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

When you see a red and a white light ahead while boating at night, it indicates that you are approaching a navigation hazard or another vessel that is constrained in its ability to maneuver, such as a commercial ship or a vessel restricted in its ability to navigate. This combination of lights signals that caution is required.

Stopping immediately is the safest action to take. It helps to avoid a potential collision and gives you time to assess the situation. When you stop, you can better observe the lights and the surroundings to determine whether you need to change your course or take another action. This approach emphasizes operating your vessel safely in the presence of potential hazards.

Maintaining course and speed, changing course, or speeding up may not provide the necessary caution in this circumstance, as they could lead to dangerous situations or collisions with other vessels or obstacles. Therefore, stopping is the most prudent and safe action to take in this scenario.