A red sidelight means you are looking at a boat's _________________ side.

A red sidelight indicates that you are looking at a boat's port side. In maritime navigation, boats display different colored lights to signal their position and orientation at night or in poor visibility conditions. The international rules for preventing collisions at sea, also known as COLREGs, dictate that the port side of a vessel must show a red light when viewed from another boat.

This designates the side of the vessel that is considered the left side when facing forward. Conversely, the starboard side of a vessel displays a green light. Knowing the significance of these lights is crucial for safe navigation and understanding the direction a vessel is heading. Understanding these lights also helps crew members communicate effectively with other vessels and avoid potential collisions.