What navigation lights are required on a pontoon boat?
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 (if vessel is less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead light and a sternlight.
What are the rules of navigation lights on boats?
Side lights must be visible from one nautical mile, and masthead and stern lights must be visible from two nautical miles. Sailboats under 12 meters – Must show green and red side lights (meeting the same requirements as those found on a powerboat) and a white stern light, or, may show a tri-colored masthead light.
Do I need navigation lights on my boat?
You are required to display the appropriate lights at night or during times of reduced visibility. Navigation lights are used to prevent collisions at night or in times of reduced visibility, and are an essential tool in keeping you and your vessel safe.
What navigation lights must be displayed?
They show what size and type of vessel you’re in, whether you’re at anchor or underway, and your direction of travel. You must display navigation lights: at night (from sunset to sunrise) at times of restricted visibility, such as when there’s fog, smoke or glare.
Where does the white light go on a pontoon boat?
The white light located towards the stern (rear) of all Switch pontoons is used as a locator light. Often, this is the first light you’ll see when spotting another boat in the dark. Once you identify a boat’s location, you can use the red and green lights discussed above to determine their course of travel.
What does a single white light on a boat tell you?
What Does a White Light Indicate? If only a white light is visible, you may be approaching another craft from behind. You are the give-way-craft and must take early and substantial action to steer well clear by altering your course and passing at a safe distance on the starboard (right) or port (left) side.
What are the three requirements for navigation light panel?
What is the requirement to carry spare Navigation lights and lamps?
- A masthead light, sidelights and a sternlight installed on board a ship not less than 50m in length should be duplicated or be fitted with duplicate lamps.
- A sufficient number of spare lamps for Navigation lights should be carried onboard.
What lights are required on a boat under 23 feet?
Vessels Under Oars or Paddles and Sailboats Under 23 FT
If you are operating a sailboat that is less than 23 feet or 7 meters in length, you are only required to display a white light, such as a lantern or a flashlight, when operating between sunset and sunrise or during periods of restricted visibility.
What does a white light on a boat mean?
The red light indicates a vessel’s port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side. Sternlight: This white light is seen only from behind or nearly behind the vessel. Masthead Light: This white light shines forward and to both sides and is required on all power-driven vessels.
What side do navigation lights go on a boat?
Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel’s port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side.
What does 5 horn blasts mean?
danger
Five (or more) short, rapid blasts signal danger or signal that you do not understand or that you disagree with the other boater’s intentions.
What do three short blasts of a horn mean?
I am backing up
One short blast tells other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my port (left side).” Two short blasts tell other boaters, “I intend to pass you on my starboard (right) side.” Three short blasts tell other boaters, “I am backing up.”
What does a blue light on a boat mean?
(a) Law enforcement vessels may display a flashing blue light when engaged in direct law enforcement or public safety activities. This light must be located so that it does not interfere with the visibility of the vessel’s navigation lights.
Do navigation lights need to be USCG approved?
The proper installation of any light is critical to it being “U.S. Coast Guard Approved,” as required by Annex I (COLREGs, paragraph 14 and Inland, 33 CFR 84.20).
What does a green light on a boat at night mean?
starboard
Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel’s port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel’s starboard (right) side.
Which side do you pass an oncoming boat?
If you meet another boat head-on: Under the boating rules of the road, vessels approaching each other head-on are always supposed to pass each other port to port — or left to left, just like on the road.
What does 3 honks on a boat mean?
Three Short Blasts – This means you are operating in astern propulsion, for example backing away from a dock. One Prolonged Blast + Three Short Blasts – This is technically two different signals in succession. One prolonged blast indicates you are getting under way, and three short blasts indicate you are backing up.
What does it mean when a boat honks 5 times?
Warning. One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip). Five (or more) short, rapid blasts signal danger or signal that you do not understand or that you disagree with the other boater’s intentions.
When boating at night what does a single white light mean?
All-Round White Light: On power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, this light may be used to combine a masthead light and sternlight into a single white light that can be seen by other vessels from any direction. This light serves as an anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.
Are LED lights Coast Guard approved?
Whether you own a fishing boat or a yacht, there are two types of lights your boat needs to have. The first can either be an all-round white light (for boats smaller than 39.4 feet / 12 meters long) or the combination of a masthead light and a sternlight.
What does 3 short blasts of a boat horn mean?
What side should a green buoy be on?
left
Likewise, green buoys are kept to the port (left) side (see chart below). Conversely, when proceeding toward the sea or leaving port, red buoys are kept to port side and green buoys to the starboard side. Red buoys are always even numbered, and green buoys are odd numbered.
What does 6 short blasts from a boat mean?
One prolonged blast is a warning signal (for example, used when coming around a blind bend or exiting a slip). Five or more short rapid blasts signal danger, or signal that you do not understand or that you disagree with the other boater’s intentions.
What does 7 blasts on a ships horn mean?
general emergency alarm
1) General Alarm:
The general emergency alarm on the ship is recognised by 7 short ringings of the bell followed by a long ring or using the ship horn signal of 7 short blasts followed by 1 long blast.