Nav light requirements

[fishfreek]

I am in the process of buying the lighting for my new boat so I have looked at many different light styles and have become more confused than ever. What is the actual USCG requirements for the red / green bow light? I have found a set of flush mount L.E.D. lights that look like shark eyes. They have 112 degrees of sight when light and I would like to mount these in the sides of my tiller console. Can I do that?



Thanks

 

[rickryder]

Re: Nav light requirements

From the USCG handbook...http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent#rule21

Rule 21 - Definitions

(a) "Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the masthead light shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

(b) "Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. In a vessel of less than 20 meters in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the sidelights when combined in one lantern shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.

(c) "Sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.

(d) "Towing light" means a yellow light having the same characteristics as the "sternlight" defined in paragraph (c) of this Rule.

(e) "All-round light" means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees.

(f) "Flashing light" means a light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.

(g) "Special flashing light" means a yellow light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 50 to 70 flashes per minute, placed as far forward and as nearly as practicable on the fore and aft centerline of the tow and showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of not less than 180 degrees nor more than 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to abeam and no more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Nav light requirements

The bow light should be mounted at the bow, not the console. But I dont understand how you can have a tiller, and a console at the same time. A pic of your boat would be helpful. Plus you also need a stern light.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Nav light requirements

just in case you are like me......red and green go up front......white goes on the back.....the rules say that the red and green can be mounted a little further towards the middle but must be forward of the mid point and the white can be mounted more towards the middle but must not be mounted past the center point. the rules say this as its not practicable on some boats to mount then on the very front or very back but on most boats thats not a problem. the idea is when you see a boat at night you should be able to tell its direction just by looking at the lights (tag office normally carrys a free booklet on boat safety rules that has pictures of the lights and how they should be used)

 

[fishfreek]

Re: Nav light requirements

Thanks,

I know I need a stern light, I have that covered. Yes the boat will be a tiller but it will have what is known as a tiller console. Basically it's just a storage bo x with a buit in grab bar, just something to hold onto when standing and running in rougher water or whatever. I have had boats in the past with lights attached to the side of a center console so I know it's leagal I just was not sure what the degree of sight rules were. I guess I will just wait until I get the ones I like and see if they will meet the reguirements after installed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Nav light requirements

The stern light must be above the red and green lights, and visible 360?.

In other words, It will have to be taller than the console, and if you put the red and green on the console, the stern light will have to be above them.

 

[fishfreek]

Re: Nav light requirements

Yep the stern light will be mounted to the top of the poling platform with a fold down mount so that it is out of the way when the light is not needed.

I found this it answers alot of questions with a couple vidoes and simple illustrations. It shows the same setup as I am looking at. It does explain about the 112.5 degrees and how it needs to be on a square straight line. It also explains how many boats that have the red and green lights mounted in the bow on the sides are not legal. As it says the owner of the boat is responsible to make sure their lights are legal NOT the manufacturer.


http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/sidelights.htm

 

[roscoe]

Re: Nav light requirements

Just make sure those lights are not blocked by any part of the boat, including the bow when on plane.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Nav light requirements

Why don't you want to put them on the bow one on each side that way they can't be blocked by soeone standing in the wrong place or as Roscoe pointed out by bow rise, on the point of the bow they can never be blocked.

I have LEDs similar to what you are talking about and mounted them on the front sides of the bow, they are just stupid bright and I don't think I would want them in the boat at night.

I night fish and can tell you how important correct lights are, I have had some pretty close calls with boneheads out at night with no lights and it makes it alot easier to navigate aound someone when you know where they are and whay direction they are headed, get em on the outside of the hull where they belong

 

[JoLin]

Re: Nav light requirements

Why don't you want to put them on the bow one on each side that way they can't be blocked by soeone standing in the wrong place or as Roscoe pointed out by bow rise, on the point of the bow they can never be blocked.

Exactly. This is not the place to install custom solutions that 'look cooler' than what everyone else is doing. Mount them at/near the bow, on the gunwales of the boat where they can't possibly be blocked by anything or anyone aboard. Stern/anchor light at the stern, higher than anything else in the boat, and visible through 360 degrees.

My .02

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Nav light requirements

I have to agree lights are to important to mess around with. You want to make sure you are (1) legal and (2) more importantly safe.

 

[fishfreek]

Re: Nav light requirements

I am trying to be as safe as possible that is the reason I was considering putting them in the console.
As you can see from this bow picture if I install the lights in the bow they would not meet the USCG requirements of being on a horizontal plane with the center line of the boat. That is why I was considering putting them in the console. NOT to be cool and NOT because everyone else is doing it.
This a stock picture of the boat without the tiller console but you get the idea.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Nav light requirements

If I am understanding your tiller console right won't it be behind the center line of the boat? From what I understand of the regs if you put the red/green light right up front on the peak your good. I could be wrong though.

 

[fishfreek]

Re: Nav light requirements

Yes you are right. If I mount a light right on the point of deck I would be good and legal. The only issue is that light becomes a tangle point when fly fishing and if I put in a pop up type bow light then I have to cut a 3" hole in my deck. I really don't want to do that. But....... Thats probably going to end up being my best answer.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Nav light requirements

That is why I was considering putting them in the console. NOT to be cool and NOT because everyone else is doing it.

In your case I did you an injustice. I apologize.

 

[fishfreek]

Re: Nav light requirements

No problem JoLin,

This is the first time that I have been able to have control of a build from the ground or should I say from the water up and I have an exact use in store for this boat and want everything as right, legal and yet functional as possible from the start. I am learning alot along the way and the folks here as well as another site has made this process much easier. Today I actually found a set of L.E.D. lights that are made to use exactly where I need to use them so my search is over. Now I just need to learn how to PROPERLY wire the few components that I will have on the boat.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Nav light requirements

There different rules for boats over 20' I think too. Also you stern light is supposed to be 1 meter above the bow lights. I don't know if that's min and it can go higher.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Nav light requirements

I believe that's the minimum height. I'm pretty sure it can be higher if you want it to be.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Nav light requirements

You want to make sure you are (1) legal and (2) more importantly safe.

If he's (1) legal, why would he not be (2) safe?

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Nav light requirements

Laws are not always perfect. If the law says the light just has to be forward of the mid point of the boat you are legal but if someone on the boat stands in front of it you are no longer safe.