A powerboat is operating at night. which of these lights must be shown?

Q: What lights do I need at night on a boat?

If the vessels maximum speed is 7 knots, it must have an all round white light and, if possible, separate and/or combined sidelights. If the vessel can travel at a speed faster than 7 knots, the same rules as for powered vessels up to 12m long apply.

Recognising lights on other vessels

To stay safe on the water at night or at times of restricted visibility, you need to be able to recognise lights on other vessels. These lights help prevent collisions.

Table of Contents Show

Recognising lights on other vessels
Vessel travelling towards you
Vessel travelling away from you
Vessel crossing your path
High-speed ferry on Sydney Harbour
Commercial fishing vessel
What lights would you expect to see on the other vessel at night?
What lights do I need at night on a boat?
When operating a powerboat at night you see red and white lights?
What color light must a 14 foot boat operating under oars show after dark to prevent a collision?

A vessel's navigation lights tell you:

whether it's at anchor or underway
the direction it's travelling
the vessel type and size.

Keep a lookout for lights that may not be bright, such as those on smaller vessels. These vessels may only display a single white light or a torch light.

A single white light can also mean a vessel is at anchor, or travelling away from you. If you see a white light, be aware that something is ahead of you and prepare to take appropriate action.

If you see a lot of lights, or lights up high, it's probably a large vessel, such as a ship or commercial fishing boat. Keep well clear.

These are some examples of navigation lights you may see.

Vessel travelling towards you

Vessel travelling away from you

Vessel crossing your path

If a vessel is crossing your path, the colour of its sidelight shows you which direction it's travelling:

red sidelight – crossing your path from your starboard (right) side to your port (left) side
green sidelight – crossing your path from your port (left) side to your starboard (right) side.

Dredge

A dredge's top 3 lights show that it’s restricted in its manoeuvrability.

Its sidelights show you the safe side to pass:

green – safe side to pass.
red – obstruction this side (do not pass).

Displays 2 red lights at either end and a green light above the red light in the direction of travel. Also displays an all round orange flashing light.

Vehicular ferry at night

High-speed ferry on Sydney Harbour

Displays the normal lights for a powerboat underway, plus an all round flashing yellow light when travelling at speed.

High-speed ferry on Sydney Harbour

Commercial fishing vessel

What lights would you expect to see on the other vessel at night?

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.

What lights do I need at night on a boat?

If the vessel's maximum speed is 7 knots, it must have an all round white light and, if possible, separate and/or combined sidelights. If the vessel can travel at a speed faster than 7 knots, the same rules as for powered vessels up to 12m long apply.

When operating a powerboat at night you see red and white lights?

Powerboat A: When only white and red lights are visible, you are approaching the port side of a powerboat. Give way to your starboard side.

What color light must a 14 foot boat operating under oars show after dark to prevent a collision?

A vessel under oars, and sailboats less than 7 meters (23 feet) in length may display those lights prescribed for a sailing vessel, but if they do not, they shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern shining a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.