What is the primary purpose of navigation lights on a boat?

The primary purpose of navigation lights on a boat is to indicate the boat's position and direction to other vessels. These lights are critical for ensuring safe navigation, especially in low visibility conditions such as at night or during fog. By using a combination of colored lights, boaters can communicate important information to other vessels. For instance, the color and arrangement of lights indicate whether a boat is at anchor, underway, or approaching head-on, which helps to prevent collisions and ensures that all operators are aware of each other's presence and movements on the water.

Other functions, such as signaling fishing activities or displaying a boat's name, are not the primary focus of navigation lights. Flashing lights might indicate specific activities while fishing, but this is not their primary purpose. Similarly, displaying the boat's name is more for identification and does not contribute to navigation safety. Attracting fish is unrelated to navigation and more about fishing practices rather than ensuring safe boating. Thus, navigation lights play a crucial role in enhancing safety on the water by allowing boats to be seen and understood by others.