why does starboard tack have priority over port tack?

Question

When looking at the collision regulations, most make sense ie sail having priority over power, windward vessel giving way ... but who (and why) made the arbitrary decition of strarboard having priority over port??

Answer 1

in the Olden Days, when the steering oar ( from where we get 'starboard') was on the right side: when the wind was on the right side and the ship heeling over, the oar would be less in the water and thus less effective than when on port tack, heeling to starboard, and biting deep in the water.....

starboard over port thusly probably got agreed to over a few beers in a waterfront tavern somewhere in the 1400's and spread as common sense....sailors are real big on common sense and simple answers.............when it got codified? Sorry......

Answer 2

Port Tack

Answer 3

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RE:
why does starboard tack have priority over port tack?
When looking at the collision regulations, most make sense ie sail having priority over power, windward vessel giving way ... but who (and why) made the arbitrary decition of strarboard having priority over port??

Answer 4

Someone has to give way if the two meet. I haven't asked any sailors for their own opinion, but my steering and sheeting abilities always feel "stronger" on port tack than if the wind where coming over the other side of the boat, on starboard. So, it may have something to do with manual dexterity being asymmetric. The steering paddle suggestion makes much sense also.

Answer 5

how does starboard have priority over port?
It is the preferred avoidance method, but if you look at the IRPCS it says that you should use any means neccessary to avoid collision (rule 2 - i think).
Its just like when you overtake a vessel you should overtake on the starboard side incase you find yourself in a head on situation.
The decision between starboard and port was probably 50 50, and someone just decided on starboard.

Answer 6

It just grew up, initially from a decision a few sailors made amongst themselves to avoid collisions, and simply expanded to become the accepted practice.

This is different from one ship passing another, which is done port to port unless both masters agree otherwise. This is so each ship is showing its red port light, more easily seen in poor visiblity and a standard symbol for "danger".

Answer 7

Marine law, is an independent decision area of your opinion.
That is to say that no one holds punishment or penalties in
the area of seaman and shipping business. Collisions is a
disaster in sea conditions, much like high speed is not needed
in driving travel autos or buses, once there is loss of life it is now
a matter of legal responsibilities about the frame of performance.
Starboard sailing is an old wise, and experienced quote about
the features of long term recording showing a definite lead to
protect sailing versus current, magnet and militant prowling.
Starboard sail is rule of safety because it is not the way that
the problems assemble such as squalls, or disturbance. Starting
into the wind itself is the point, with many higher velocities on
the surface waiting for port wind is not the general practice.
So tacting into the port or the starboard all get the name for
starboard because it is more of the chart.
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Answer 8

Boats, especially sailing boats don't have the freedom of manoeuvring that you would expect on a land vehicle. Therefore a set of rules has been drawn up so that in a potential collision scenario one boat can sail ahead, and the other has to take the avoiding action. This ensures that two skippers don't hit each other because they are both taking evasive action independently.

Answer 9

It doens't actually matter which tack has priority, as long as everyone sticks to the same rule.
So, the actual rule is fairly aribitrary.. but there has to BE a rule. As long as we all stick to it, all will be well.

Answer 10

That was a man called Justin Movine back in the 1700's

Why-- Because he wanted too.