Was this common practice

[Tony Geeves]

Going off the beaten track a bit, on the Tasmania Star in 1967, after some midnight painting of the the Bluff cliff in Napier N.Z., some wisecrack also did some name alteration on the bow. We ended up as the Maniac Star. Skipper not too well pleased!. regards, T.G.

[j.sabourn]

When you think back to all those years ago when shore people used to query port and starboard, and how you remembered the most basic terms. The replys one used to give port was Red like port wine and there were 4 letters in port and 4 in left. Starboard was green like Creme de Menthe etc. etc. I have never thought of right and left for years now and is always port or starboard. Going back to some of our famous press who actually report on ships etc. I would imagine most have still not mastered these very basic terms yet, and still have the temerity to give what appears to be judgement on other people. Cheers John Sabourn.

[Dennis McGuckin]

While driving [left hand drive] I always ask the passanger to check starboard. Wife understands, but had a few near calls with some others!
Den.

[happy daze john in oz]

..................some wisecrack also did some name alteration on the bow. We ended up as the Maniac Star..................

With some ships that name may well have been appropriate.