What do you do when you see a red and white light on a boat?

When you are in a power-driven vessel and you see a red, a green, and a white light, you are approaching another power-driven vessel head-on and both vessels must give way.

What should you do when you see red and white lights on another boat at night?

If you’re in a powerboat at night, and see another boat’s red light and white light, but not the green light, you are generally in a “give-way” position. This means that you must slow, turn, stop, or make whatever other maneuver is necessary to stay out of that boat’s way.

What do you do when you see red and white lights?

When you are in a power-driven pleasure craft and you see a red and a white light, you must give way to the other vessel! Slow down and allow the vessel to pass, or you may turn to the right and pass behind the other vessel.

What does it mean when you see a red and green light on another boat?

Sidelights
Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel’s port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side.

When must powerboats use a muffler?

When do powerboats need a muffler? Every boat equipped with a motor other than a stock (unmodified) outboard engine must have a muffler and use it while operating within five nautical miles (9.26 km) of shore.

What does a single white light on a boat tell you at night?

Powerboat A: When only a white light is visible, you may be overtaking another vessel.

What color lights do you need on a boat at night?

What lights are required on a boat at night? The required lights are: Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night.

What is the white light on a boat?

A sternlight is a white light that is located at the stern of the boat and is only visible from behind the vessel. A masthead light is required on all power-driven vehicles. This white light shines forward and to both sides and must be displayed by all vessels 39.4 feet in length or longer when under engine power.

Do you pass a boat on the right or left?

If you meet another boat head-on: Under the boating rules of the road, vessels approaching each other head-on are always supposed to pass each other port to port — or left to left, just like on the road.

What should you do before using distress flares?

Distress Flares
  1. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using flares. …
  2. Make sure that you fire aerial flares into the wind at an angle. …
  3. Approved flares have a Transport Canada approval stamp or label. …
  4. Distress flares should be stored vertically in a readily accessible, cool, dry, and prominently marked location.

Why should a boats gas tank never be completely filled?

It’s important to never fill the tank of your boat beyond 90% full. This leaves room for gas to expand and avoids the potential for overflow. Ensure that all air vents and valves to the gas tank are open.

What side of the buoys do you stay on?

Federal Lateral System

The expression “red right returning” has long been used by seafarers as a reminder that the red buoys are kept to the starboard (right) side when proceeding from the open sea into port (upstream). Likewise, green buoys are kept to the port (left) side (see chart below).

Who has right of way at sea?

A power driven vessel must give way to a sailing vessel unless the sailing vessel is in the process of overtaking it. When two power driven vessels meet head on, each must alter course to starboard (to the right) and pass at a safe distance.

What does it mean if your boat is the stand on craft?

Stand-On Vessel – If you are the Stand-On vessel, it is your responsibility to acknowledge the intended actions of the give-way vessel. You must also maintain your current course and speed until the give-way vessel passes, or you enter a dangerous situation.

What does a red and white buoy mean?

Red and White vertically striped buoy markers, some topped with a white light or red top mark, indicate mid-channels or fairways. These markers may be passed on either side as long as other, safe navigation rules are followed.

What do white buoys mean?

Swimming Buoys mark th perimeter of a swimming area. They are white. If they carry a light, the light is a yellow flashing (Fl) four seconds, light.

What does a red buoy indicate?

All-green (also known as Cans) and all-red (also known as Nuns) companion buoys indicate the boating channel is between them. The red buoy is on the right side of the channel when facing upstream.

What should you do when anchoring?

Head into the wind or current. Reduce speed and reverse the engine. When the boat starts to make a slight sternway through the water, lower – do not throw – the anchor. After you’ve let about a third of your line out, tug the anchor line to see how firmly it’s set, and then continue to release the rode.

What do the different color buoys mean?

Inland waters obstruction markers have black and white stripes, showing ships where hazards are underwater. A green can buoy means pass to the right, and a red nun buoy means pass to the left when moving upstream. A diamond shape with a “T” inside it on a buoy means “keep out.”

How are buoys anchored?

In order for the buoys (and your boat) to stay in one place, a complicated and robust anchor system lies below. There are three types of anchors commonly used in the Florida Keys to secure the buoys to the seafloor: pin anchors, u-bolt anchors, and Manta Ray® anchors.