Because port/starboard refers to the left/right side of the ship, regardless how the person orientated.
If you are facing the front of the ship, then yes, port = left.
If you are facing the back of the ship, port = right.
So it is very handy to have words that always refer to the same part of the ship.
(All the other terms, like front/bow and stern/rear, who cares? I dunno.)
your car also has a left and right side / driver’s right and driver’s left, mechanics are often looking at the engine bay from the front looking back so left is their right.
Actually the sides of a car would be referred to as the driver and the passenger sides of the car, but if I said left and right side everyone would know what I was talking about.
Because port/starboard refers to the left/right side of the ship, regardless how the person orientated. If you are facing the front of the ship, then yes, port = left. If you are facing the back of the ship, port = right. So it is very handy to have words that always refer to the same part of the ship.
(All the other terms, like front/bow and stern/rear, who cares? I dunno.)
If I turn my head around and look backwards the right and left side of my body don’t change. It’s always in relation to the front of me.
If I referred to something being on the right side or left side of my car, anyone would know which side I meant.
In a car, sure, since 99% of the seats face the front. Same for an airplane. Left is left, right is right.
How would you do that with for instance a classic rowboat? Then your left is on the right side, no matter how you turn your head?
your car also has a left and right side / driver’s right and driver’s left, mechanics are often looking at the engine bay from the front looking back so left is their right.
Actually the sides of a car would be referred to as the driver and the passenger sides of the car, but if I said left and right side everyone would know what I was talking about.