Originally Posted by
saislor
On US ships, right and left are used for helm orders only. This avoids confusion when someone says, "what is that 20 degrees to starboard" followed by the helm responding "20 degrees starboard, aye." followed by the conn saying something nautical but not repeatable.
"The port goes down the throat" is how I was taught to find the throat and peak halyards on a gaff-rigged vessel. The throat halyard is attached to the end of the gaff by the mast, and is hauled on the port side.
On British war ships I believe directions are given with a colour. "Green five ooh" "Red twenty". iirc this is because you may order a turn to left but end up facing right (if that makes sense).