When sailing after sunset or in low visibility, navigation lights become essential. They’re used to indicate a vessel’s position, direction of travel, and type, helping to avoid collisions and keep everyone safe.

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🌖 1. Why Navigation Lights Matter

Navigation lights tell others:

• Where you are

• What direction you're moving

• Whether you're under sail or engine

• Whether you're restricted in your ability to manoeuvre (e.g. fishing, towing, not under command)

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⚓ 2. Basic Navigation Light Setup for a Standard Sailboat

1. Port Light

• 🔴 Color: Red

• 📍Location: Port (left) side

• 📐 Arc: 112.5° from dead ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam

2. Starboard Light

• 🟢 Color: Green

• 📍Location: Starboard (right) side

• 📐 Arc: Same as port – 112.5°

3. Stern Light

• ⚪ Color: White

• 📍Location: Aft (back of boat)

• 📐 Arc: 135° covering the rear sector

4. Masthead Light (motorboats or sailing under power)

• ⚪ Color: White

• 📍Location: Forward and high on the mast

• 📐 Arc: 225° (visible from dead ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on both sides)

5. Tricolour Light (optional – sailing yachts under sail only)

• 🔴🟢⚪ Combined red (port), green (starboard), and white (stern)

• 📍Location: Top of mast

• ❗ Only to be used when sailing, not when motoring

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🚔 3. Under Sail or Power? Here’s How to Know

Situation      Light Setup

Sailing only      Red + Green + Stern light (or tricolour at masthead)

Motoring (engine on)      Masthead + Red + Green + Stern

At anchor (night)      All-round white light

Rowing or drifting      Flashlight or lantern (must show light in time to avoid collision)

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🔍 4. How to Interpret What You See

Here’s a quick guide to understanding what another vessel’s lights mean:

• Red only → You’re looking at their port side

• Green only → You’re looking at their starboard side

• Red + Green + White (stern) → Vessel is heading toward you

• White only → You’re behind them (stern view)

• Two white lights vertically aligned → Power-driven vessel over 50m

• Red over red → Not under command ("Captain is dead!")

• Red over white → Fishing vessel

• White over red → Pilot vessel ("Pilot ahead!")

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📌 5. Pro Tips for Learning Nav Lights

• Practice identifying lights on real boats at night

• Use flashcards or apps to test recognition

• Get comfortable spotting angle + color combinations