When Ship is Docked is the Front Facing Left

[ionsys]

as you look at the ship standing on the pier

 

or would the ship's front be facing to your right

[AZaTaz]

It all depends, on the dock, the position of the ship, and where in the world you are.

[Desertbelle]

Ships can dock with either side towards the dock/pier.

[jakedoc]

It all depends.

[LouisV]

as you look at the ship standing on the pier

 

or would the ship's front be facing to your right

 

I'm not good with the technical naval terms of right and left but that description made me a little seasick!!! lol

[Putterdude]

Ships are generally assigned docks by the harbormaster and if the dock has 2 sides he will also dictate which side the ship will tie up to. Depending on wind, tides and currents at the time of arrival or departure the captain may request to tie up with the bow facing in or bow facing out out.

[dwp381]

Pointy end is forward on all ships. Easy way to remember port (left) from starboard (right) is port has 4 letters-same as left.

[Luv4dacruise]

as you look at the ship standing on the pier

 

or would the ship's front be facing to your right

 

Ummmm, can i buy a vowel?......

 

No, seriously though, the ships can dock however need be. Some of these needs could be due to weather, ships already being docked, ease of entering/leaving the port. A lot of different variables can come into play as to ho the ship docks.

[Peteymil]

Easy way to remember port (left) from starboard (right) is port has 4 letters-same as left.

 

 

I could never remember which was which---now I won't forget! Thanks

[LouisV]

Pointy end is forward on all ships. Easy way to remember port (left) from starboard (right) is port has 4 letters-same as left.

 

Thanks! I can never remember either and this will help!

 

Now what is the better side to get a cabin on?

[denb]

Starboard

 

The Vikings called the side of their ship its board, and they placed the steering oar, the "star" on the right side of the ship, thus that side became known as the "star board." It's been that way ever since. And, because the oar was in the right side, the ship was tied to the dock at the left side. This was known as the loading side or "larboard". Later, it was decided that "larboard" and "starboard" were too similar, especially when trying to be heard over the roar of a heavy sea, so the phrase became the "side at which you tied up to in port" or the "port" side.

[BBsails]

In the northern hemisphere, it's on the right; in the southern hemisphere it's on the left.

[TenerifeSharon]

In the northern hemisphere, it's on the right; in the southern hemisphere it's on the left.

Hey, April 1 was yesterday.:D

[jeffkauf]

as you look at the ship standing on the pier

 

or would the ship's front be facing to your right

 

The front would normally be facing forward except it the aft is facing backwards.

[mferranti]

The only thing I care about is that the smokestack faces up and the keel faces down.

[calgarygary]

The only thing I care about is that the smokestack faces up and the keel faces down.

That gets a big thumbs up.

[Putterdude]

One way to remember port is left and the port running light is red is "I left port and port wine is red". My dad taught me that as a young boy and it has never left me.

[KreinKrunker]

"I left port and port wine is red".

 

Don't forget "Red on the right, when a sailor returns at night.":D

[mafig]

In boating class we were taught:

 

Is there any RED port wine left?

[barbidoll]

My easy way of remembering is to keep port & starboard in alphabetical order.....Port comes 1st which is left, next is Starboard to the right. Works for me :) .

[emptynest1]

Denb,

Your history lesson was great. I should have known you would reply to this with some real knowledge.:D

[Dale]

:D :D

I think the best way to remember, is the way the Captain does.

Always keep a note in your pocket that says, left side "pointy end" is port, right side is starboard.

[wolfshadow]

Starboard

 

The Vikings called the side of their ship its board, and they placed the steering oar, the "star" on the right side of the ship, thus that side became known as the "star board." It's been that way ever since. And, because the oar was in the right side, the ship was tied to the dock at the left side. This was known as the loading side or "larboard". Later, it was decided that "larboard" and "starboard" were too similar, especially when trying to be heard over the roar of a heavy sea, so the phrase became the "side at which you tied up to in port" or the "port" side.

Well, since being raised around my uncle's yacht harbor, the terms have been emblazened in me, but I really enjoyed hearing as to how these terms came to be. Thank you for sharing!