Get unlimited access to the best of MySeaTime for less than ₹100/week. Become a member

Why Captain’s cabin is always on starboard side ?

There are many questions in shipping industry which seem to be mysteries of the ancient shipping times with as many theories floating. And one of these question is “Why Captain’s cabin is always on Starboard side?” Here is what I have gathered during my sea career.

Captain’s cabin on the starboard side is a tradition that has been since many years but there has been some exceptions to it where captain’s cabin is on port side. Leaving aside the exceptions, in old days, the starboard side was considered superior to port side in every sense, be it flag etiquettes or two watch system in old days where more experienced staff used to keep watch on starboard side, the starboard side was considered superior to port side. Captain being overall incharge of the ship was considered superior to all the crew onboard and was given superior side of the ship.

In modern days however it is not superiority that is considered for captain cabin to starboard side. Starboard side is give way side in ROR (Rule of the road) and captain is expected to see the traffic on starboard side of his ship just to be aware of the traffic situation where it is his ship’s duty to take action. He can then also monitor if the officer on watch has taken the required action to avoid close quarter situation.

Do you have any other theory or do you agree with this explanation ? Do you have any other such question ? Leave a comment.

Meanwhile wishing you all fair winds and following seas.

Join now to access this article and much more.

Admin has placed this article behind a paywall, making it accessible only with a paid membership, which offers numerous perks:

Contribute to creating a platform for reading and writing without ads.
Enjoy all content here, including exclusive articles for members.
Gain access to all exclusive articles for members.

Comments (42)

Robert Ross September 30, 2023

I have alternative explanations for why the starboard side is called the starboard side and how that relates to both COLREGS Rule 15 and the location of the Captain\'s cabin. In the early days of sailing vessels rudders were not hung on the centerline. Rather, the \"steering board\" was usually suspended off the right side of the vessel. This gave the helmsman better visibility to the right side which also gave him the better ability to avoid a collision if another vessel was approaching from that side. The helmsman of the other vessel might not even be able to see to the left side of his vessel due to the sail or some other visual obstruction. \"Steering board\" gave us the term \"starboard\" while also establishing what is still the fundamental principle in the COLREGS: namely that the vessel which is better able to maneuver to avoid a collision is the vessel which has the primary responsibility to do so. If two vessels have the same ability to maneuver, then the deciding factor is which vessel has the other to the starboard side. Given that visibility from modern vessels, as well as their maneuverability is almost always the same from starboard to port, the \"burdened to starboard\" rule might seem arbitrary but it is really carried down from the early days of sailing vessels. Finally, the Captain\'s cabin is to the starboard side so that he can look out the window to check up on the deck watch officer. At any rate, that\'s my story and I am sticking to it.

0

Login to Reply
Clara C Olivo April 22, 2023

Be strong in any situations you are going through just know that a lot of people go through the same problems almost everyday. I’m happy to announce my finding of solutions about recovering my money from these crooks. If you’ve been ripped off, email Recoverypro247 @ GnAIL COM. I was in the same shoes also and I know how it feels to be ripped off by someone you trusted with your investment, They take no upfront payment. Just email this recovery agent and thank me later. God bless you and stay safe

0

Login to Reply
srislawyar November 29, 2022

The best aspect about hiring bankruptcy lawyers near me in Virginia is that dedicated attorneys are available throughout Virginia. Reckless Driving Lawyer Hanover Virginia https://srislawyer.com/traffic-lawyer-in-hanover-county-va-reckless-driving-uniform-summons/

0

Login to Reply
Cysecon February 21, 2022

hi..... I got such a good information on this topic its very interesting one. You made a good site and I have found a similar website, please check this one Ethical Hacking Training visit the site to know more about cysecon.

0

Login to Reply
Vantagepointx February 4, 2022

Hi, very informative post! Vantage point X Is the next-generation Artificial Intelligence empowered trading System. It enhanced classic VPX Elite EA with the ability to add multi-pairs and multi-time frames with minimum drawdown. https://www.vantagepointx.com/forex-trading-profit-of-491/

0

Login to Reply
mark richard December 24, 2021

for a legit hack transfer i recommend darkwebprogrammer@gmail.com for you all they are the best i assure you.

0

Login to Reply
ALLEN DAVE October 22, 2021

Have you tried getting that coinbase done on your new phone

0

Login to Reply
Lisa October 18, 2021

I really like the fashion and i am crazy for this. if you have any idea about the ladies replica suits so share with me.

0

Login to Reply
Robert September 24, 2021

Lansweeper Serial Key provides a statistical view of many devices such as RAM, CPU, bandwidths, and hard drives. Your blog is very effective and useful. Thanks for sharing. barocrack

0

Login to Reply
Abhay kumar May 16, 2021

Sir pls answer my question why emergency generator onboard is on stbd side

0

Login to Reply
Florida RV Lot March 30, 2021

Thank you for sharing this information about why captains cabin is always on starboard side. It was useful and interesting. You indeed have written it in a layman way so that anyone can understand and work accordingly. You have done a great job... Great post!!I never thought will get to visit this campflaresort.com oh, has some nice content for everyone.

0

Login to Reply
Jakob Krogh January 4, 2021

Hey captain. I have a guess, which dates back to the viking era, when they used to use the stars for navigation the captain would always be facing the stars and maybe the tradition just carried on from there? Again its just a guess, and thanks for the insightful blogs. Have a good day where ever you are.

0

Login to Reply
Manikandan September 9, 2020

Hello sir, I have a doubt far so many days can u plz tell me exactly why steering degrees of 30-35degrees in 28seconds why not 35-35 or 30-30 why it's 35-30 in 28 what is the exact reason behind it sir

1

Login to Reply

Sher Singh August 26, 2022

because after 30deg hunting lever become sluggish and does not give accurate value w,r.t time

Login to Reply
Sanjiv Verma February 9, 2020

Another interesting explanation to why that side of the ship is called " Starboard " . Well in the days of sailing ships crossing the Atlantic Ocean from England to America, they would try and keep the ship on 50 degrees latitude ( parallel sailing) throughout. For this the star Polaris had to be kept abeam and at 50 degrees altitude from the horizon. The navigator would stand on a board fixed on the gunwale on that side to observe the pole star ( Polaris) and thus the name STARBOARD!

0

Login to Reply
TungWing Chow December 25, 2019

It is basically due to the Capt is always "Right"

0

Login to Reply
Roshan D Raj November 24, 2019

Simple ways for byheart days work method

0

Login to Reply
Nelson September 14, 2019

Dear sir, can we make a masters review on sms even if there is still another pending? It means that the company has not yet acted upon previous masters review. Thank you

0

Login to Reply
Vanashri August 1, 2019

Well said Sir, You are really doing great job by sharing your knowledge with fellow seafarers. My heartfelt thanks on that. Also sir can you enlighten also as to why the stbd side anchor has more shackles than port side? Thanks in advance..

0

Login to Reply
Mohan muthu April 3, 2019

Dear sir, Can you please explain how to go about ODME failure and hiw to go about decanting with inoperative ODMCS.

0

Login to Reply
N.S.M. Rao October 30, 2018

Well said Capt.

0

Login to Reply

About Capt Rajeev Jassal

Capt. Rajeev Jassal has sailed for over 24 years mainly on crude oil, product and chemical tankers. He holds MBA in shipping & Logistics degree from London. He has done extensive research on quantitatively measuring Safety culture onboard and safety climate ashore which he believes is the most important element for safer shipping.