

The following are some details relating to boat lights that will help keep you safe on your next sail. You might also need to know what they mean, when they are used, and what other options you have while sailing at night. That’s not everything you need to know about boat lights. This will help you avoid any collisions with other boats and ensure you get home safely. With boat lights on, you and your passengers are assured that your boat will be visible to other boats.

This is because you could find yourself out sailing before sunset, and suddenly it gets foggy out there, or you get stranded and have to wait until dark. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning on boating at night or not these lights should be in perfect working condition. Regardless of the size of the boat you’re sailing in, you should always have these lights fitted. They should be seen from a distance of one mile from a smaller boat of under 39.4 feet and a distance of two miles from boats bigger than 39.4 feet. The green light should be on the starboard (right), the red light on the port side (left), while the white light is to be placed at the front, rear, and top of the boat.Īll these lights should be visible on a dark and clear night. When sailing at night, you’ll need three types of lights, green, red and white.


This makes it all-important to always have your boat lights on when navigating at night. Waterways can witness some ever-changing hazards like tides, and while sailing, traffic of other boats might cross your path. Unlike roads and streets flooded with lights all over, waterways are unlit and can be very dark. Maybe you wanted to catch that beautiful sunset, or you love the thrill of sailing at night one thing is clear, you want to get home safe and sound.īoat lights ensure that while you’re on that night cruise, you can see and be seen clearly by other sailors so that you don’t end up crushing on other boats or end up getting lost. Whether it’s by choice or unavoidable circumstances that you stayed out at night sailing, you’ll need to boat lights to get home safely.
