port/starboard and left/right

[Ben Ostrowsky]

A friend who "used to drive a ship" in the US Navy says:

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Rudder commands are "left", "right", "amidships".

Lookouts report contacts [with respect] to the "port" or "starboard" side,
quarter, or bow.

...[E]ngine commands on a twin-screw ship can refer to "port" and
"starboard" engines separately.

For a proper reference, which Clancy probably owns, Knight's
Modern Seamanship, Chapter 9 is your best guide.

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And here endeth my tale, I hope.

Ben