Port or starboard?

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

I wonder whether there was a preferred side for berthing, or whether it merely depended on local conditions.

At the QEII Terminal in Southampton, I always experienced QE2 portside to the berth, and now I wonder whether even the term (portside) indicates that this is the preferred side.

Just curious!

[Alan Snelson]

Starboard is actually the word which has been in use for longer than Port. Starboard derives from several North European languages and literally means 'Steer Board' which is what the rudder was originally named. The rudder was traditionally fitted to the right hand side of a vessel as most people are right handed, so they could stand to the left of the steering post and steer with their right hand.

In order to avoid the risk of damage to the steering gear the left side was moored to the dock. The left side of the vessel was originally referred to as 'Larboard' which is thought to be derived from 'Lade' which means to load. It is believed that because the words 'Starboard' and 'Larboard' sound quite similar they could easily become confused, especially on open decks in heavy weather, so the alternative naming of the left of a vessel to 'Port side' was adopted.

[Twynkle]

QM2 followed in QE2's wake as she sailed across the world in 2011, she even parked the spaces specifically labelled for QE2 on the quayside.
On QE2 it was usual to guess which side first, often guessing it would be portside, as it was many times, the custom - then ask for confirmation - and then to hang out on the appropriate side on the Bit Beneath the Bridge to watch her being tied up, before legging it down aft to hang over the side to watch again...etcetera! Usually everything depended on wind direction, depths and tides, tugs on station etc - each one always a consideration given the size/acre-age of her beam, availability of turning space, other ships already in position, or waiting to be docked, and for loading / unloading, whichever side the warehouses and cranes were located. Quays in Port Everglades, Montevideo and was it Safaga(?) in Egypt, sailing in and berthing come to mind as being highly 'interesting' places to watch!
(HN and other Deck Officers - please feel free to add to, correct or dismiss this bit of a 'lay' post!)

Invariably QM2 was berthed alongside with her bow pointing towards the harbour entrance - her portside gangways usually being those that were deployed.

Many older travellers still practice sitting on 'Portside out, and Starb'd back' - preferably to avoid the heat of the sun in tropical and equatorial waters on the outward bound south-easterly trade routes to India, S Africa and Australia etc.
Homeward bound would see them arranged in steamer chairs on the starb'd decks - the preferred way to keep 'sun-free' whilst sailing north.
Port-Out, and Starboard-Home.  The acronym (POSH) giving meaning to the appropriately termed 'posh' as in people!

[Peter Mugridge]

I've heard a similar story about the word posh, but portside out meaning being on the sunny sifde from Southampton to New York and vice versa.

So, two different versions of the story, opposite in reasoning but both with the same end result!

[skilly56]

QE2 always berthed Stbd-side-to in Auckland

Possibly the master would get confused because he was upside down!

Skilly

[Rod]

My recollection is that for preference, it was Starboard side to, Where ever. The decision would then be made as to tide wind  etc. Water was generally take on on the Starboard side.

[Graham Taylor]

My recollection is the same as Rod's; as for reason, QE2 presented her best side bow in to arriving passengers coming in from the dock gates. Also berthing starboard on meant that the need to turn the ship in the basin mid-river could be left until departure meaning a prompt arrival for disembarkation/embarkation/re-victualling.