INavigating
at night requires special care and attention.
Vessels that operate from sunset to sunrise, whether
at anchor or underway, must carry and exhibit the
correct lights. A vessel is underway when not
anchored, moored to the shore or aground.
Navigation lights must also be
displayed during daylight hours in periods of
restricted visibility. All boats, whether used for
commercial purposes or for pleasure boating, must
comply with the regulations concerning lighting.
It is crucial the lights on your
boat be placed and displayed appropriate to the size
and class of your boat. These lights tell other boat
operators what your boat is doing - whether it is at
anchor, under sail or motoring. This guide will
assist you in understanding the correct use of
navigation lights on your boat.
Range of Visibility of Lights
Vessels 12 metres to 20 metres
Placement of Lights
Navigation Lights
Navigation lights shall be
positioned so they are not obscured by the vessel's
superstructure or interfered with by the deck
lights.
Masthead
The masthead and/or all round
white light must be fitted (if practical) on the
centre line (bow to stern) of the vessel.
Required Lights
Power Vessels Underway Vessels under 7 metres and
less than 7 knots
Power vessels of less than 7
metres in length with a maximum speed not exceeding
7 knots shall exhibit a white light visible all
round and, if possible, separate or combined
sidelights.
Vessels under 12 metres
Power vessels of less than 12
metres in length shall exhibit:
a) Separate or combined
sidelights, a masthead light and a stern light or
b) Separate or combined
sidelights, an all round white light.
Masthead or white all round light
shall be carried at least 1 metre above the
sidelights.
Vessels 12 metres to 20 metres
Power vessels more than 12 metres
in length but less than 20 metres in length shall
exhibit:
a) A masthead light, separate
sidelights and stern light or
b) A masthead light, combined
sidelights and stern light.
The masthead light shall be
carried at least 2.5 metres above the gunwale.
Combined sidelights shall be carried at least 1
metre below the masthead light.
Sailing Vessels Underway
Sailing vessels while underway
(being motor driven) shall exhibit navigation lights
applicable to power driven vessels.
Sailing Vessels under 7 metres
Sailing vessels of less than 7
metres in length, or vessels being rowed shall
exhibit the lights required for sailing vessels over
7 metres in length. If not, they shall have ready
for use an electric torch or lighted lantern showing
a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient
time to prevent a collision.
Sailing Vessels 7 metres to 20 metres
Sailing vessels of more than 7
metres in length and less than 20 metres in length
shall exhibit:
a) Combined lantern, that is at
or near the top of the mast and incorporates
sidelights and stern light or
b) Separate sidelights and stern
light.
Sailing Vessels over 20 metres
Sailing vessels more than 20
metres in length shall exhibit sidelights and stern
light and may carry the optional red and green all
round lights.
However, these vessels may not
carry a combined lantern.
Optional Lights
A sailing vessel of any length,
which is fitted with sidelights and a stern light
(but not a combined lantern) may, in addition, carry
two all round lights in a vertical line at or near
the top of the mast. The upper light shall be red
and lower green.
Vessels at Anchor
Vessels under 50 metres
Vessels less than 50 metres in
length at anchor, shall exhibit an all round white
light placed where it may best be seen. Anchor
lights must always be shown from sunset to sunrise.
If you are at anchor or in a busy area, then show
additional lights to ensure you are seen and keep a
good watch.
There are many other combinations
of lights used on vessels. The lights shown relate
to the activity the vessel is engaged in i.e.
fishing, dredging, not under command.
