GBL NSW Navigation Lights and Signals 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What colour is the port-side navigation light on a vessel?
- Green
- Red (Correct answer)
- White
- Yellow
Correct answer: Red
The port (left) side navigation light is always red, helping other mariners determine the direction a vessel is travelling.
Question 2: What colour is the starboard-side navigation light on a vessel?
- Red
- White
- Yellow
- Green (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Green
The starboard (right) side navigation light is green, the opposite of the red port light.
Question 3: When are navigation lights required to be displayed on a vessel?
- Only during fog or heavy rain
- Only when more than 2 nautical miles from shore
- Between sunset and sunrise and in restricted visibility conditions (Correct answer)
- Only when travelling faster than 10 knots
Correct answer: Between sunset and sunrise and in restricted visibility conditions
Navigation lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and whenever visibility is restricted, regardless of speed or distance from shore.
Question 4: A vessel at anchor in an area used by other vessels must display what light at night?
- Red and green sidelights
- An all-round white anchor light (Correct answer)
- A flashing yellow light
- A masthead light only
Correct answer: An all-round white anchor light
A vessel at anchor must display an all-round white light visible from 360 degrees to alert other vessels of its stationary position.
Question 5: What arc of visibility does the white masthead light on a power-driven vessel cover?
- 360 degrees
- 135 degrees
- 112.5 degrees
- 225 degrees (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 225 degrees
The masthead light covers a 225-degree arc, showing from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side.
Question 6: At night you see only a red light approaching from ahead. What does this most likely indicate?
- The vessel is anchored
- The vessel is aground and in distress
- You are seeing the vessel's port side and it may be on a crossing or head-on course (Correct answer)
- The vessel is a fishing boat with nets deployed
Correct answer: You are seeing the vessel's port side and it may be on a crossing or head-on course
Seeing only a red light means you are looking at the vessel's port (left) side, which could indicate it is crossing your path or heading towards you.
Question 7: What arc of visibility does the white stern light cover?
- 225 degrees
- 360 degrees
- 112.5 degrees
- 135 degrees (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 135 degrees
The stern light covers a 135-degree arc showing aft from 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side, complementing the masthead light.
GBL NSW Navigation Lights and Signals 1
What colour is the port-side navigation light on a vessel?