What navigation lights are required on a boat?
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 (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night. An all-round white light (if vessel is less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead light and a sternlight.
What determines the navigation lights you are required to display on a boat?
The navigation lights you are required to display depend on the following:
- The size of your boat.
- Whether your boat is power-driven, human-powered or sail-powered.
- Whether your boat is underway or at anchor.
What are the Navigation Rules for boating?
At an absolute minimum, you should always have a proper lookout, operate at a safe speed and yield or give-way to another vessel when in doubt and to always avoid a collision, even if that means breaking a Navigation Rule to save lives and property damage.
Do all boats require navigation lights?
Under California state law, every child under 13 years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while the boat is underway. Navigation Lights: All vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during times of restricted visibility.
Are navigation lights required?
You are required to display the appropriate lights at night or during times of reduced visibility. Navigation lights are used to prevent collisions at night or in times of reduced visibility, and are an essential tool in keeping you and your vessel safe.
Do all boats need navigation lights?
Powerboats need to have a masthead light forward, sidelights and a stern light. Vessels less than 12 meters in length can have an all around white light and sidelights. For sailboats that are less than 7 meters long, the general boat navigation lights apply.
What are navigation rules?
The Navigation Rules are much like the rules of the road on the highway. They establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another.
What does a single white light on a boat tell you?
What Does a White Light Indicate? If only a white light is visible, you may be approaching another craft from behind. You are the give-way-craft and must take early and substantial action to steer well clear by altering your course and passing at a safe distance on the starboard (right) or port (left) side.
Are navigation lights required on all boats?
For powered boats less than 39.4 feet, or 12 meters, you need to have the following set of navigation lights. One all-around white light that you can see from 360 degrees and from two miles away; And one pair of red and green sidelights that are visible at 112.5 degrees and from one mile away.
What side should boats pass each other on?
You must take early and substantial action to keep well clear of the other boat by altering your speed and course. You should pass at a safe distance to the port (left) or starboard (right) side of the other boat. If a safe route exists, you should always attempt to pass the boat on the starboard side.
What are the navigation lights on a boat?
In general, all navigation light systems include red and green sidelights, which indicate the port and starboard side of your boat, as well as one or more white lights. It’s also important that you have a flashlight on board, as you never know when a navigation light might burn out.
What is a boat running light?
running light – light carried by a boat that indicates the boat’s direction; vessels at night carry a red light on the port bow and a green light on the starboard bow.
What are sailboat running lights?
Running Lights – Navigational lights that are required by law to be turned on when the boat, yacht or cabin cruiser is in motion between sunset and sunrise. Slips – A place between two docks where a boat, yacht or cabin cruiser is lifted out of the water and moored in that location.
What are navigation lights?
A navigation light, also known as a running or position light, is a source of illumination on a vessel, aircraft or spacecraft.