Alabama Boating Safety Course

It's the Law: Required Equipment
Navigation Lights

The required navigation lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain. For requirements for larger vessels, see the U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules.

Power-Driven Vessels When Underway

If less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 1. Remember, power-driven vessels include sailboats operating under power. The required lights are:

  • Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night.
  • An all-round white light (if less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round white light (or the masthead light) must be at least 3.3 feet higher than the sidelights.

Figure 1: Navigation lights on power-driven vessels less than 65.6 feet

Figure 1. Power-Driven Vessels
Less Than 65.6 Ft.

The masthead light and sternlight may be combined as an all-round white light on vessels less than 39.4 feet long.

Unpowered Vessels When Underway

Figure 2: Sailboats displaying required sidelights and sternlight, and alternative combined red, green, and white light

Figure 2. Unpowered Vessels
Less Than 65.6 Feet

Unpowered vessels are sailboats or vessels that are paddled, poled, or rowed.

  • If less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 2. The required lights are:
    • Red and green sidelights visible from at least two miles away — or if less than 39.4 feet long, at least one mile away.
    • A sternlight visible from at least two miles away.

An alternative to the sidelights and sternlight is a combination red, green, and white light, which must be exhibited near the top of the mast.
  • If less than 23.0 feet (7 meters) long, these vessels should:
    • If practical, exhibit the same lights as required for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet in length.
    • If not practical, must have on hand at least one lantern or flashlight shining a white light as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Navigation lights for unpowered vessels less than 23 ft. in length

3. Unpowered Vessels Less Than 23.0 Feet

Vessel operators should never leave shore without a flashlight. Even if you plan to return before dark, unforeseen developments might delay your return past nightfall.

All Vessels When Not Underway

All vessels are required to display a white light visible in all directions whenever they are moored or anchored outside of a designated mooring area between sunset and sunrise.

Night navigation lights on a vessel anchored
Alabama Marine Police
Course Material
Boating Basics
It's the Law!
Equipment Checklist
Alabama Info
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