A visual tutorial to learn and interpret nautical navigation lights at night.

This authoritative website provides clear examples of Navigation Lights that may be seen at night. At the foot of the page see the requirements for a Ship’s Lights.

Select from one of the Groups below or an individual scene that interests you.

Green to green or red to red, perfect safety – go ahead.
If to starboard red is there, it is your duty to keep clear.
Green to green or red to red, perfect safety – go ahead.
If to port a green I see, green to port keeps clear of me.
Red over green, sailboat seen: if to starboard red is there, It is your duty to keep clear.
Red over green, sailboat seen: green to green or red to red, perfect safety – go ahead.
Red over green, sailboat seen: if to port a green I see, green to port keeps clear of me.
Red over white, fishing at night.
Green over white, trawling at night.
White over red, Pilot ahead.
Three Lights are Green, Minesweeper Seen.

Layout for a Ship’s Navigation Lights showing Bow, Stern, Port and Starboard requirements.

Ship's Navigation Lights
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