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Chapter 1: The Basics of Your Boat

Knowing Port from Starboard

Now, to get our bearings, please refer to the image below for the different sides and directions, of the vessel.

Sides of a boat

Bow: The Front of the vessel.

Stern: The Back of the vessel.

Port: The Left side of the vessel.

Starboard: The Right side of the vessel.

Aft: Indicates the direction towards the stern of the boat.

Forward: Indicates the direction towards the bow of the boat.

A common trick for remembering the position of Port is to recall that the words "Port" and "Left" both have four letters.