Here is a brief synopsis of the requirements.

What type of boats require navigation lights. Personal watercraft are also powered boats. What type of boat requires navigation lights. All boats whether used for commercial purposes or for pleasure boating must comply with the regulations concerning lighting.

The all-round white light or the masthead light must be at least 33 feet one meter higher than the sidelights. All the boats operating at night requires Navigation light. An all-round white light if vessel is less than 394 feet long or both a masthead light and a sternlight.

This goes for the following types of vessels. Larger boats require brighter and usually bigger navigation lights. Powered Boat Navigation Lights.

A vessel is underway when it is not. While true as a general rule the minimum visibility required also varies with the type of light. All round white light.

Yellow lights when towing is a navigation light used for towing. If you see a lot of lights or lights up high its probably a large vessel such as a ship or commercial fishing boat. These are some examples of navigation lights you may see.

Sailboats under engine power are considered to be powered boats and must show the same lights as a powered boat. Navigation lights for a powerboat operating at night less than 12 meters 394 in lenght. A vessel of less than 7 meters in length when at anchor not in or near a narrow channel fairway or where other vessels normally navigate is not required to exhibit an all-round white light.