Navigation Lights for Boats – What You Need to Know
It is both dangerous and illegal to operate a boat in the dark without proper navigation lights. Missing or incorrect lights can also affect liability in the event of a collision.
Check your navigation lights well before nightfall. Different types of boats are required to show different lights, and these lights also help you determine which vessel must give way. Make sure your lights are correct and compliant with regulations.
See navigation lights in our online store
ROWBOATS
Minimum requirement:
A rowboat must carry a readily available white light, such as an electric lamp or lit lantern, which can be shown in time to avoid collision.
Suitable lights for rowboats:
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Navisafe 360 Navigation Light Set
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LED Combination Light with Mounting Bracket (battery-powered)
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Talamex Battery-Powered 360° LED Light Mast
OPEN MOTORBOATS UNDER 7 m
A motorboat under 7 m that does not have a suitable place 1 m above the waterline for mounting sidelights may show an all-round white light.
Suitable lights for motorboats under 7 m:
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Navisafe 360 Navigation Light Set
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360° LED Masthead Light 12V, 61 cm Folding Base
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360° LED Masthead Light 12V, 109 cm Removable Base
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360° LED Masthead Light 12V, 23 cm Folding Base
MOTOR VESSELS UNDER 12 m
Vessels under 12 m may use a combined sidelights unit instead of separate port and starboard lights.
Suitable lights for motorboats under 12 m:
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Navigation Lights – Marinekauppa
SAILBOATS UNDER 7 m
Minimum requirement:
A sailboat under 7 m must carry a readily available white light, such as an electric lamp or lit lantern.
Suitable lights for small sailboats:
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Navisafe Waterproof LED Navigation Light with Magnet
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Navisafe 360 Navigation Light Set
SAILBOATS (General)
A sailboat using its auxiliary engine must also display a masthead light (steaming light) in addition to normal sailing lights.
Suitable lights for sailboats:
SAILBOATS UNDER 20 m
A sailing vessel under 20 m underway must show:
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Sidelights
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Stern light
Suitable lights for sailboats under 20 m:
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Navigation Lights – Marinekauppa
MAST LIGHT OPTIONS FOR SAILBOATS
Small sailboats may choose to use a combined tricolor masthead light, displaying sidelights and stern light in one unit.
Sailboats under 12 m may replace standard sidelights and stern light with a masthead tricolor light while sailing.
Source: Finnboat – Veneilyn aapinen
