There are your lights, which should be in good working order. But what about those other navigation lights out there?
“Back in the day, ships were small enough for the bow lookout to turn, face aft and yell back to the mate on the bridge. A sailor would affirm the correct functioning of the navigation lights each day at sunset by shouting, “The lights are shining brightly!” I loved this old-timey routine. You can call me a nostalgic old toot, but I fondly recite the words under my breath before assuming a night watch to this day, no matter what boat I’m on.”
Click to read “What To Know About Navigation Lights” from Soundings, written by Pat Mundus.