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
During periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain

The different types of navigation lights are described in “Night Navigation” in Chapter 3. No other lights that may be mistaken for required navigation lights may be exhibited. Note: blue flashing lights are restricted to use by law enforcement vessels only.

Figure 1: Navigation lights on power-driven vessels less than 20 meters

The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel. The common lighting configurations for recreational vessels are shown below. For other configurations and requirements for larger vessels see the U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules.

Power-Driven Vessels Less Than 20 Meters Long When Underway

If less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in illustration 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, or if less than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) long at least one mile, 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 on a dark clear night. The all-round white light (or the masthead light) must be at least one meter (3.3 ft.) higher than the sidelights.

Unpowered Vessels When Underway

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

Unpowered Vessels Less Than 20 Meters

If less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in illustration 2:

Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles, or if less than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) long at least one mile, on a dark clear night.
A sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles.

Unpowered Vessels Less Than 7 Meters

Figure 3: Navigation lights on unpowered vessels less than 7 meters

If less than 7 meters (23.0 ft.) long, these vessels should:

If practical, exhibit the same lights as required for unpowered vessels less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length.
If not practical, have on hand at least one lantern or flashlight shining a white light as shown in illustration 3.