The starboard side of a boat refers to the right-hand side when facing the bow, while the port side is the left-hand side. When looking forward, toward the bow of a ship, port and starboard refer to the left and right sides, respectively. The terms port and starboard are used instead of left and right to avoid confusion, as they are unambiguous references that are independent of a mariner’s orientation. The use of these nautical terms dates back to the early days of boating when ships were controlled using a steering oar. Most sailors were right-handed, so the steering oar was placed over or through the right side of the stern. Sailors began calling the right side the steering side, which soon became "starboard" by combining two Old English words: stéor (meaning "steer") and bord (meaning "the side of a boat") . The term port was used to refer to the side of the ship that faced the port, allowing supplies to be ported aboard by porters. Knowing the starboard side of a boat is essential for safety reasons, as communication is key in boating, and knowing the proper terminology to use when communicating with others on the boat or other boats in the vicinity can prevent confusion and potential accidents.