The colored lights are visible from forward of the boat as well as the sides. The three running lights may be mounted in a number of ways, separately or combined, high or low, but must always be masked so that you see the appropriate color from the each direction. There are several useful mnemonics related to the color of the running lights. First, remember that port wine is red , so the red running light is on the left side of the boat. Second, you see stars in good weather, which is when you like to go out on the water, so green for go equals star board .
Red means stop, green means go .
In addition to the three-colored running lights used by all boats, a powerboat must show a white masthead light visible from the front. This light must be mounted higher than the running lights. Depending your angle relative to the powerboat, the masthead light might or might not appear to be in line with the visible running light, but it will always be higher. This is because you aren't going to collide with a faster boat that's ahead of you, and if you're the faster one, you have to give way regardless of propulsion method. To summarize, if you see , you're looking at the port side of a sailboat.