What do red and white lights on another boat mean?

If a red and a white light are visible, then another craft is approaching you from the starboard (right) side. In this situation you are the give-way craft and must yield right-of-way. You should take early and substantial action to steer well clear of the other craft.

What must you do if you see another vessel's red and white lights?

When you are in a power-driven vessel and you see a red, a green, and a white light, you are approaching another power-driven vessel head-on and both vessels must give way.

What should you do when you see red and white lights on another boat at night?

If you're in a powerboat at night, and see another boat's red light and white light, but not the green light, you are generally in a “give-way” position. This means that you must slow, turn, stop, or make whatever other maneuver is necessary to stay out of that boat's way.

What boat has a red and white light on top?

A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall display: sidelights, sternlight and. all-around lights in a vertical line, the upper being red over white light.

What does it mean when you see green and white lights on another boat?

If a green and a white light are visible, then another craft is approaching you from the port (left) side. In this situation, you are the stand-on craft and should maintain your speed and course. The other craft should take early and substantial action to steer well clear of your craft.

Navigation lights on a boat

What action should you take if you are approaching another boat at night and see a green and white light?

Port (Left) Approach

If a green and white light is visible, then another boat is approaching you from your boat's port (left) side. In this situation, you are the stand-on craft and should maintain your speed and direction. The other boat should take early and substantial action to steer well clear of your boat.

What does red and green light indicate when seen together at night?

The red and green lights. They are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel's port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel's starboard (right) side.

What lights should be on a boat at night?

The required lights are: Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile away on a dark, clear night. An all-round white light or both a masthead light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at least two miles away on a dark, clear night.

What color lights go on the front of a boat?

A masthead light is a white light at the front of the boat. The masthead light needs to be visible across 225 degrees and from two miles away. A stern light, which is a white light at the rear of the boat. The stern light needs to be visible across 135 degrees and from two miles away.

When approaching another boat head on you should steer to starboard and sound how many horn blasts?

If you approach another vessel head on, and wish to pass it on its starboard side, you are required to sound two short blasts with your horn. If the other vessel is in agreement, they should sound the same signal in response.

When encountering other vessels in darkness or reduced visibility What do visible white and red lights indicate?

Sailboat B: When white and red lights are visible, it means one is approaching a powered-vessel from their starboard side. One must stand-on. Always remember that when two powered-vessels approach one another, in the water, the boat approaching on the port side is the give-way vessel.

When one boat is overtaking another which boat must give way?

Paths That Cross: The vessel on the operator's port (left) is the give-way vessel. The vessel on the operator's starboard (right) is the stand-on vessel. Overtaking: The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.

What does a flashing red light on a boat mean?

A red flashing light is commonly used as a night signal for "dangerous cargo" yet you hardly ever find mention of it.

What side are the red and green lights on a boat?

The red light designates the vessel's left, or port, side, while the green light designates the right, or starboard, side. A sternlight is a white light that is located at the stern of the boat and is only visible from behind the vessel.

What does red on deck mean on a boat?

Port (direction). The left side of a boat when facing the bow. Signified by Red. The opposite side from Starboard. Trick to remember - 'After a party, there's no red port left'.

What do the colored lights mean on a boat?

Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel's port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel's starboard (right) side.

How do I remember port and starboard?

What are running lights on a boat?

A boat's running lights tell much about the night time operation of a vessel. For example it can indicate if the vessel is a sail boat or power boat, if you're looking at its starboard or port side, or if its coming or going.

What color lights do you need on a boat at night?

What lights are required on a boat at night? The required lights are: Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night.

Why do boats use red lights at night?

Red light, night light. The human eye is less sensitive to longer wavelengths, so red light is chosen to preserve the night vision of the crew while still allowing them to still see their instrument panels.

When should anchor light be on?

While it is not technically required for recreational vessels to exhibit an anchor light unless they are outside of a designated anchorage, or anchored in a narrow channel or anchorage where other vessels normally navigate, the Rules state that “a vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-around white ...

What does a blue light on a boat mean?

If you are not aware, and some of those boaters obviously weren't, anytime you see a flashing blue light it indicates a law enforcement vessel is operating in the area.

What is being signaled when you hear 5?

Warning. One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip). Five (or more) short, rapid blasts signal danger or signal that you do not understand or that you disagree with the other boater's intentions.

Which side do you pass an oncoming boat?

If you meet another boat head-on: Under the boating rules of the road, vessels approaching each other head-on are always supposed to pass each other port to port — or left to left, just like on the road.