Which lights indicate a head-on situation at night?

Which lights indicate a head-on situation at night?

• A. Only a stern light
• B. No lights visible
• C. Only sidelights visible
• D. Both sidelights and masthead lights visible

Answer: (D)

When evaluating night signals, the lights on an approaching vessel reveal its direction. A head-on situation is indicated when you see the other vessel’s red and green sidelights together with a white masthead light. The sidelights show the vessel’s sides and are visible to you from the front as it comes toward you, while the masthead light confirms the vessel is underway and oriented toward you. If you only saw a stern light, the vessel would be moving away, not toward you; if there were no lights, or only sidelights, you wouldn’t have the clear front-facing combination that signals a head-on approach.

When evaluating night signals, the lights on an approaching vessel reveal its direction. A head-on situation is indicated when you see the other vessel’s red and green sidelights together with a white masthead light. The sidelights show the vessel’s sides and are visible to you from the front as it comes toward you, while the masthead light confirms the vessel is underway and oriented toward you. If you only saw a stern light, the vessel would be moving away, not toward you; if there were no lights, or only sidelights, you wouldn’t have the clear front-facing combination that signals a head-on approach.