143035_DBW Course_r3

Chapter 2 X Boating Law, Navigational Rules and Navigational Aids

Lighting All moving boats must show navigation lights between sunset and sunrise, and at times when it’s hard to see very far. Personal watercraft are prohibited from operating between sunset and sunrise even with proper navigation lights. Navigation light requirements vary by vessel length and power source. In general, requirements are the same for inland and international rules. The chart shows the color, location and direction of the lights for recreational boats (or pleasure craft).

Boats less than 12 meters (39 feet, 4 inches) f Motorboats or sailboats using power: The lights shown in Figure 1, 2 or 3 may be used. f Sailboats using sails alone: The lights shown in Figure 4, 5, or 6 may be used. Boats between 12 and 20 meters (39 feet, 4 inches to 65 feet, 7 inches) f Motorboats or sailboats using power: The lights shown in Figure 1, 2 or 3 may be used. f Sailboats using sails alone: The lights shown in Figure 4, 5, or 6 may be used. Location of lights Lights should be located as shown in the drawings. The masthead light (forward white light in Figure 1 ) must be at least one meter—39 inches— higher than the colored lights on a boat less than 40 feet long, and at least 8 feet above the gunwale on a boat between 40 and 65 feet long. Exceptions Motorboats or sailboats using power, built before Dec. 24,

Nighttime Navigation

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Row boats, paddle boats, and sailboats less than 7 meters (23 feet) in length, as in Figure 7 , must have one all-round handheld electronic distress light ready to display in time to prevent a collision.

1980: The lights shown in Figure 1, 2 or 3 may be used. But the arrangement in Figure 3 is not acceptable on a boat 40 feet or longer on international waters.

At night, motorboats less than 40 feet long may combine the masthead light and stern light into one all-round white light. When at anchor, boats must show one all-round white light at night.

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Taken from Coast Guard Navigation Rules

During the day, these boats must show day shapes. A day shape might be one black ball that is visible from the highest point of the vessel, which signals that the boat is at anchor.

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California Course for Safe Boating