What is the function of navigation lighting?

Navigation lighting serves an essential purpose in ensuring the safety of waterway traffic by providing markers that guide vessels during both day and night. These lights are strategically placed to indicate safe passage and hazards, thus preventing accidents on navigable waters. They help to delineate the channels and approach areas near bridges and other structures over waterways, ensuring that boaters can navigate safely around obstructions and avoid collisions.

By being visible from a distance, navigation lights play a crucial role in the effective management of waterway traffic, particularly in areas where visibility may be compromised due to poor weather or low light conditions. This makes them vital for the safe operation of maritime traffic, distinguishing them from lights that would primarily serve to enhance visibility for drivers or indicate construction zones.