When driving a watercraft in the ocean or a lake at night, you will need certain types of boat lights to help keep you safe. The U. S. Coast Guards requires that your vessel have at least two different types of fixtures to help alert other passerbys to your location and direction. You might also wish to purchase lights that are available to help you catch fish, if that is your goal.
Every vessel that is upon the water at night is required, by the U. S. Coast Guard, to have at least two different types of lighting fixtures on it. These regulations exist to keep the passengers of all boats safe. Each boat must have green and red sidelights and either a white stern or masthead light. The specific type differs depending upon the size of the craft.
Any vessel operating on the water must have red and green sidelights attached to it and lit. The red shows the port, or left, side of the vessel, while the green shows the starboard, or right, side. Other vessels that are also on the water will then know which direction this particular watercraft is aimed and traveling. It also helps to show the current location.
A stern light is meant to attach to the rear of the boat. Every stern light is white, but the visibility, or brightness, differs. How much you are required to have depends on the length of your watercraft. By attaching this fixture, you help to show other ships where you are located and which direction you are traveling in.
If a vessel has an operational motor, then it must also possess a masthead light. Any time that the engine is turned on, so to must the fixture be lit. Again, this is simply to alert other motorists. The light itself is white and shines to both sides and the front. The only types of vessels that do not need this specific type are sailboats.
Smaller vessels may use an all-round white light, instead of a masthead or stern light. This type shines in all directions, instead of having the two separate fixtures. It alerts other vessels to the fact that the vessel is in motion and to its location. When the sidelights are not lit, then it serves to simply alert to the location of the ship.
You may also purchase lights to help you with your fishing, if that is your goal. These fixtures are small and green and can either be attached permanently to your vessel or can be separate and submerged in the water when needed. Fish can see blue and green colors. Green typically alerts them to the presence of food, such as shrimp or small bugs, since there is algae or other plant life in that location. Therefore, small green bulbs will attract fish to help a fisherman make a catch.
Boat lights are a regulatory requirement that will help ensure the safety of both the driver and passengers of a watercraft. The simple addition and use of these types of fixtures can help turn a little night ride into a lot of fun. It might even help a person to catch some fish. Every owner should make sure that he adheres to these requirements.
Every vessel that is upon the water at night is required, by the U. S. Coast Guard, to have at least two different types of lighting fixtures on it. These regulations exist to keep the passengers of all boats safe. Each boat must have green and red sidelights and either a white stern or masthead light. The specific type differs depending upon the size of the craft.
Any vessel operating on the water must have red and green sidelights attached to it and lit. The red shows the port, or left, side of the vessel, while the green shows the starboard, or right, side. Other vessels that are also on the water will then know which direction this particular watercraft is aimed and traveling. It also helps to show the current location.
A stern light is meant to attach to the rear of the boat. Every stern light is white, but the visibility, or brightness, differs. How much you are required to have depends on the length of your watercraft. By attaching this fixture, you help to show other ships where you are located and which direction you are traveling in.
If a vessel has an operational motor, then it must also possess a masthead light. Any time that the engine is turned on, so to must the fixture be lit. Again, this is simply to alert other motorists. The light itself is white and shines to both sides and the front. The only types of vessels that do not need this specific type are sailboats.
Smaller vessels may use an all-round white light, instead of a masthead or stern light. This type shines in all directions, instead of having the two separate fixtures. It alerts other vessels to the fact that the vessel is in motion and to its location. When the sidelights are not lit, then it serves to simply alert to the location of the ship.
You may also purchase lights to help you with your fishing, if that is your goal. These fixtures are small and green and can either be attached permanently to your vessel or can be separate and submerged in the water when needed. Fish can see blue and green colors. Green typically alerts them to the presence of food, such as shrimp or small bugs, since there is algae or other plant life in that location. Therefore, small green bulbs will attract fish to help a fisherman make a catch.
Boat lights are a regulatory requirement that will help ensure the safety of both the driver and passengers of a watercraft. The simple addition and use of these types of fixtures can help turn a little night ride into a lot of fun. It might even help a person to catch some fish. Every owner should make sure that he adheres to these requirements.