It's the Law: Required Equipment
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 feet long, these vessels
must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 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.
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If less than 65.6 feet long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in figure 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—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.
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Unpowered Vessels When Underway
2. Unpowered Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet
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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 figure 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.
- A sternlight visible from at least two miles away.
If paddled, poled, or rowed, a vessel requires only an
all-round white light. |
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All Vessels When Not Underway
All vessels are required to use a white
light visible for 360 degrees and from a distance of two
miles whenever they are moored or anchored away from dock
between sunset and sunrise.
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