I learned a lot quickly. Basics like port is on the left, starboard on the right when facing the bow (the front.) I learned what a keel is and that it's not a good idea to navigate shallow canals with a long one. As you go down river, there are pylons in the water that mark the allowable path - you are to keep the red one on your right and the green one on your left. When going through a bridge, like the one below, follow the yellow diamond.
I learned to tie a few boating knots like the cleat hitch. I learned you fly your country's flag on the back of the boat. The "courtesy flag", the flag of the country you're in, is flown on the main mast, out of respect. Nautical miles are calculated using degrees of latitude - thus they are not the same as regular miles. Speed in knots is related - if you travel at a speed of one knot you'll cover one minute of latitude in an hour.
I learned a whole lot of other interesting facts too. However, the wine was flowing pretty heavily and I don't know how many of them are true. Wayne and Henry were one-upping each other.
Wayne: "Did you know boats pass port to port because in the Viking times, the rudders were on the starboard side?"
Henry: "Yes, I knew that. Do you know why the English drive on the left? Because in the old days, horses used to pass on the left so the knights could draw their swords, which they wore on their left side since they were all right-handed."
Wayne: "That's a good one, but how about this - do you know why womens' blouses button on the opposite as mens' ? Well, women mount horses from the left and sit side-saddle with their legs on the left. The buttons were changed so the wind wouldn’t blow open their clothes."
Henry: "The modern-day salute came from knights opening up their helmet visors to show who they were."
They went on and on like this for some time. It was very entertaining.
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