Andrew Pace
Boats have different coloured lights to indicate their direction and position to other watercraft. The red light is on the left side of the boat, the green light is on the right, and the white light shines 360 degrees from the top of the mast. Yellow lights indicate that the boat is towing another vessel, and blue lights are used by law enforcement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Red lights | Left side of boat, portside |
| Green lights | Right side of boat, starboard |
| White lights | Stern light, boat anchor light |
| Blue lights | Government vessel, coast guard or law enforcement |
| Yellow lights | Boat is towing another boat |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Red lights are on the port side of the boat
Red lights are on the port side of a boat. This is because the red indicates the left side of the boat, with green on the right. All boats are legally required to have red, green, and white boat safety lights. The red and green lights shine from dead ahead to 112.5º aft on either side of the vessel. On some boats, the sidelights can be combined into one bi-colour light. The white light is a 360° light, which is positioned at the top of the mast.
The lighting requirements for boats when towing state that both sidelights, a stern light, and masthead lights should be displayed. This includes a yellow light, which indicates to other watercraft that the boat is towing someone. This light must be positioned at the back of the boat, as close to the stern as possible. The goal is to avoid having anyone run into the boat that is being towed, as there may be no lights showing where that boat is located.
The light on the starboard side of the boat is green because it is 'safe', as the steersman will be able to see other boats. If you can only see a single white light on a boat at night, you are likely seeing the stern light or the boat anchor light.
The visibility range of the lights depends on the size of the boat. For boats less than 39.4 feet, the visible range should be 1 mile; for those over 39.4 feet, it is 2 miles.
Chicago Boat Tours: Winter Operations and Availability
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Green lights are on the starboard side
The lights on a boat are important for navigation and to indicate to other watercraft that there is another boat nearby. The lights also show which direction a boat is facing. The minimum lights that a boat must have are red, green, and white.
If a boat has a blue light, it is likely to be a government vessel, such as the coast guard or law enforcement. Law enforcement boats also use flashing blue lights that can flash 120 times per minute or more.
Boats that are towing another boat must have a yellow light at the back of the boat, as close to the stern as possible. This is to avoid anyone running into the boat that is being towed.
The Boys in the Boat: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
White lights are stern lights or boat anchor lights
The other colours used on boats are red, green and blue. Red lights are on the port side of the boat, and green lights are on the starboard side. Blue lights indicate a government vessel, such as the coast guard or law enforcement.
Evan's Sexuality: Exploring Fresh Off the Boat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Blue lights indicate a government vessel
Blue lights on a boat generally indicate a government vessel. This could be the coast guard or law enforcement. These blue lights can flash 120 times per minute or more and can be placed anywhere that is convenient for the operator, as long as they don't interfere with the function of the other lights.
All boats are legally required to have red, green, and white safety lights. The red light indicates the left side of the boat, while the green light indicates the right side. The white light is a 360° light. The red light is also known as the portside light, while the green light is the starboard light. The starboard light is green because it is 'safe', as the steersman will be able to see other boats.
On some boats, the sidelights can be combined into one bi-colour light. Yellow lights are also used to indicate that a boat is towing another vessel. These lights must be positioned at the back of the boat, as close to the stern as possible.
Exploring John Smith's Historic Voyage: What Boat Did He Sail?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Yellow lights indicate a boat is towing another boat
The colour of lights on a boat is important as it indicates to other watercraft the direction a boat is facing. Red lights are on the left side of the boat, green is on the right, and white is at the stern or the boat anchor. Blue lights indicate a government vessel, such as the coast guard or law enforcement.
Yellow lights are also important. They indicate that a boat is towing another boat. The light must be positioned at the back of the boat, as close to the stern as possible. This is to avoid other boats running into the boat that is being towed, as there may be no lights showing where that boat is located. When towing, both sidelights, a stern light, and masthead lights should also be displayed.
Boat Shoes and Khakis: A Perfect Pair?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Red indicates the left side of the boat, while green indicates the right side.
Blue lights are used by law enforcement on the water, such as the coast guard.
Yellow lights indicate that a boat is towing another vessel.
