Why Captains cabin is always on

starboard side ?
Written by Capt Rajeev Jassal on February 10, 2015

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 Captains cabin is
always on Starboard side? Here is what I have gathered during
my sea career.

Captains cabin on the starboard side is a tradition that has been

since many years but there has been some exceptions to it where
captains 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 ships 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.