It's the Law: Required Equipment

Power-Driven Vessels When Underway

If less than 65.6 feet 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 long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night.
• An all-round white light 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.

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

Unpowered Vessels When Underway

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

If less than 65.6 feet long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in illustration 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.
• 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.

Unpowered Vessels Less Than 23.0 Feet

If less than 23.0 feet long, these vessels should:

• Exhibit the same lights as required for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet in length.
• Have in possession a handheld light to be used between sunset and sunrise when operating on bodies of water other than natural lakes, Corp of Engineers impoundments, border rivers, or impoundments on inland rivers.