Navigation lights on a boat serve the primary function of indicating the boat's position and direction during nighttime and in low visibility conditions. These lights play a critical role in maritime safety by allowing other vessels to see and identify the presence and movement of the boat.
For instance, different colored lights are used to show whether a boat is heading towards or away from other vessels. A green light typically indicates the starboard (right) side, a red light indicates the port (left) side, and a white light at the stern shows the back of the vessel. This system of lights helps prevent collisions at night, as other boat operators can assess the boat's heading and navigate accordingly.
Other options presented do not fulfill the essential safety purpose that navigation lights serve. Attracting fish, showing speed, or providing passenger lighting are not the primary objectives of navigation lights and do not aid in avoiding accidents while boating in the dark.