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Official Indiana Boating Handbook Indiana Department of Natural Resources

It's the Law: Required Equipment

Navigation Lights    IC 14-15-2-10 through 15

  • Vessel operators must make sure that their vessels are equipped with the proper navigation lights and use the lights during these conditions:
    • When away from the dock between sunset and sunrise
    • During periods of restricted visibility such as fog or heavy rain
  • No other lights that may be mistaken for required navigation lights may be exhibited.
  • The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel.
Your Vessel: That Is: Must Display These Lights
When Underway:		 As Shown In:
• Motorboat
• Sailboat under power		 Powered by engine less than 15 hp

• An all-round white light or both a masthead light and a sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles

 Figure 1
• Motorboat
• Sailboat under power		 Powered by engine 15 hp or greater

• Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile
• An all-round white light or both a masthead light and a sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles

 Figure 2
• Sailboat under sail More than 22 ft. in length

• Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile
• A sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles

 Figure 3
• Sailboat under sail
• Canoe or kayak
• Vessel with an electric motor

22 ft. or less in length

• One lantern or flashlight shining a white light visible from a distance of at least two miles; the operator must display the light in sufficient time to avoid a collision with another vessel

 Figure 4

All Vessels When Not Underway

All vessels are required to display a white light visible from all directions whenever they are moored or anchored away from dock between sunset and sunrise.

Speed between sunset and sunrise is limited to 10 miles per hour (IC 14-15-3-8).

Figure 1

Sailboat with combination sidelights, masthead light and sternlight

 Powerboat with all-round white light

Figure 2
Sailboat with combination sidelights, masthead light and sternlight Powerboat with masthead light, sternlight and green sidelight
Powerboat with combination sidelights and all-round white light Powerboat with masthead light, sternlight and red sidelight

Figure 3

Figure 4
Sailboat operator at night with flashlight Rowboat operator at night with flashlight
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