Page

Chapter 5: Navigation Rules

Operating in Darkness

Whenever one is operating in darkness, one must display their navigational lights to make one visible to other boaters. One is navigational lights will also communicate to other boaters whether one is boat is a powered vessel or a sailing vessel and which direction it's heading. The red and green lights will also indicate whether facing one's port or starboard side. All of this information is vital for determining who has the right of way. So, it is essential to everyone's safety.

Navigational lights are absolutely essential for knowing what to do when approaching another vessel. For example, it is important to remember that a powered vessel's white light will be visible from a full 360 degrees, while a sailboat's white light will only be visible from the stern.

Examine each of the diagrams, below, to understand what one should do when approaching another boat in a time of darkness or limited visibility.

Powerboat A: When only a red light is visible, it means one is approaching a sailboat on its port side. Give way to one's starboard side.Sailboat B: When white and green lights are visible, it means one is approaching the starboard side of a powered-vessel. One must stand-on.
Operating in Darkness: Example 1

Example 1:

Powerboat A: When only a white light is visible, one might be overtaking another vessel. One should give-way to either side to avoid a collision.

Powerboat B: Powerboat B is the stand-on vessel and should maintain course and speed.

Operating in Darkness: Example 2

Example 2:

Powerboat A: When white, red, and green lights are all visible one is approaching a powered-vessel head on. One must give way to one's starboard side.

Powerboat B: When white, red, and green lights are all visible, one is approaching a powered-vessel head on. One must give way to one's starboard side.

Operating in Darkness: Example 3

Example 3:

Powerboat A: When only white and red lights are visible, one is approaching a powerboat from the port side. One must give way to one's starboard side.

Powerboat B: When only white and green lights are visible, one is approaching a powerboat from its starboard side. One has the right of way and is the stand-on vessel.

Operating in Darkness: Example 4

Example 4:

Sailboat A: When white, red, and green lights are all visible, one is approaching a powered-vessel, head on. As a sailboat, one must stand-on.

Powerboat B: When only red and green lights are visible, it means one is approaching a sailboat head-on. Remember, a sailboat's white light is only visible from the stern. In this case, because one is approaching a sailboat head-on, one must give way to one's starboard side.

Operating in Darkness: Example 5

Example 5:

Powerboat A: When only a red light is visible, it means one is approaching a sailboat on its port side. Give way to one's starboard side.

Sailboat B: When white and green lights are visible, it means one is approaching the starboard side of a powered-vessel. One must stand-on.

Operating in Darkness: Example 6

Example 6:

Powerboat A: When only a green light is visible, it means one is approaching the starboard side of a sailboat. Yield and give-way on the port side.

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. Use navigational lights to determine which side is the boat's port side and proceed accordingly.