What is Left and Right?

Left and right – port and starboard – banks are named relative to a boats direction heading downstream. The left or port bank is the one on your left as you are heading in the direction that the river flows.

There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, on the New York State Barge Canal System the starboard side is the northern side, or the right side if you are heading from Waterford to Buffalo, New York.

On the IntraCoastal Waterway, the green marks would be toward the sea, thus the saying, "Green to Sea.."

Your best bet is to always check the charts. It would be a major mistake to go on the wrong side of a buoy and get in trouble.

This helpful boating pointer is provided by Catamaran Sailors Magazine, http://www.catsailor.com/.These tips are useful to boaters of all types.

ABA assumes no responsibility or liability for events that occur due to actions you or others on your behalf take based on the information given. You are proceeding at your own risk.