Ride the Waves with Confidence: Rhode Island Boater Test 2026 – Set Sail for Success!

For safe night navigation, a boat must have a specified set of navigational lights to ensure visibility and communicate its position to other vessels. The requirement for red and green sidelights, along with a white stern light, aligns with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).

The red and green sidelights indicate the direction the boat is facing, with red positioned on the port (left) side and green on the starboard (right) side. This setup allows other boaters to determine the heading of the vessel, which is vital for avoiding collisions. The white stern light illuminates the back of the vessel, providing further indication of the boat's orientation.

This configuration is essential for ensuring that all vessels can navigate safely at night, reducing the risks associated with maritime travel after dark. Other lighting options, such as colorful light displays or flashing lights, do not meet safety standards for nighttime navigation and may create confusion rather than clarity regarding a vessel's location or direction.