why is starboard called starboard?

Internet reference

A good explanation for both can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starboard

Further, check out http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq59-10.htm for the executive order from the Navy for the move to "port".

Great help ccarlson...i'm sure Nilo should understand the concept better now.

Easy!!

With the memotechnic line "The captain left his port on board" it has been easy to remember that side of a boat/ship.
Therefore the "other side" could be named whatever!

Sometimes the most ridiculous explanation is the easiest to remember... "Port sounds like right, so it's left".

I know, it makes no sense. That's why it works.

I always went with "port has four letters and ends in 't' just like left does". Now I'm just used to it and don't have to think.

Thanks for the Wiki reference. Very interesting.

Someone once yelled the following message to me, which embedded the thought permanently, with never a moment's hesitation:

"There ain't no Port LEFT"

regards, Dogsharks

All vikingships had traditional a steering rudder on right side so it
becomes natural to call this side (styrbord in norwegian styr= steer)starboard in english. As I said before: the norwegians started it all

Portside must come from a language mistake sometime in the history
(Its babord in norwegian, the side without a steering rudder)

Like It.

If it was down to the Royal Navy, in that theme larboard would now be known as RUM and not PORT.

My favorite way to remember is-

'Do you have any of that red port left?'

"Red was a Sailor, who left port"

Was introduced to me as 'Theres no red port left in the bottle' covering marine term, left hand side, and light colour. Always stuck with me.

All the short words are one side.

Left,Port, RED ( navigation light)

Long words on the other side.
Right, Starboard, Green ( Navigation light)

German comment

Starboard in German is "Steuerbord" - means steering board like you can guess.
The other side is "Backbord". If you stay on the steering side, the other is in your back.

my 2 cents

No Port Left

Hi,
I didn't know about the vikings starting it all. My understanding is that right and left were called 'starboard' and 'larboard'. Larboard was changed to 'port' due to the reason of being easily mistaken for 'starboard' in a storm or emergency (they sound almost the same). That's m,y 2 cents.
Thanks for the forum.

aint logged in for a time i picked the right post, thought that was a great answer 5 stars from me

Great mnemonics, guys! Only have heard about half of 'em!