What color is the stern light on a boat?

The stern light on a boat is white because it serves a specific function in maritime navigation. According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), the stern light is required to be white and is positioned at the back of the vessel. This light helps indicate the position and orientation of the boat to others on the water, especially during nighttime or low visibility conditions. Having a white stern light ensures that other vessels can see the boat's direction and that the boat is not moving sideways, which is essential for avoiding collisions at sea. The other colors listed do not correspond to the stern light—red and green are used for the port and starboard side lights, respectively, while blue does not have a mandated meaning in the standard navigation light configuration.