All of your boat’s navigation lights, including the sternlight, must be on from sunset to sundown or when visibility is low, like if you’re sailing during a storm. The sternlight is also sometimes called an aft light (“aft” refers to the stern section of a boat). [2] X Research source
Masthead lights must be visible for 3 nautical miles (3. 5 mi or 5. 6 km) if your boat is over 12 m (39 ft) long, or 2 nautical miles (2. 3 mi or 3. 7 km) if it’s shorter. The masthead and sternlight combined ensure that your boat is visible from 360 degrees.
Both lights shine over a 112. 5 degree angle. The colored sidelights are optional for boats less than 7 m (23 ft) long.
On very small boats, a torch or flashlight is acceptable as long as it’s visible from 360 degrees.
The all-around white light must be at least 39 in (0. 99 m) above the sidelights.
Tricolor lights shine white, red, and green lights in the appropriate direction and cannot be displayed at the same time as regular sidelights. A tricolor light indicates the boat is sailing and not using power. It can’t be used if the sailboat is using a motor (whether the sails are hoisted or not). Tricolor lights are positioned toward the front of the boat where the masthead light would normally go.
Masthead lights must be at least 8 ft (2. 4 m) above the gunnel (the outermost top edge of a boat’s hull, usually where the deck and the hull meet).
