It's the Law: Delaware Boating Regulations

BR-11. Navigation Lights

Section 1. Applicability.

(a) Except for vessels used by enforcement officers for law enforcement purposes, this regulation applies to all vessels used on the waters of this State.

(b) Vessels over 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length and vessels listed below shall display lights and exhibit shapes in accordance with the International or Inland Navigation Rules and Annexes (Commandant Instruction M16672.2C):

1. Vessels towing, pushing, or being towed or pushed;
2. Vessels engaged in fishing;
3. Vessels not under command;
4. Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver;
5. Pilot vessels; or
6. Air-cushion vessels.

Section 2. Visibility of lights.

The lights required by this section shall have an intensity so as to be visible at the following ranges:

1. In a vessel of 12 meters (39.4 ft.) or more in length but less than 50 meters (164 ft.) in length:
   
   (a) A masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.), 3 miles;
   (b) A sidelight, 2 miles;
   (c) A sternlight, 2 miles;
   (d) A towing light, 2 miles;
   (e) A white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles; and
   (f) A special flashing light, 2 miles.
2. In a vessel of less than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) in length:
   
   (a) A masthead light, 2 miles;
   (b) A sidelight, 1 mile;
   (c) A sternlight, 2 miles;
   (d) A towing light, 2 miles;
   (e) A white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles; and
   (f) A special flashing light, 2 miles.

Section 3. Prohibition.

(a) No person may use a vessel to which this regulation applies without carrying and exhibiting the lights required in Section 4 of this regulation and of the intensity required in Section 2 of this regulation:

1. When underway or at anchor;
2. In all weathers from sunset to sunrise; and
3. During times of restricted visibility.

(b) No person may use a vessel to which this regulation applies which exhibits other lights which may be mistaken for those required in Section 4 of this regulation during such time as navigation lights are required.

(c) No person may use a vessel to which this regulation applies unless it carries and exhibits the light or day shapes required in the International or Inland Navigational Rules and Annexes (Commandant Instruction M16672.2C) for vessels used under special circumstances defined therein.

Section 4. Navigation Lights Required.

(a) Power-driven vessels underway in international and inland waters shall exhibit:

1. A masthead light forward;
2. A second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that in inland waters a vessel of less than 50 meters (164 ft.) in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;
3. Sidelights; and
4. A sternlight.

(b) Power-driven vessels underway in international waters:

1. Power-driven vessels of less than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in subsection (a) of this section exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights;
2. Power-driven vessels of less than 7 meters (23 ft.) in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights prescribed in subsection (a) of this section exhibit an all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights; and
3. The masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel if centerline fitting is not practicable, provided that the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or the all-round white light.

(c) Power-driven vessels underway in inland waters shall exhibit the same light for vessels in subsection (a) of this section except:

1. A vessel of less than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in subsection (a) of this section, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.
2. A vessel of less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length need not exhibit the masthead light forward of amidships but shall exhibit it as far forward as practicable.

(d) Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars in international and inland waters:

1. A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit: (a) Sidelights; and (b) A sternlight;
2. In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length, the lights prescribed in paragraph (d)(1) of this section may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
3. A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower being green, but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
4. A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters (23 ft.) in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this section, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
5. A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this section for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
6. A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downward. When upon inland waters, a vessel of less than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) in length is not required to exhibit this shape.

(e) Anchored vessels:

1. International and Inland. Vessels at permanent moorings are not required to display an anchor light.
2. International and Inland. A vessel of less than 50 meters (164 ft.) in length at anchor shall exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen or:
   
   
   • (a) In the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball; and
   • (b) At or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (2)(a) of this subsection, an all-round white light.

3. Inland. A vessel of less than 7 meters (23 ft.) in length, when at anchor, not in or near a narrow channel, fairway, anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.