Navigation Rules

Require vessels to display lights and shapes under certain conditions.

Navigation Lights

Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and other periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc.). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules, International-Inland, specifies lighting requirements for every description of water craft. The information below is for power-driven and sailing vessels less than 65.5 feet / 20 meters in length.

Power-driven Vessels

(Sail Vessel under machinery power is considered a power-driven vessel).

If your power-driven vessel is less than 65.5 feet / 20 meters in length, then it must display navigation lights.

If your power-driven vessel is less than 39.4 feet / 12 meters in length, then it may display navigation lights.

If your power-driven vessel is less than 23 feet / 7 meters in length and its maximum speed cannot exceed 7 knots, then it may display an all-round white light, and if practicable, sidelights instead of the lights prescribed above. (For International Rules only)

For power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet / 12 meters in length, the masthead or all-round white light must be at least 1 meter above the sidelights.

Sidelights may be a combination light, instead of two separate lights.

Sailing Vessels

If your sailing vessel is less than 65.6 feet / 20 meters in length, then it must display navigation lights as shown below

If your vessel is less than 23 feet / 7 meters in length, then it should display lights for a sailboat, such as above. As an option, your vessel may carry an electric torch (flashlight) or lightened lantern that can show a white light in sufficient time to prevent collision.

Vessel Under Oars

Your vessel may carry a flashlight or lighted lantern that can show a white light in sufficient time to prevent collision.

Lights and Shapes

To alert other vessels of conditions, which may be hazardous, there are requirements to display lights at night and shapes during the day.

Anchored Vessels

AT NIGHT: All vessels at anchor must display anchor lights. If your vessel is less than 164 feet / 50 meters in length, then its anchor light is an all-round white light visible where it can best be seen from all directions.

DURING THE DAY: All vessels at anchor must display, forward where it can be best seen, a black ball.

EXCEPTIONS: If your vessel is less than 23 feet / 7 meters in length, then it is not required to display an anchor light or shape unless it is anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate.

If your vessel is less than 65.6 feet / 20 meters in length, then it is not required to display an anchor light if it is anchored in Inland Waters in a special anchorage designated by the Secretary of Transportation.

Sailing Vessels Under Power (Machinery)

During the day, vessels under sail also being propelled by machinery, must exhibit forward, where best seen, a black conical shape with the apex pointing down.

EXCEPTION: If your vessel is less than 39.4 feet / 12 meters in length, then it is not required to display the shape in Inland Waters.

REMINDER: If you are operating your sail vessel at night using machinery or sail and machinery, then your vessel must display lights required for a power-driven vessel.

Restricted Maneuverability

The Navigation Rules require vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver to display appropriate day shapes or lights. To meet this requirement, if your vessel is engaged in diving activities during the day, then it must exhibit a rigid replica of the international code flag "Alpha" not less than 3.3 feet / 1 meter in height. If the diving activities are at night, then your vessel must display the navigation lights shown below. This requirement does not affect the use of a red and white divers flag, which may be required by State or local law to mark a diver's location. The "A" flag is a navigation signal indicating your vessel's restricted maneuverability and does not pertain to the diver.