What light(s) would you expect to see when coming up on a vessel from astern at night?

Study for the Maritime Navigation Rules and Vessel Responsibilities Exam. Study with multiple choice questions including hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam with us!

Multiple Choice

What light(s) would you expect to see when coming up on a vessel from astern at night?

Explanation:
When you’re approaching a vessel from its stern at night, you’re looking at the light that is oriented toward the rear. Navigation lights are designed with specific arcs of visibility, and the light aimed aft is the sternlight. The sternlight is a white light placed at the stern that other vessels behind or nearly behind you can see to identify the vessel’s position and direction. Sidelights are red and green and face forward and to the sides, so they’re visible from the front and along the vessel’s sides, not from astern. The masthead light is a white light oriented toward the forward horizon, so it is typically seen by vessels ahead of you, not from behind. Therefore, the light you would expect to see when approaching from astern is the sternlight only.

When you’re approaching a vessel from its stern at night, you’re looking at the light that is oriented toward the rear. Navigation lights are designed with specific arcs of visibility, and the light aimed aft is the sternlight. The sternlight is a white light placed at the stern that other vessels behind or nearly behind you can see to identify the vessel’s position and direction.

Sidelights are red and green and face forward and to the sides, so they’re visible from the front and along the vessel’s sides, not from astern. The masthead light is a white light oriented toward the forward horizon, so it is typically seen by vessels ahead of you, not from behind.

Therefore, the light you would expect to see when approaching from astern is the sternlight only.

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