Why do ships use port and starboard instead of left and right?

Unlike left and right, port and starboard refer to fixed locations on a vessel.

AlaskaDigitalAcademy (@AlaskaDigital) / X

AlaskaDigitalAcademy (@AlaskaDigital) / X

WHY PORT and STARBOARD? Why not Left and Right?

Why do ships use port and starboard instead of left and right? - Quora

Ocean going vessels ~ NOAA Ship Fairweather Begins Survey Mission

AlaskaDigitalAcademy (@AlaskaDigital) / X

Bold Marine

Why do food courts stop selling toast after morning? : r/askSingapore

Niçin sağ-sol değil de sancak-iskele? - Marina Kedisi