Someone doesn't know their port from starboard.

FM

Also side nav lights should never be seen from the opposite side of the vessel.

 

—INLAND— Lights and Shapes RULE 21 Definitions (a) “Masthead light” means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the masthead light shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel. (b) “Sidelights” mean a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. On a vessel of less than 20 meters in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the sidelights when combined in one lantern shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

 

International REGS are very similar.

A-Jay

@Fishingmickey got it right out of the gate! 
 

@A-Jay, I had a feeling you were going to pop in. Love the educational post. At minimum it’s a great reminder which is always welcomed. 
 

Merry Christmas boys

never heard or seen the word abaft. thanks ajay, i can honestly say i learned something today...

What A-Jay said.  Shouldn't ever see both red and green at the same time.  Was walking by a launch ramp dock a couple of weeks ago and saw a bass boat with the lights on the wrong side and I mentioned it to the guy.  

 

FIFY

12 hours ago, Alex from GA said:

What A-Jay said.  Shouldn't ever see both red and green at the same time.  

Unless the vessel is bearing down on you.

 

Properly displayed Navigation lights at not for the operator of the boat.

THEY ARE FOR EVERYONE ELSE ON THE WATER. 

Being able to 'read' what another vessel is doing from a distance at night is a skill,

and one that takes some time to learn. 

Especially on the open ocean and when very large commercial vessel traffic is involved.

For the purposes of most of us here, the info below is a great place to start.

 

Knowing how your boat should look is one thing. But understanding what you’re seeing from other vessels is equally important. Here’s how to interpret other boats' lights:

Lights You See	What It Means	What to Do
Red and Green (head-on)	Boat is approaching head-on	Both boats turn starboard (right)
Green only	You're looking at the starboard side	You have the right of way
Red only	You're looking at the port side	You must give way
White only	Boat is moving away from you	Maintain course unless overtaking
White and green	Boat is crossing from your left to right	You have the right of way
White and red	Boat is crossing from your right to left	Give way

 

 

Finally, understand that any time of day or night,

a constant bearing combined with a reducing range is a collision waiting to happen.

 

Stay Safe

A-Jay

taking the boaters course paid off..I knew the answer

 

I wouldn’t ever ride with my net like that on plane. 😂😂

9 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Unless the vessel is bearing down on you.

 

Properly displayed Navigation lights at not for the operator of the boat.

THEY ARE FOR EVERYONE ELSE ON THE WATER. 

Being able to 'read' what another vessel is doing from a distance at night is a skill,

and one that takes some time to learn. 

Especially on the open ocean and when very large commercial vessel traffic is involved.

For the purposes of most of us here, the info below is a great place to start.

 

Knowing how your boat should look is one thing. But understanding what you’re seeing from other vessels is equally important. Here’s how to interpret other boats' lights:

Lights You See	What It Means	What to Do
Red and Green (head-on)	Boat is approaching head-on	Both boats turn starboard (right)
Green only	You're looking at the starboard side	You have the right of way
Red only	You're looking at the port side	You must give way
White only	Boat is moving away from you	Maintain course unless overtaking
White and green	Boat is crossing from your left to right	You have the right of way
White and red	Boat is crossing from your right to left	Give way

 

 

Finally, understand that any time of day or night,

a constant bearing combined with a reducing range is a collision waiting to happen.

 

Stay Safe

A-Jay

Remember approaching from your port does not necessarily mean you are the stand on vessel. A boat restricted in its ability to maneuver due to draft, a sailboat under sail, dredges,  and other working boats can be  the stand on vessels regardless of position.  A boat overtaking another boat is always the give way vessel regardless of type of boat.   If you are overtaking another boat, even a sailboat under sail must avoid the boat being overtaken.   If in doubt communicating with a radio, can avoid many problems.  Also if making a maneuver to avoid another boat, make sure you make a large course correction.  If you make a small course direction change the other vessel may not be able to determine what you are doing.  By making a significant change in direction, there will be less confusion. 

 

There is also the unwritten rule, the biggest boat has right of way.  A container ship is not going to change course for a fishing boat regardless of the rules of the road.  Maintaining your course, and waiting for them to change course will not end up well for a small boat.  Cruise ships are almost impossible to spot their Nav. lights because they are lit up like a Christmas tree at night.

 

I have found many boaters, do not know or follow the rules of the road.  I avoid accidents by being vigilant, using a VHF radio, and making large course corrections well in advance of crossing paths.  I wont pass another boat, unless I am sure they see me, and understand what I'm doing.

38 minutes ago, king fisher said:

There is also the unwritten rule, the biggest boat has right of way.  A container ship is not going to change course for a fishing boat regardless of the rules of the road.  Maintaining your course, and waiting for them to change course will not end up well for a small boat.  Cruise ships are almost impossible to spot their Nav. lights because they are lit up like a Christmas tree at night.

 

I have found many boaters, do not know or follow the rules of the road.  I avoid accidents by being vigilant, using a VHF radio, and making large course corrections well in advance of crossing paths.  I wont pass another boat, unless I am sure they see me, and understand what I'm doing.

When it comes to 'Nav Rules' and freshwater bass fisherman,

my aim is to always keep it as simple as possible.

Terms like "restricted in ability to maneuver" and "constrained by draft," while important,

often get glazed over here.

Everyone with your experience on the water knows the rules.

Story time, One night off Cape Hatterass, I watched a very nice sportfishing boat

go between a large ocean-going tug and the string of barges she was towing a couple hundred yards astern. Apparently his radio was off, or he wasn't even on the bridge.  Wasn't pretty.  

btw - we call the bold type

"The Rule of Gross Tonnage"

"

A-Jay

 

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

When it comes to 'Nav Rules' and freshwater bass fisherman,

my aim is to always keep it as simple as possible.

Terms like "restricted in ability to maneuver" and "constrained by draft," while important,

often get glazed over here.

Everyone with your experience on the water knows the rules.

Story time, One night off Cape Hatterass, I watched a very nice sportfishing boat

go between a large ocean-going tug and the string of barges she was towing a couple hundred yards astern. Apparently his radio was off, or he wasn't even on the bridge.  Wasn't pretty.  

btw - we call the bold type

"The Rule of Gross Tonnage"

"

A-Jay

 

I see it all here in Mexico.  I have been boarded by the authorities and have found a carton of cigarettes, can be very helpful in coming to an understanding.  When you were in the Coast Guard, I doubt you ever had someone offer you a carton of cigarettes, in order to get away with fishing in a forbidden zone.  It works wonders here.  Even experienced captains sometimes forget the rules.  I have a quick reference picture card with all the rules on it in the pilot house.  I once won a bet with another captain who was captain of a large sailboat.  She was telling me that sailboats always have the right of way over a power boat(right of way not even a legal term) if they are under sail. I  bet her I could show  her a rule where that wasn't true.  I won when I pointed out the overtaking rule.  She was mad, but had to admit I was right.  I almost missed that exact question on my rules of the road test, but realized it was a trick question and got it right.

 

I always assume nobody knows any rules, and try my hardest just to stay out of the way.

 

Thanks for your service.  The Coast Guard does far more than most people realize.  I took them for granted until I moved to Mexico.  There was a center console boat here last year that sunk, and the Navy didn't even have a helicopter to go look for them.  It was three days before friends in a private plane they found them floating in life jackets.  Two were dead.  The  US Coast guard would have had them home for dinner.

20 minutes ago, king fisher said:

I see it all here in Mexico.  I have been boarded by the authorities and have found a carton of cigarettes, can be very helpful in coming to an understanding.  When you were in the Coast Guard, I doubt you ever had someone offer you a carton of cigarettes, in order to get away with fishing in a forbidden zone.  It works wonders here.  Even experienced captains sometimes forget the rules.  I have a quick reference picture card with all the rules on it in the pilot house.  I once won a bet with another captain who was captain of a large sailboat.  She was telling me that sailboats always have the right of way over a power boat(right of way not even a legal term) if they are under sail. I  bet her I could show  her a rule where that wasn't true.  I won when I pointed out the overtaking rule.  She was mad, but had to admit I was right.  I almost missed that exact question on my rules of the road test, but realized it was a trick question and got it right.

 

I always assume nobody knows any rules, and try my hardest just to stay out of the way.

 

Thanks for your service.  The Coast Guard does far more than most people realize.  I took them for granted until I moved to Mexico.  There was a center console boat here last year that sunk, and the Navy didn't even have a helicopter to go look for them.  It was three days before friends in a private plane they found them floating in life jackets.  Two were dead.  The  US Coast guard would have had them home for dinner.

Thank you, I appreciate it and you know I agree but it is what it is.

Things were different while I was active duty. (79-07)  No computers at first.

Definitely no Video.  I started out navigating with Loran A (look that up)

There were 'offers' made that included all types of shellfish, and seafood, Liquor and get out of jail free cards.  You name it it was offered, never taken, but offered.  The parting prize for them was a fine and sometimes handcuffs. 

"I always assume nobody knows any rules, and try my hardest just to stay out of the way."

These are the words I live by on and off the water.

Stay Safe my friend.

A-Jay

 

Always pack your protractor for fishing trips to achieve 112.5 degrees 😂 

As an aviation guy, I knew the nav lights were wrong. But I was distracted looking for the non-existent anti-collision lights and no strobes.