What is the minimum range of a sidelight on a vessel that is less than 12 metres?

For vessels that are less than 12 metres in length, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) stipulate specific requirements for navigation lights. The correct minimum range for a sidelight on these smaller vessels is 1 mile. This standard ensures that even smaller vessels can be easily seen by other vessels, thus enhancing safety on the water.

The requirement for the range of the sidelight is set to provide adequate visibility and identification of the vessel's direction of travel at night or in low visibility conditions. This minimum range is essential, especially in busy waterways, to prevent collisions and ensure that all vessels, regardless of size, adhere to the same basic visual communication standards.

While the other options suggest longer ranges, these apply to larger vessels or different types of lights, which have increased visibility capabilities. Therefore, for vessels under 12 metres, a sidelight of at least 1 mile is sufficient for safe navigation.