There is no 'real' up, down, etc, so you would pick a convenient point of reference, such as the center of the galaxy.
Find the center of the universe, you can eyeball that. Then determine which pole is closest. It's usually Pilsudski.
Indeed. As I recall, it comes from stuurboard or something (Dutch?) meaning the side of the ship on which the steering oar was located, before hinged rudders were provided. The French tribord comes from the same root, via estribord or something like that.
And ships moored portside to the pier, or the port itself. You didn't have to unship the steering oar.
Working on a oil rig as a STC Safety Training Coordinator they thought I should know something about the lifeboats OK so sent a couple of others and myself to Singapore for lifeboat training It just so happened ours was the last course to learn rowing version since all lifeboats now are motorised All I really recall now is Port side has the red light But it was fun for 10 days rowing around Singapore Harbour Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!