It's the Law: Required Equipment for
Your Vessel
Navigation Lights
The required navigation lights must be displayed between
sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.
Power-Driven Vessels When Underway
If less than 65.6
ft. (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 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.
1. Power-Driven
Vessels Less Than 65.6 Ft. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 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 ft. (20 meters) long, these vessels must exhibit the
lights as shown in illustration 2. The required lights are:
- Red and green sidelights visible from 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.
- If less than 23.0 feet long, these vessels should:
- If practical, exhibit the same lights as required for
unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet in length.
- If not practical, have on hand at least one lantern or
flashlight shining a white light as in illustration 3.
2. Unpowered
Vessels Less Than 65.6 Ft. |
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. |
|
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 in all
directions whenever they are moored or anchored outside a
designated mooring area between sunset and sunrise.
|