Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Navigation Lights
Vessel operators must make sure that their vessels are equipped with the proper
navigation lights and use the lights during these conditions:
- When away from the dock between sunset and sunrise
- Whenever the weather reduces visibility
The different types of navigation lights are described in "Navigation Lights". No other lights that may be mistaken for required navigation lights
may be exhibited. Note: Blue or red flashing lights are restricted to use by law
enforcement vessels only.
The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of
your vessel. The common lighting configurations for recreational vessels are
discussed below. For other configurations and requirements for larger vessels,
see the U.S.
Coast Guard's Navigation Rules.
Power-Driven Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet Long When Underway
If less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as
shown in illustration 1. Remember, power-driven vessels include sailboats operating
under engine 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 (12 meters) 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 (one meter) higher than the sidelights. In
Iowa, an all-round white light is required on manually powered vessels while
underway and at anchor.
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Sailboats When Underway
If less than 65.6 feet long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in
Figure 2. 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.
- A sternlight visible from at least two miles away.

Manually Powered Vessels When Underway
Manually powered vessels are boats that are paddled, poled, or rowed. If less than
23.0 feet long, these vessels should exhibit a white light visible for 360° around
the horizon and visible from a distance of at least one mile away if operating on
natural lakes, Corps of Engineers impoundments, border rivers, or impoundments
on inland rivers. If this light is partially obscured due to the nature of the vessel, an
additional white light must be on hand to be shown in sufficient time to prevent a
collision.

All Vessels When Not Underway
All vessels are required to display a white light visible 360 degrees around the
horizon whenever they are moored or anchored outside a designated mooring area
between sunset and sunrise.

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