What safety feature should be functional on all boats?

A working navigation light system is an essential safety feature that must be functional on all boats, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring visibility and safety during nighttime or low-visibility conditions. Navigation lights allow other vessels and nearby objects to see your boat, which helps prevent collisions and accidents. These lights serve specific purposes and are mandated by maritime regulations to indicate a vessel's position, direction, and status, making them vital for safe operation on the water.

In contrast, working air conditioning units, functional stereo systems, and shock-absorbing seats, while contributing to comfort and convenience, do not directly impact the safety of a vessel. Air conditioning is more about comfort in certain weather conditions, stereo systems enhance entertainment during outings, and shock-absorbing seats can improve ride comfort but do not ensure safety in navigation. Therefore, the emphasis on navigation lights underscores their fundamental importance in marine safety regulations and practices.