Ebb,

As per my earlier post, all you need is the moon, or on moonless nights, the Milky Way and the stars. There is plenty of illumination out there at night for most purposes, unless you are night blind... except for foggy nights of course. With a chart plotter to warn you about upcoming floating non-lighted ATONS, you are good to go as long as the upcoming ATON is charted and on station, however, to play it absolutely safe. see:

http://www.flir.com/cvs/americas/en/maritime/

I have seen a FLIR thermal imaging system in use. This is really the best (but not the least expensive) thing since peanut butter. I think peanut butter still costs a couple of bucks a jar, Then again, all of the peanuts in the world don't help you see at night.