Originally Posted by Boffin (Post 2195590)

In the early days of boating, before ships had rudders on their centerlines, boats were controlled using a steering oar. Most sailors were right handed, so the steering oar was placed over or through the right side of the stern. Sailors began calling the right side the steering side, which soon became "starboard" by combining two Old English words: stéor (meaning "steer") and bord (meaning "the side of a boat").

As the size of boats grew, so did the steering oar, making it much easier to tie a boat up to a dock on the side opposite the oar. This side became known as larboard, or "the loading side." Over time, larboard—too easily confused with starboard—was replaced with port. After all, this was the side that faced the port, allowing supplies to be ported aboard by porters.

Originally Posted by npwalters (Post 2195955)

Actually there is an international agreement that sets the navigation lighting standard for all maritime vessels. Imagine the confusion that would exist in international waters if there was not a consistent standard. Same applies to aircraft by the way.

Originally Posted by tibbetts (Post 2196178)

Port and Left have the same number of letters. Easy to remember.