What should you look out for when navigating at night?

When navigating at night, one of the primary concerns is the visibility of other boats' lights. This is critical for maintaining safety on the water, as you need to be aware of the positions and movements of other vessels to avoid collisions. Different types of lights indicate various actions and directions of boats, including which way they are facing and whether they are anchored or in motion. Understanding and interpreting these lights enhances your situational awareness and helps you respond appropriately.

While being mindful of wildlife on the shore, weather patterns, and shallow water markers is certainly important in overall boating safety, recognizing the lights of other boats is particularly crucial during nighttime navigation because visibility is significantly reduced. You're at higher risk of accidents if you fail to effectively observe and understand the signals other boats are displaying, making it the most critical factor when boating after dark.