Fremantle-Melbourne: Port or Starboard?

[lyndarra]

On 5/13/2022 at 4:03 PM, Aus Traveller said:

It's true that the term 'port' for the left-hand side of the ship came about because the steering 'oar' was on the right-hand side, hence 'starboard' (or 'steerboard') and they obviously had to dock with the other side against the wharf. Obviously this doesn't apply now.

 

Left was originally "larboard" which is the side where loading of ships took place - from "lade" to load. It was changed to avoid confusion when skipper was calling to helmsman starboard/larboard.

I've noticed ships dock at OPT with starboard to wharf. While moored this way, fuelling tenders etc have a clear port side to do whatever they need to do.