BOATsmart! Canada
Knowledge Base

If you meet another boat on the water and see a green, red, and white light, you are approaching another power-driven boat head-on.

When two power-driven boats are approaching each other head-on, neither operator has the right-of-way. In this scenario, both operators must reduce their speed and steer to starboard (to the right), keeping well clear the each other to avoid a collision.

If you encounter another boat and see only a green and red light with no white light, then you are approaching a sail-driven vessel. In this scenario you are the give-way vessel. You must yield right-of-way to the other boat by altering your speed and course to avoid a collision.