What does a red non-blinking light indicate when seen from your left bow at night?

A red non-blinking light seen from your left bow at night indicates that you are observing the port light of a sailing vessel. According to maritime navigation rules, vessels display specific lighting configurations to communicate their type and activity to others on the water.

The port light is red and is designed to help determine the direction a vessel is facing. In a typical scenario at night, if you see a steady red light on the left side (port side) of a vessel, it signifies that the vessel is facing towards its starboard side, indicating its status as either a sailing vessel or another type of craft. In contrast, other colors such as green indicate the starboard side, while different light configurations can identify other activities or types of vessels. Thus, seeing this specific light reinforces that you are likely encountering a sailing vessel and aids in safe navigation around it.