Why Red Right Return

C

cmariner32

Member
exMember
Joined
Jan 20, 2002
RO Number
7269
Messages
802
My son just asked me why in boating is it Red Right Return rather than Red Starboard Return? If you are boating, one of the first things you learn is the differnce between starboard and port. I didn't have an answer for him. Can anyone clue me in?
 
Did you by any chance notice the mnemonic three-R alliteration ? ;D If RSR works better for him & automatically pops into his head, no problem!
 
"Red left port!"
He kept the "Red on the Right Returning!"
 
It stems from the Hudson river: WHen returning from sea, the bad area was to the right. Hookers, drug dealers, pimps, democrats, Yankees, Rangels and Clintons. So to tell sailors to avoid them areas and to signify the hookers, the red lights were put on the right side.

To the left side was the south, and the gateway to the west. THE Carolinas, southern bells, Fried chicken, grits, Clear liquid, sunshine and warmth. Hence desirable. Go there, green light.

Red on right grren on left. simple
 
quote:
Originally posted by Shadowcruzr

It stems from the Hudson river: WHen returning from sea, the bad area was to the right. Hookers, drug dealers, pimps, democrats, Yankees, Rangels and Clintons. So to tell sailors to avoid them areas and to signify the hookers, the red lights were put on the right side.

To the left side was the south, and the gateway to the west. THE Carolinas, southern bells, Fried chicken, grits, Clear liquid, sunshine and warmth. Hence desirable. Go there, green light.

Red on right grren on left. simple

Click to expand...


wow, Rangels and Clintons they were bad back then also, nothing changes !
 
I like shadow's explanation the best-and my son is even old enough that I can tell him that answer. Thanks for the new knowledge guys!!
 
I think the nautical terms have been developed to create a way to rhyme, reason and remember.

Red Right Return
White over Red, Captain is Dead
Yellow Over White, My Tow Line is Tight
Two Short To Port
 
I learnt it a different way.

There once was a man from Nantuckett . . .

RWS
 
I guess it's meant for non-boaters to also understand.
Also, somehow it's difficult for some people to get the
port/starboard thing right away.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Cpt. Harold

I guess it's meant for non-boaters to also understand.
Also, somehow it's difficult for some people to get the
port/starboard thing right away.

Click to expand...


My favorite boating story - I told a charter on board we would be tying up on the starboard side, he asked "your starboard or mine starboard"
 
I was in St. Augustine today and happened to run into a very good friend of mine. He's an older gentleman, even comapred to me, and was probably sailing before the Wright Brothers made their first flight.

As we sat and had a couple of beers together I relayed this thread to him and ask him if he knew the origin of the term.

His reply was as follows: "Now that's a stupid question. Of course I know why they say "Red Right Return". It's because "Red Left Return" will land your a$$ on the rocks."

Now who can argue with that?

Bob
 
Port and starboard are as related to the boat i.e. port side, starboard side etc.
Right and left are directions.
 
Shadowcruiser, I'm going to put your post on another forum. I like it. I laughed at that one. So creative.
 
Shadow, I bet the hookers, drug dealers and pimps are going to be upset you grouped them with such a nasty lot.
 
Duda, you're probably right that they'll be upset . It does lower their standing...
 
Explain to your son that a lot of people get in trouble following this "rule". You have to know which channel the buoy is marking before you apply this rule. We have a lot of intersection channels in this area and without a chart or lots of local experience you can get on the srong side of a buoy. A harbor entrance is one thing but in more open areas be careful.

Also explain he can get in a lot of trouble along the Hudson if he applies the origin of this rule.
 
And this week while explaining the three R's. . . . .she said to me "so It's GREEN right going ?". . . Yep, that works for me.
 
When in a crossing situation a boat on your right will show a red light. Thus in general, a red light to your right is danger. So coming into a harbor at night, it makes sense for red lights to be on the right. Returning from sea is the more at risk situation than departing. To be known though, red right is not the rule in all countries. At one time some buoys were black.

Always check your chart. Went boating between an island and the mainland, which way is returning from sea is subjective. One time I knew I was coming into Greenport around Shelter Island but since there was another route from the port to sea, the buoys were opposite what I expected. I nearly went on the wrong side.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top