If you see a red and a white light ahead when boating at night, what should you do?

When you see a red and white light ahead while boating at night, this indicates that you are approaching a vessel that is either constrained by its draft, such as a larger ship, or potentially a vessel that is not under command. Maintaining course and speed is recommended in this situation because you need to be aware of the specific navigation context suggested by those lights.

The red light indicates the port side of the vessel, while the white light is indicative of the stern or a special light of that particular vessel. By maintaining your course and speed, you ensure predictability in your movements, which is crucial for avoiding collisions, especially when navigating near larger vessels that may have limited maneuverability.

Changing course or stopping could lead to confusion for other vessels, especially when they are also maneuvering. Therefore, understanding the implications of the lights and responding appropriately by maintaining your current course and speed contributes to safe navigation practices.