All-around light (stern light) issues include: placing black tape over part of the part of the stern light that shines down inside the boat placing a hat, sock, bag, etc. Officer Michael Morris of Smith Mountain Lake reports several “strange” things he has seen while boating at night. These rules on lighting configuration have not changed in years, but more and more, our officers are seeing lighting violations and motorboats operating at night that are a hazard to others. The proper placement of a boat’s navigation lights allows other boaters to determine what type of boat you are (manual vs power vs sail) and which direction you are heading so that right-of-way can be determined. When a boat is anchored at night, the side navigation lights are extinguished, but the all-around white light must be on. This light needs to be 1 meter (3.3 feet) above the sidelights and not blocked by any portion of the vessel. A full circle of white light is created by an all-around light – the light must be visible 360°. Most recreational motorboats can utilize an all-around white light on the stern (back) of the motorboat ( if your boat is greater than 39’ check this site). These lights are required to shine from dead ahead to 112.5° on their respective sides. The port side is the left side of the boat when facing the bow (front) of the boat when standing inside the boat. The required colors of the sidelights are red and green – red lights belong on the port side of the vessel and green lights belong on the starboard side of the vessel. When a motorboat is operated at night, sidelights are required on the bow (front) and an all-around white light at the stern (back) of all motorboats. Most everyone knows the proper lighting configuration for motorboats. Despite the trend to light up your boat, your lighting configuration may not only be creating a navigation hazard for your fellow night-time boaters, but they may also be illegal. DGIF Conservation Police Officers on the water often see some strange lights at night, and they are not from UFOs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |