what is a starboard
The right side of the boat is called the starboard side because it was the side the 'steering board', which we now call an oar or rudder was mounted. Starboard is the old seaman's bastardization of steering board. Since the steering board was mounted on the right side of the boat, that side could not be tied up to the warf or dock when in port. Therefore, the left side of the boat is called the port side because it was the side that was tied up to the warf or dock when in port.