Which colors are used for sidelights on a vessel's port and starboard sides?

Which colors are used for sidelights on a vessel's port and starboard sides?

• A. Red on port, Green on starboard
• B. Green on port, Red on starboard
• C. Red on starboard, Green on port
• D. Green on starboard, Red on port

Answer: (A)

Navigation sidelights use a fixed color scheme to show a vessel’s orientation at night or in reduced visibility. The left side (port) is shown with red, and the right side (starboard) with green. This standard makes it easy for other vessels to know which side of you they’d be near just by the color you see, regardless of language or location. So seeing red indicates you’re looking at the vessel’s port side, and green indicates the starboard side. This consistent signaling helps prevent collisions and clarifies crossing situations.

Navigation sidelights use a fixed color scheme to show a vessel’s orientation at night or in reduced visibility. The left side (port) is shown with red, and the right side (starboard) with green. This standard makes it easy for other vessels to know which side of you they’d be near just by the color you see, regardless of language or location. So seeing red indicates you’re looking at the vessel’s port side, and green indicates the starboard side. This consistent signaling helps prevent collisions and clarifies crossing situations.