Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left” and “right?”

Re:Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left”... by soneil on Tuesday April 18, 2023 @08:05PM (#35622340)

> Ironically enough, port and starboard markers which are the red and green buoys you see near to ports (yes!) need to be considered in reverse when going out. The green ones are called starboard markers and if you are in a big enough vessel, you should keep them off your starboard (right) side when approaching a port from the open seas. On the way out from port to the open seas you should keep the red ones on your right instead. If you don't you will hit the seabed and sink.

Just to keep things fun, that's the european convention. In the US it's "red right returning", the exact opposite.

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Re:Why do ships use “port” and “starboard” instead of “left”... by gerdesj on Wednesday April 19, 2023 @07:34PM (#35634632)

This: https://www.cruisingworld.com/red-right-returning/ describes it better than you or I:

"But whether they are green to port and red to starboard or the opposite depends entirely upon what region of the world you are navigating. The IALA established two regions: Region A and Region B.

Region A consists of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Africa and most of Asia. When entering a harbor in this region, marks to port are red and marks to starboard are green.

Region B consists of North America, Central America and South America, plus the Philippines, Japan and Korea. When entering a harbor in this region, marks to port are green and marks to starboard are red (red, right, return!)."

I had no idea but I do now!

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