Final answer:
Port bifurcation refers to the division into two channels or paths when a ship approaches a specific point, with the preferred channel being the one on the left side.
Step-by-step explanation:
In nautical terms, port and starboard are used to refer to the left and right sides of a boat or ship when looking forward. Port is the left side, and starboard is the right side.
Bifurcation refers to the division or branching into two channels or paths.
In this context, port bifurcation means that when a ship approaches a particular point, there is a choice to be made between two channels or paths - with the preferred channel being the one on the left side of the ship (port side).
For example, if a ship is approaching a port bifurcation, it will need to navigate and choose the left channel (port side) as the preferred route based on the given indications.