View Full Version : PORT AND STARBOARD
WHY RED FOR PORT AND GREEN FOR STARBOARD ?
SOMETHING TO DO WITH NAUTICAL TERMS I KNOW, BUT WHAT EXACTLY ?
Tinstaafl
6th Dec 2001, 21:02
Not sure exactly what you're asking, however:
Many aviation (read aeronautical terms are derived from maritime equivalents.
Starboard (Origin: Steerboard) From the days when the rudder was a steering oar, mounted on the righthand side of the the stern.
Port (ie portside): The side the boat put to the dock/port so that the steering oar wasn't damaged/fouled.
Red is used on the port side on ships so now we do too.
Green is used on the starboard side on ships so ditto for us.
Don't know why the assocation of red :port green:starboard though...
[ 06 December 2001: Message edited by: Tinstaafl ]
aspinwing
6th Dec 2001, 21:44
Purely arbitrary!
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/faqs/nav1.htm
but it is why you "give way to starboard"; because you should be looking at a red light and conversely the other pilot should be looking at a green light. Which also leads to giving way to the right when arriving at an intersection with four way stop signs. :cool: