Navigation Lights
Go To: Navigation Rules On Line
On very small boats less than 7 meters in length (22 ft) that go no faster than 7 knots, the lights can be any all round white light. On sailing or rowing dinghies on inland waters any light is all that is required. Even a flashlight is within the rules. These do not have to be certified.
Boat Builders are not required to install navigation lights. Navigation lights are the boat owner/operator's responsibility. However, most boat builders install lights because that is what their customers want. If you do install navigation lights, the Coast Guard will require you to install them correctly. They may even require you to recall boats that do not have correctly installed navigation lights. Also, if builder does install navigation lights then they must put a certification label on the boat.
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Clarification: The navigation rules on positioning of lights apply to anyone who installs lights whether it be the builder or the owner/operator. The rule requires they be installed correctly. The rules for certification of lights apply only to manufacturers, dealers and distributors of Navigation Lights.
A few years ago the Coast Guard changed the rules on navigation lights. Prior to the current rule, navigation lights on recreational boats had to meet the requirements of the Navigation Rules but did not have to be certified by the light manufacturer. Now they must be certified and labeled as meeting the requirements of ABYC Standard A-16 or an equivalent standard. Most will simply have a label that says USCG 1nm or USCG 2nm, meaning they meet the rules and are visible at 1 nautical mile or 2 nautical miles.
The entire labeling requirement is found in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Subopart 183.810.
The label says:
| USCG Approval 33CFR 183.810 Meets ABYC A-16 (or equivalent standard) Tested by (name of the laboratory that tested them) Name of Manufacturer Model Number Visibility of the light in nautical miles. Date on which the light was tested Identification and specification of the bulb used in compliance testing. |
Obviously that label is too large to fit on most navigation lights so the rule allows the label to be on the package the light comes in, and a shortened label is put on the light.
A combo Red/Green with the label
Below is an announcement from ABYC
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 24, 2025) – The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has officially accepted ABYC C-5, Construction and Testing of Electric Navigation Lights, as an equivalent to UL 1104, according to Policy Letter 01-25. This acceptance gives manufacturers and boat builders a modern way to meet compliance, especially for vessels over 65 feet (19.8 meters) in length.
“ABYC C-5 is a technology-forward standard that reflects how navigation lights are built today,” said Craig Scholten, ABYC vice president of standards and compliance. “This is what success looks like when industry and regulators work together.”
Vessels over 65 feet must use navigation lights that meet UL 1104 or another standard specified by the Commandant. The Coast Guard’s acceptance of ABYC C-5 fulfills this requirement with a current, relevant standard.
The current edition of UL 1104 was produced in 1998. Since then, the technology used in navigation lights has dramatically changed. UL 1104 was not devised to address light-emitting diode (LED) navigation lights, and various tests it requires are not applicable to LED technology. Additionally, LED lights present different failure modes that are not addressed in UL 1104 testing.
ABYC C-5 addresses this gap with updated testing requirements and international alignment. It applies to vessels of all sizes and includes standards for both incandescent and LED navigation lights—covering visibility, color, service life, electromagnetic compatibility, materials, and labeling. The C-5 standard aligns with ISO 19009 Electric navigation lights — Performance of LED lights.
Where Titles 33 and 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) require navigation lights to be certified, a USCG accepted independent laboratory may be authorized under approval series 111.075 to certify navigation lights as meeting ABYC C-5.
End of ABYC Announcement
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If your lights comply wit ABYC Standard A-16 and C-5 you are in compliance with the navigation lights requirements in the Navigation Rules.
What this mean for you is that when you buy, ask about the certification. Ask if the lights are labeled properly. When you get the lights check them to see if they are labeled.
Put the correct certification label on the boat to indicate that you certify that the light meets the rules.
The most common violation concerning navigation lights is improper mounting of the lights. Follow the manufacturers instructions to the letter. Make sure the the lights are properly aligned with the centerline of the boat. Do not mount lights below the sheer line of the boat. Lights mounted below the sheer line cannot meet the vertical sector requirements. See note below.
Clarification: As of Jul 2014 the Inland Navigation Rules have been amended to read the same as the International rules. The International Rules do not allow lights to be mounted below the sheer. It says :
The sidelights of a power-driven vessel shall be placed at a height above the hull not greater than three quarters of that of the forward masthead light. They shall not be so low as to be interfered with by deck lights.
This means you cannot have the sidelights below the sheer line of the hull on a boat configured for international OR inland rules. I repeat, on boats configured for inland rules you cannot use bullseye type lights below the sheer line.
Lights must not be obstructed by structure of the boat or by other things on the boat. All around white lights must be visible 360 degrees around the boat. Also there must be a one meter vertical separation between the side lights and masthead or all around white lights. That means the all around white light must be 1 meter (39.3 inches) higher than the sides lights.
Also, make sure the red and green are on the correct sides. red - left (port) and green - right (starboard). This sounds simple but I have seen it at boat shows.
Several years ago, at a major boat show, I found over ninety violations of navigation light regulations. It is too easy to do it wrong.
Problems With Navigation Lights
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Both of these boats could be subject to recall.
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Both the above lights are obstructed. The upper light is supposed to be visible 360 degrees, yet it is obstructed to the left by the radar dome and forward and aft by superstructure. It needs to be about 3 feet higher.
The light below is a green sidelight but it is mounted under an over hanging deck that has a canvas fringe hanging down and is also obstructed by superstructure forward of the light. The boat builder corrected it by moving the light out board on to the side of the over hanging deck.
If you have questions about navigation lights call the
Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety 202-372-1077
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