Navigation Lights – Complete Guide to Vessel Navigation Lights ⚓ Understanding navigation lights is essential for safe navigation at sea. These lights communicate a vessel's position, direction of travel, and operational status to other mariners, helping prevent collisions—especially at night or in restricted visibility. Standard Navigation Lights (Day & Night) 🔴 Port Sidelight (Red) Located on the port (left) side of the vessel. Visible over an arc of 112.5°. Indicates the vessel's port side to approaching traffic. 🟢 Starboard Sidelight (Green) Located on the starboard (right) side of the vessel. Visible over an arc of 112.5°. Indicates the vessel's starboard side. ⚪ Masthead Light (White) Positioned above the fore-and-aft centerline of the vessel. Visible over an arc of 225°. Displayed by power-driven vessels to indicate their heading. ⚪ Stern Light (White) Located at the stern (rear) of the vessel. Visible over an arc of 135°. Indicates the vessel's direction of travel when viewed from astern. Special Navigation Lights 🟠 Restricted in Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM) Displays Red–White–Red all-round lights vertically. Indicates the vessel has limited ability to manoeuvre. Other vessels should keep clear. 🔴 Fishing Vessel Displays Red over White all-round lights vertically. Indicates the vessel is engaged in fishing (other than trawling). 🟢 Sailing Vessel May display Red over Green all-round lights vertically, in addition to sidelights and a stern light. Indicates the vessel is under sail alone. ⚪ Power-Driven Vessel (PDV) Displays a masthead light, sidelights (red and green), and a stern light. Larger vessels may carry two or more masthead lights. ⚪ Constrained by Draught (CBD) Displays Three Red all-round lights vertically (or three cylinders by day). Indicates the vessel is severely restricted by its draught and requires special consideration from other traffic. Why It Matters Correct interpretation of navigation lights allows mariners to: Identify another vessel's type and status. Determine its heading and relative movement. Apply the COLREGs correctly. Avoid the risk of collision in all visibility conditions. Note: Some information in the original image was inaccurate (e.g., RAM is Red–White–Red, Fishing is Red over White, Sailing is Red over Green, and Constrained by Draught is Three Red, not white or yellow lights). The version above follows the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). #skipperlicense #patentadetare #boat #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp - @tsts.group