Boat at Night Safely: Rules, Tips and Boating Lights
November 2, 2022
Boating at night comes with particular challenges. It’s much harder to see clearly in the dark, and waterways can’t be equipped with the same lampposts and reflective tape that make roads more visible at night. That’s why there are regulations in place requiring boats to display navigation lights that make them more visible in the dark.
Discover the details of Canadian navigation light regulations and tips for boating safely at night in this article!
Boating at night rules: navigation lights
Navigation lights are part of the essential boating safety equipment required on every pleasure craft. These lights must be displayed when boating at night or in reduced visibility conditions. Canadian boating regulations have specific navigation light requirements for different types and sizes of vessels.
The most common types of navigation lights required
- All-round light: a light that shines continuously and can be seen all the way around the horizon
- Side lights: a green light on the starboard side of the bow and a red light on the port side of the bow
- Stern light: a white light at the stern
- Masthead light: a white light affixed to the mast
Navigation light requirements for human-powered craft
Human-powered boats are required to display a white light that can be seen from all sides. Otherwise, they are permitted to follow the light requirements for sailboats, according to vessel length.
Navigation light requirements for sailboats
Sailboats under 7 m
Sailboats under 7 m must display green and red sidelights and a stern light. Optionally, they may also display one red and one green all-round light, with the red on top and in line with the green.
Alternatively, they may display a lantern that combines the coloured sidelights and stern light.
Alternatively, they may display a white light that can be seen from all sides.
Sailboats between 7 m and 20 m
Sailboats between 7 m and 20 m must display green and red sidelights and a stern light. Optionally, they may also display one red and one green all-round light, with the red on top and in line with the green.
Alternatively, they may display a lantern that combines the coloured sidelights and stern light.
Sailboats 20 m and over
Sailboats 20 m and over must display green and red sidelights and a stern light. Optionally, they may also display one red and one green all-round light, with the red on top and in line with the green.
Navigation light requirements for power boats
Power boats under 12 m
Power boats under 12 m must display a masthead light, sidelights, and a stern light or all-round white light. Optionally, they can add a second masthead light.
Power boats between 12 m and 50 m
Power boats between 12 m and 50 m must display a masthead light, sidelights and a stern light. Optionally, they can add a second masthead light.
Navigation light requirements for anchored vessels
Boats must display an all-round white light when anchored in or near a narrow channel, fairway, anchorage or other area that may experience boat traffic.
How to interpret navigation lights
Generally speaking, if you can see both red and green lights, that means that a boat is coming at you head on. Both vessels should alter their course to starboard to avoid a collision.
If you see a green light, you are approaching a vessel’s starboard side and may have the right of way, depending on the type of vessel. You can proceed, but with caution, and you may still need to alter course if a collision seems likely. If you see a red light, you must yield to the other vessel.
If you see a white light, it is safe to assume that you do not have the right of way. You are likely approaching a vessel from behind or a human-powered craft such as a canoe or kayak.
Tips for boating safely at night
Slow down
The most important safety precaution you can take when boating at night is to slow down. In the dark, visibility is significantly reduced and it becomes much more difficult to accurately judge distance. Slowing down gives you more time to react if an obstacle looms suddenly out of the darkness, so make sure to boat at a safe speed!
Have an extra lookout
The boat operator’s attention is always split between driving, keeping an eye on instruments and gauges, checking the chartplotter and looking out for obstacles. Backlight from the chartplotter and instruments can also make it more difficult to see in the dark. Therefore, it’s best to have an additional pair of eyes scanning the horizon and doing regular 360-degree checks.
Take additional precautions
Before setting out, make sure your flashlight has fresh batteries, pack some warm clothing and consider wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) with lights on them in case someone falls overboard.
Only use spotlights when docking
Unlike on a roadway, headlights won’t help you see better on dark, reflective water. Instead, save your spotlights for close quarters such as docking, when you’ll need to see specific features of the dock in order to moor your boat properly. Since distances are distorted in the dark, it’s best to approach the dock slowly and carefully to avoid hitting it or minimize the damage if you do.
Supplement your vision
We usually rely heavily on our eyes, but visibility is reduced in the dark and can be deceiving. If your navigation instruments are usually reliable, trust them to guide you, and consider tuning into your other senses, such as hearing, to detect other boats approaching.
Boat safely with Drive a Boat Canada!
There are many things that boaters need to know in order to stay safe on the water. To that end, the Canadian government now requires all operators of motorized vessels to take a safety course to obtain their boating license.
Drive a Boat Canada provides an online boating course that covers all of the boating basics, regulations and safety measures you need to know to become a competent recreational vessel operator. Get started today, and you’ll be at the helm before you know it!