Running Lights

A

Arnold

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Oct 14, 2003
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Are running lights mandatory to have even if you don't run at night?
I am looking to buy a little fishing boat that has no running light installed. I don't intend to go out when it is dark.
Thanks
 
Define little.

Rules do change once you go over certain thresholds, that said regardless of size or intentions you d have to be real stupid not to have running and anchor lights to a boat... Just in case one day you run late.
 
You need to check with your local enforcement. I don't see anything in USCG regs tha requires you to have them unless you operate or anchor the boat between sunset and sunrise. That said, USCG (federal) regs state minimum requirements. State and local governments can add to those requirements.

I would minimally keep a set of battery-operated lights aboard. You could get caught out after dark, and there are other conditions of decreased visibility that can occur, besides darkness. It's critical that other boaters be able to see and hear you.

My .02
 
quote:
Originally posted by JoLin

I would minimally keep a set of battery-operated lights aboard. You could get caught out after dark, and there are other conditions of decreased visibility that can occur, besides darkness. It's critical that other boaters be able to see and hear you.

My .02

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Exactly. Even if you don't ever operate at night - fog happens. And you need running lights when operating in or near an area of restricted visibility.

Edit: And yes - it is enforceable as a violation
 
It is always "reassuring" to have a set of "flashlight style" running lights aboard ANY powered vessel. Even "large" boats. They can be used as an "emergency spare". They are cheap, and can be stowed until needed.

As for "don't intend to go out when dark", while we all have good intentions, situations occur that can change plans. ( ie: wait out the storm at anchor ). For that matter, running in the rain or fog, you would want them...

I would not be concerned with the "legality" as much as I would be concerned with "utility". Situations can, and will likely, occur where you would wish to have them.

I'd have some form of running lights available.
 
Vessels under 12 meters must have at least a 360 light. All of the Coast Guard regs can be found at www dot uscgboating dot org/ images/420 dot PDF. This document includes all of the minimum federal regs for just about everything.
 
Great comments thanks.
I have running light on my 40' boat but I did not know what to do to on a small boat that I intend to use as a dinghy.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Arnold

Great comments thanks.
I have running light on my 40' boat but I did not know what to do to on a small boat that I intend to use as a dinghy.

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That puts a little different spin on things, I think. Again, how small is small? Are you using it as a tender to a moored boat? Using it to putter around when the main boat is at anchor, like at a raft-up? I wouldn't put running lights on an 8' knock-around dinghy, either.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

Define little.

Rules do change once you go over certain thresholds, that said regardless of size or intentions you d have to be real stupid not to have running and anchor lights to a boat... Just in case one day you run late.

Click to expand...


Pascal, as a fellow professional boat operator I'm curious on your take on running lights - do you always run with them burning, day or night, or just when they're needed? (I've always been an 'always on' type, and most larger commercial or professionally run boats seem to, but I've noticed most uninspected commercial and even smaller t-boats only seem to burn nav lights at night or in the fog when someone tells them to)

Seems to be about 50/50 with yachts.
 
i turn them on at night or restricted visibility like heavy rain but don't leave them on otherwise, main reason is that we anchor a lot. The last two days where the first two days in 5 weeks that we ve been tied up At the dock and on shoe power!

the only worst thing than someone not having all their running lights on is someone anchored running lights on. Very aggravating as you end up assuming the guy is underway till you can be sure

Now for commercial vessels like tugs, ferries, etc,.. That don't anchor frequently I can see why they leave them on H24

I don't recall the specific rule but small boats under 12' I think, which can not go faster than 7kts are only required to have an all around light. Not green/red
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

i turn them on at night or restricted visibility like heavy rain but don't leave them on otherwise, main reason is that we anchor a lot. The last two days where the first two days in 5 weeks that we ve been tied up At the dock and on shoe power!

the only worst thing than someone not having all their running lights on is someone anchored running lights on. Very aggravating as you end up assuming the guy is underway till you can be sure

Now for commercial vessels like tugs, ferries, etc,.. That don't anchor frequently I can see why they leave them on H24

I don't recall the specific rule but small boats under 12' I think, which can not go faster than 7kts are only required to have an all around light. Not green/red

Click to expand...


According the federal guidelines for rec boats booklet, it appears that small-boat exception is for under 23'length and max speed under 7kts.
http://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF. (page 28.)

But colored sidelights are still recommended.
And state regs ...may... require bow/sidelights on some small boats.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

i turn them on at night or restricted visibility like heavy rain but don't leave them on otherwise, main reason is that we anchor a lot. The last two days where the first two days in 5 weeks that we ve been tied up At the dock and on shoe power!

the only worst thing than someone not having all their running lights on is someone anchored running lights on. Very aggravating as you end up assuming the guy is underway till you can be sure

Now for commercial vessels like tugs, ferries, etc,.. That don't anchor frequently I can see why they leave them on H24

I don't recall the specific rule but small boats under 12' I think, which can not go faster than 7kts are only required to have an all around light. Not green/red

Click to expand...


Makes sense. Extremely rare for me to anchor, so I just run them all the time - my own reason for it is to eliminate the chance it gets forgotten when it gets dark or foggy. The more variables I can control from the outset, the more attention I can allocate to the variables I CANNOT control from the outset - or at all.
 
The clamp on railing light type would likely satisfy the rulles. You could just clamp it on if/when needed.
 
It's an old 20' CC and I think that Stephen's idea would work. Thanks again for the advise.
 
I would encourage you to review that CG document page 42 which clearly lists all of the things you must have. At first glance it notes at minimum the following: registration numbers, PFD's, throwable PFD, flares, fire ext, horn or other sound device, and nav lights *past sunset*.
 
You also need to know your state laws regarding necessary equipment.
 
You would need a minimum of 3 lights, available as 2 clamp on fixtures - often listed as a portable bow (Combo side lights [red and green]), and portable stern (an all-around white) lights. You need both. This will meet both international and in-land rules for a power boat under 7 meters.

And Stephen is mostly right - You do need nav lights when running past sunset, but also during restricted visibility - like fog, extreme haze, rain, snow. . ..

That all said, I'm surprised a 20 ft Center Console didn't come from the factory with nav lights installed.
 
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