At sea, something can go wrong at any time. So it is really important that everything aboard can be clearly identified and described.
Using the words 'left' and 'right' could be confusing on a boat, because these change depending which way you are facing.
'Port' and 'starboard' are the 'left' and 'right' of the boat itself, which never changes.
Port is left and always shown in red.
Starboard is right and always shown in green.
Rhyme to help you remember:
Tips for remembering:
Port = left (both short words with 4 letters)
Starboard = right (both longer words)
The windward side of the boat is the side the wind is blowing against.
The leeward side of the boat is the sheltered side.
