand side of a boat when you are looking toward the bow (front).
Since boats at the time had their steering ore on the starboard side, the left side was typically where people and goods were unloaded and loaded. Originally, the term used for the left side was larboard, which is a derivative of the word ladeboard. Lade is a middle english word which means “load”. Larboard and starboard sounded very similar, so the term port was eventually adopted, first by the Royal Navy in 1844, then the US navy in 1846 to avoid confusion.
History and Meaning of the Term Starboard
Starboard is the right-hand side of the boat when looking toward the bow. Starboard is an evolution of old English words steor and bord combined to steorbord, which means steering side. Boats from this time period were steered by an oar which was situated on the right side of the boat. Overtime, these phrases morphed into starboard, and even when boat steering systems changed, they still referred to the right-hand side.
Why Not Use “Left” and “Right”?
You might be wondering, why don’t mariners just use right and left when referring to the sides of their boat? There’s a logical explanation for this. Left and right are subjective depending on where you are standing or looking. By using specific terms for each side of the vessel, it’s always clear what someone is referring to regardless of the boat’s orientation on the water or the direction someone is facing.
Conclusion
Remembering your portside from your starboard side is easy once you know what they mean. Next time you get out on the water, you’ll never forget the meaning of port and starboard. You’ll also have a bit of nautical history to share with your passengers.
Marine Services at Matson Point S in Riverton
Having trouble with your boat? Matson Point S Auto and Marine is Riverton’s premiere marine service center. Our experienced marine techs can handle everything from seasonal maintenance and winterization to in-depth mechanical repairs and diagnostics. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online today!