He was being pulled to the side of the boat!

He read the name on the side of the boat.

She let her head drop back against the side of the boat.

She walked to the side of the boat, and he offered his hand.

In a moment more he had come to the side of the boat.

Or it could just mean everybody is running from one side of the boat to the other.

She put a hand on the side of the boat.

Joe said nothing, but looked over the side of the boat.

He went over to the side of the boat and sat down.

Jack looked over the side of the boat, to the left bank and then to the right.