Boating at Night! | Some Tips On Navigational Lighting

Sometimes by chance, sometimes by choice maybe to catch the later sunset or maybe to plan an evening cruise - either way, nighttime boating requires careful navigating, strict attention and good preparation. When the stars come out at night the beautiful waterways will slowly disappear and become dark. It can be unnerving to navigate at night without getting lost or concerned about possibly banging into unknown underwater obstacles, or even crashing into other boats. Here are some helpful hints for some common sense rules to keep nighttime boaters safe. In addition, below are some rules for the navigating light - which are helpful for safety, & to give you an all-around confidence when boating at night.

One hint is to eliminate distractions such as cockpit lights which can comromise night vision. Dim interior lights to reduce reflections. Even music, steros, or loud television volumes should be reduced or they create hazards by interfering with your hearing of other boaters horns & alerts.

Slowing down the vessel is just as important of a tip and probably one of the most important. Most state and local jurisdictions have rules for lower speeds at nighttime and mainly will require idle speeds mostly at night. This is so important to avoid mishaps due to unfamiliar landmarks, oncoming vessels or floating debris possibly large enough to damage your boat. Navigation lights of other vessels can be difficult to see with a backdrop of shore lights. In order to maintain optimum control of your vessel.. slow down in this challenging environment at night.

Being careful with using high beams is another helpful suggestion. Some might think that headlights are better; and while using powerful forward lights or swivel-mounted or hand-held spotlight can be very helpful to you. They can be a hazard to other boaters by overpowering your navigation lights and can sometimes blind the approaching captains.

Become familiar with the combination of red, green, and white lights that tell other boaters whether you are coming or going and in what general direction. Make sure your running lights are working properly. Every boater should know these combinations. When you are operating at night you will need to be able to count on your knowledge of navigation lights to guarantee your vessel safety. Often the only information available abut another vessel and its movement will come from the navigation lights, especially when operating in busy traffic or near shore where city lights may confuse your vision. You must be confident in your ability to identify and interpret navigation lights.

The masthead light is a white light placed over a vessel's forward-and-aft centerline showing an unbroken light over 225 degree arc from right ahead deadhead to 22.5 degree abaft the beam on either side of the vessel. On boats less than 39.4 feet long the masthead light may be off the centerline but should be placed "as near as practicable" to it. You might look for a masthead light at the top of the mast but you won't always find it there. For example, powerboats do not have mast, but they do have mast headlights. On these vessels, the masthead light often is located on a short staff on the cabin top. On sailboats, the masthead light usually is partway up the mast, not to be confused with the anchor light which is actually at the masthead.

Sidelights: Colored lights, green on the starboard side and red on the port side, showing an unbroken light over 112.5 degree arch from right ahead to 22.5 abaft the beam on their respective sides. (The sum of the arcs of the green and red sidelights is the same as that of the white masthead light.) If your vessel is less than 65 1/2 feet long the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the vessels fore-and-aft centerline.

Stern light: A white light placed as nearly as practical at the stern showing an unbroken light over 135 degree arc from 67.5 degree from right aft *dead Stern) on each side of the vessel.

Towing light: means a yellow light having the same characteristics as the Stern light.

All-around light: shows an unbroken light, over 360 degrees arch depending on what its function is, an all-around light, maybe white red green or yellow.

Fishing light: Flashes regularly at least 120 times a minute. This extremely rapid flashing rate is used to lessen any possible confusion with a quick flashing buoy or other aid to navigation.

Special flashing light: A yellow light flashing regularly at 50 to 70 times a minute. The light is placed as far forward on the fore-and-aft centerline of a tow and shows an unbroken light over an arc of 180 to 225 degrees.

navigation lights image source: boatus.org

1. Vessels at least 50 meters or 164 feet long require a masthead visibility of 6 miles, sidelight stern light towing like an all-around lights all three colors 3 miles special flashing light for 2 miles.

2. Vessels at least 12m or 39.4 feet but less than 50m 164 feet long require their masthead light visible to 5 miles. If the vessel is less than 65 1/2 feet long then 3 miles is required. Sideline starlight towing light, all around light all colors, and special flashing lights - 2 miles.

3. Vessels less than 12m or 39.4 feet long require masthead light to be visible for 2 miles. The sidelight, 1 mile. Stern light towing light and all-around light (all colors) and special flashing light, 3 miles.

4. Inconspicuous, or totally submerged vessels or objects being towed. White all-around light, 3 miles.

You are required to display the appropriate lights in all weathers from sunset to sunrise. At night, you may display only those lights that are unmistakably in keeping with the rules. Any other lights displayed must not "impair the visibility or distinctive character" of your required lights or "interfere with the keeping of a proper look out. (Rule 20(a) and (b) from the U.S. Inland Rules).

Navigation lights are designed so that the only time you'll see both green and red together is when another boat is coming at you head-on (top). Otherwise, you'll see either green or red light (middle and bottom) if the boat is crossing your course and a white light (stern); if the boat is moving away from you. Very simple rule to remember is that when you see red, stop. The other boater has the right-of-way.

Have fun and be safe and enjoy the beautiful yachting season upon us whether you're cruising by day or by night! See you on the high seas & "bon voyage".

(Originally published in the 2015 Autumn issue of "The Association News" / MMCC)