How many degrees of visibility should navigation lights have?

Navigation lights on vessels are crucial for ensuring visibility and safety on the water, particularly at night or during poor weather conditions. The correct answer, indicating that navigation lights should have 360 degrees of visibility, reflects the necessity for these lights to be visible from all angles around the vessel. This comprehensive visibility enables other vessels to clearly see the position and orientation of the boat, which is essential for avoiding collisions.

For instance, a 360-degree view allows the lights to be seen from any direction, making it clear to nearby vessels where the boat is located regardless of their approach vector. This is particularly important for the bow light (front light) of a vessel, which must be seen from the front as well as from the sides and rear to provide a complete picture of the boat's position.

In contrast, navigation lights that have limited visibility, such as 90 degrees or 180 degrees, would restrict the awareness of surrounding vessels regarding the boat's location and direction, significantly increasing the risk of accidents on the water. Similarly, navigation lights with a 270-degree visibility would leave a portion of the surrounding area without any indication of the vessel's presence. Thus, 360 degrees of visibility is vital for ensuring safety and effective navigation in maritime environments.