Required Lights: Power-Driven Watercraft Less Than 65 Feet When Underway

If less than 40 feet long, these watercraft must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 1. Remember, power-driven watercraft include sailboats operating under engine power. The required lights are:

• Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile away on a dark, clear night.
• An all-round white light or a masthead light. 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 placed as nearly as practical at the watercraft’s stern.

If between 40 feet and 64 feet long, these watercraft must exhibit red and green sidelights and a masthead light. Remember, power-driven watercraft include sailboats operating under engine power. The required lights are:

• Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away on a dark, clear night.
• A masthead light visible from a distance of at least five miles away on a dark, clear night.