When operating a vessel at night, which light is displayed on the starboard side?

When operating a vessel at night, the light displayed on the starboard side is a green light. This is part of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which establish standardized navigation lights for vessels. The green light is specifically used to indicate the starboard side, which is the right side of the vessel when facing forward.

This color-coding is essential for safe navigation in the dark, as it helps other vessels discern the direction in which a boat is heading. If a vessel is showing a green light, it indicates to an observer that the vessel is facing towards them, with the starboard side to their left. This system of colored lights enhances visibility and helps prevent collisions by allowing operators to determine each other's directions. Each vessel also displays its port side with a red light, further emphasizing the importance of color differentiation in navigation at night.