All
boats must comply with the regulations concerning lighting.
Check that the lights fitted to your boat are showing through
the correct arc.
Lights must be switched on from sunset to sunrise and in
rain and fog.
Failure to display the correct lights may result in
fines or prosecution.
These are the lighting requirements for all
vessels underway:
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Powerboats over 12 metres in length
This includes a sailing boat if it is operating its engine.
Display red and green sidelights, a white sternlight and a
white masthead light.
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Powerboats less than 12 metres in length
May combine their stern and masthead lights to one all
round white light.
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Powerboats less than 7 metres in length and not capable of
speeds over 7 knots
Need only display an all round white light.
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Sailing boats
Must show red and green sidelights and a white sternlight.
These three lights may be combined into a single tri-colour
light mounted at the top of the mast on yachts less than 20
metres in length.
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Sailing boats motoring or motor-sailing
Considered to be powerboats and must display sidelights, a
sternlight and a masthead light.
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Dinghies & Kayaks
All non-powered boats under 7 metres in length, such as a
rowing dinghy, canoe, kayak or sailboat must show a white
light or torch to indicate its presence.
Masthead Light
Masthead lights shine forward in a 225 degree arc and must
be at least 1 metre above the sidelights.
Anchor Light
Every boat at anchor must show only a white light visible
from all directions between sunset and sunrise.
Range of Lights
On boats up to 12 metres in length, white lights must have
a range of 2 miles and side lights a range of 1 mile.
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