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.
When encountering another vessel in darkness or reduced visibility What do visible white red and green lights indicate you are overtaking another vessel you are approaching the port left side of another vessel you are approaching the starboard right side of another vessel you?
The visible red and green lights are known as
sidelights
. The light helps boaters to determine which vessels is the give-way vessel when approaching one another at nights.
When encountering other vessels in darkness or reduced visibility What do visible white and green lights indicate a you are approaching the stern of another vessel you are approaching the stern of another vessel B you are approaching the port side of another vessel you are approaching the port?
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. Example 1: Powerboat A: When only a white light is visible, one might be overtaking another vessel.
What do a red green and white light indicate when seen together at night on the water?
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 action should you take if you are approaching another boat at night and see 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 do visible white red and green lights indicate?
Powerboat A: When white, red and green lights are visible, you are
approaching a powerboat head-on
. Give way to your starboard side. Powerboat B: When white, red and green lights are visible, you are approaching a powerboat head-on.
How do you know when you are operating your vessel at a safe speed?
In establishing a safe operating speed, the
operator must take into account visibility
; traffic density; ability to maneuver the vessel (stopping distance and turning ability); background light at night; proximity of navigational hazards; draft of the vessel; limitations of radar equipment; and the state of wind, sea, …
What is the best example of restricted visibility?
During periods of restricted visibility (such as
rain, mist, heavy fog, or hours of darkness
), you should slow to minimum speed to give your vessel an opportunity to maneuver should the risk of a collision arise.
What should you do when approaching another vessel head on?
When power-driven boats approach each other head-on, neither boat has the right-of-way. Both
operators must take early action to steer clear of each other
, by steering to starboard (to the right) as soon as possible to avoid a collision.
When a sailboat is approaching a powerboat which one is the give way vessel?
Paths That Cross:
The power-driven vessel is the give-way vessel
. The sailing vessel is the stand-on vessel.
What light must be shown when a powerboat is operating at night?
An all-round white light (if less than 39.4 feet long) 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 must you do if you see another vessel’s red and white lights?
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 do two short blasts of a horn mean?
Two short blasts
tell other boaters
“I intend to pass you on my right (starboard) side.” Three short blasts tell other boaters “I am backing up (operating astern propulsion).”
What side do you pass an oncoming boat?
You must take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the other boat by altering your speed and course. You should pass at a safe distance to the port (left) or
starboard (right) side
of the other boat. If a safe route exists, you should always attempt to pass the boat on the starboard side.
Why do boats pass on the right?
Most sailors were right handed
, so the steering oar was placed over or through the right side of the stern . Sailors began calling the right side the steering side, which soon became “starboard” by combining two Old English words: stéor (meaning “steer”) and bord (meaning “the side of a boat”).
What action should you take another powerboat approaches you from the port side?
Operating Rules – Keeping it Simple
Port: If a power-driven boat approaches your boat from the port sector,
maintain your course and speed with caution
. You are the stand-on craft. Starboard: If any vessel approaches your boat from the starboard sector, you must keep out of its way. You are the give-way craft.
