It's the Law: Required Equipment for Your Vessel

Navigation Lights (625 ILCS 45/4-2 and 45/4-8)

The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel.

Power-Driven Vessels When Underway

If less than 65.6 ft. 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 at least two miles (or if less than 39.4 ft. long, at least one mile)
• An all-round white light or both a masthead light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible 360º, at all times, from at least two miles on a dark clear night.

Unpowered Vessels When Underway

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

If less than 65.6 ft. 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 (or if less than 39.4 ft. long, at least one mile)
• A sternlight visible from at least two miles.

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 ft. long, these vessels should:

• If practical, exhibit the same lights as required for unpowered vessels listed above
• If not practical, they must have on hand at least one lantern or flashlight shining a white light as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Unpowered Vessels Less Than 23.0 Ft 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 for one mile from all directions whenever they are anchored away from a dock or moored in an area other than a designated mooring area between sunset and sunrise.