Port Tack

The tack on which the wind is coming from the vessel’s port side.

On a conventional fore-and-aft rig the mainsail and boom are normally to starboard, but sail position is evidence rather than the defining rule and unusual or backed sails can mislead. Tack is determined by the side from which the wind is received.

Under the sailing-vessel rule in the collision regulations, a vessel on port tack generally keeps out of the way of a sailing vessel on starboard tack when risk of collision exists. The complete encounter, vessel status and all applicable rules still have to be assessed.