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Boat Massachusetts: Official Massachusetts boating safety course

Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Navigation Lights

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

The different types of navigation lights are described in Navigation Lights in Chapter 3. No other lights that may be mistaken for required navigation lights may be exhibited. Note: Blue or red flashing lights are restricted to use by law enforcement vessels only.

Figure 1: Navigation lights on power-driven vessels less than 65.6 feet

The red and green lighting must conform to the illustration above. Red should be on the left side of the bow and green on the right side of the bow.

The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel. The common lighting configurations for recreational vessels are discussed below. For other configurations and requirements for larger vessels, see the U.S. Coast Guard's Navigation Rules.

Power-Driven Vessels Less Than 65.6 Feet Long When Underway

If less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) 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 (12 meters) 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 (one meter) higher than the sidelights.

Unpowered Vessels When Underway

Unpowered vessels are sailing vessels or vessels that are paddled, poled, or rowed.

Navigation lights for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet long

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.

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 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.
  • A sternlight visible from a distance of at least two miles away.
Figure 3: Navigation lights on unpowered vessels less than 23 feet long

If less than 23.0 feet (7 meters) 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 shown in Figure 3.

To prevent a collision, 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 from all directions whenever they are anchored away from dock or moored in an area other than a designated mooring area between sunset and sunrise.

All-round white light
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