What might you be approaching if you see a green light while operating your boat at night?

When operating a boat at night, the navigation lights play a crucial role in ensuring safety and informing you of the presence and type of other vessels. A green light on a vessel indicates that it is the starboard (right) side of a powerboat or a sailing vessel. In maritime navigation, vessels are required to display specific colored lights to aid in identifying their positions and movements.

If you see a green light, it typically means you are approaching a vessel that is either under power or sailing, as both types of vessels display this color on their starboard side. This information is vital for making decisions regarding navigation and potential course adjustments to avoid collisions.

While you might encounter powerboats, sailing vessels, or tugboats in various situations, the green light specifically aligns with the standard navigational lighting regulations outlined in maritime law, indicating the right side of these vessels. Buoys, on the other hand, often display different colors and configurations and serve a distinct purpose in navigation, differing from the requirements for vessels.