A tan handheld isn't necessarily more visible than a black one in very low light on a boat. It's a question of contrast. Red (in a non-polychormatic low light situation) is about as visible in very low ambiant light.

We have little red, yellow, blue, and black flashlights around in various incarnations -- I just haven't found that much difference when you're looking for one.

(By the way, a tan one would be harder to find in low light for me down below. :^)