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, hazy, etc.). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules, International-Inland, specifies lighting requirements for every description of watercraft. The information provided here is intended for power-driven and sailing vessels less than 65.5 feet/20 meters in length.

Power-driven Vessels

• If your vessel is less than 65.5 feet/20 meters in length, then it must display navigation lights per Figure 1.
• If your vessel is less than 39.4 feet/12 meters in length, then it may display navigation lights per Figure2.

• If your vessel is less than 23 feet/7 meters in length and its maximum speed cannot exceed 7 knots, then it may display an all-around white light, and if practicable, sidelights instead of the lights prescribed previously. (For International Rules only).
• For vessels less than 39.4 feet/12 meters in length, the masthead or all-around white light must be at least 1 meter above the sidelights.
• Sidelights may be a combination light instead of two separate lights.

• If your vessel is less than 65.6 feet/20 meters in length, then it must display navigation lights shown in Figures 3, 4, or 5.

• If your vessel is less than 23 feet/7 meters in length, then it should display lights for a sailboat (Figure 3), if practicable. As an option, your vessel may carry a flashlight or lighted lantern that can show a white light in sufficient time to prevent collision (see Figure 6).

• If your vessels is under oars, then it should display lights for a sailboat (Figures 3, 4, or 5), if practicable. As an option, your vessel may carry an electric torch (flashlight) or lighted lantern that can show a white light in sufficient time to prevent collision (see Figure 7).

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-around white light visible where it can best be seen from all directions (see Figure 8).
• DURING THE DAY: All vessels at anchor must display, forward where it can be best seen, a black ball shape conditions (see Figure 9).

• 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 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.

• 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 (See Figure 10).

• 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 (See Figures 1 or 2).

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 above deck. If diving activities are at night, then your vessel must display the navigation lights shown in Figure 10. 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 the vessel's restricted maneuverability and does not pertain to the diver.

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