Port or Starboard Side to the Pier

[TJM001]

The Caribbean Princess is docked today with her port side to the pier. As often as not, ships dock starboard side next the the pier. Does anyone know why ships sometimes dock one way and sometimes the other? Is it just a whim of the Captain or pilot or is there a more substantive reason? Just curious.

[cr8tiv1]

The Caribbean Princess is docked today with her port side to the pier. As often as not, ships dock starboard side next the the pier. Does anyone know why ships sometimes dock one way and sometimes the other? Is it just a whim of the Captain or pilot or is there a more substantive reason? Just curious.

 

Sometimes it depends if they are "backing in" to a port because it is too tight to turn around. I really don't think it matters much now since they have side boosters. I've seen ships turn around on a dime.

 

Aloha Towers, Honolulu is bow first for Princess ships. Disembarkation is from the Starboard side.

 

NCL parks at a different pier but also is bow first. But I think disembarkation is on the port side.

 

Renee

[Kamloops50]

The Caribbean Princess is docked today with her port side to the pier. As often as not, ships dock starboard side next the the pier. Does anyone know why ships sometimes dock one way and sometimes the other? Is it just a whim of the Captain or pilot or is there a more substantive reason? Just curious.

 

It depends on what the chief engineer needs to work on . If they need to do testing on one side they will dock differently as well.

[1025cruise]

It depends on the Captain, harbor master, pilot, etc. Could also be a maintenance thing. They have crew doing painting, etc while the ship is docked. They probably face the way its easiest for them to do their work.

[Av8tor]

Tides, currents and the prevailing wind also enter into the picture. Also could depend on whether the quarter lands as heads or tails...:D

[Putterdude]

The harbour master along with the captain make the decison and it is based on ship traffic, winds, tide, currents.

[TJM001]

Thank you to all those who responded to my query.