Boating enthusiasts know well that navigating through the water can be thrilling yet challenging. Safety should always be a top priority, and one aspect of this is ensuring proper lighting installed on the vessel. One question that often comes up is, “?”
To answer that question, white lights are typically displayed on the front of a boat. These lights are known as “steaming” or “masthead” lights and are used to illuminate the vessel’s path forward. According to U.S. Coast Guard regulations, boats under power or sail over 23 feet in length must display a white steaming light visible from ahead from sunset to sunrise. This light should be permanently attached to the vessel and shine at least 225 degrees.
However, if a boat is less than 23 feet long, it may have an all-around white light attached to the stern instead. This light can be used as both a steaming light and an anchor light. If a vessel is anchored or moored in a dark location, it should display an all-around white light that is visible from all directions.
It’s also important to note that colored lights have specific meanings on boats. Red and green sidelights are used to show the direction the boat is traveling, with red lights displayed on the port (left) side and green lights on the starboard (right) side. A stern light is typically white and displayed at the back of the boat, indicating it’s traveling in the opposite direction from the one shown by the sidelights.
In addition to these required lights, other optional lighting may be displayed on boats for decorative or functional purposes. For instance, some boats may have underwater lights to enhance visibility in darker water conditions.
The front of a boat should have a white steaming light attached to it, visible from ahead, for vessels over 23 feet in length. For boats under 23 feet in length, an all-around white light can be used. Remember to also display the appropriate colored lights and any additional optional lighting that may be helpful on your boating adventures. Stay safe and happy boating!