Connecticut Safe Boating Practice Test

When you see a green and a white light at night, what is your responsibility?

1. Give way

2. Stand on, but be prepared to give way

3. Maintain course

4. Change direction instantly

The correct answer is: Stand on, but be prepared to give way

When you see a green and a white light at night, your responsibility is to stand on, but be prepared to give way. This situation typically indicates that you are approaching a vessel that is either at anchor or at a standstill, displaying these lights to signal its position. In maritime navigation, the green light indicates the right side (starboard) of a vessel, while the white light is often associated with the stern. As the operator, standing on means you maintain your course and speed. However, being prepared to give way is essential since other vessels may be navigating in the vicinity, and you must always remain ready to take action if necessary to avoid a collision. This understanding of right-of-way scenarios is critical for safe boating practices, helping to prevent accidents while ensuring smooth navigation at night. In contrast, simply giving way, maintaining course without any consideration of the surroundings, or changing direction instantly would not adequately address the need to keep a safe navigational distance and ensure all conditions are assessed while underway.