Some Final Thoughts

A boat's running lights tell much about the night time operation of a vessel. For example it can indicate if the vessel is a sail boat or power boat, if you’re looking at its starboard or port side, or if its coming or going. For larger boats, lights can indicate certain commercial maneuvers such as if a vessel is tugging or pushing a barge, if it’s engaged in commercial fishing or dredging, or if it is aground or at anchor. Recognition and maintenance of these lights is paramount to everyone's safety on the water.

For as much as running lights can tell you about a boat and its operation, there's much that can't be gleaned from a passing glance. For example, it is often difficult to determine the true direction and range of another boat. When operating at night, the same Navigation Rules apply as well as the Coast Guard requirement for maintaining a proper look out and operating at a safe speed. Taking bearing readings on other objects and vessels is also important and could mean the difference between a near miss and a safe passage.

Your eyes need anywhere from 12 to 40 minutes to fully adapt to the dark after exposure to bright light. Boating at night requires preparation, focus and concentration. Here are some additional tips to make your nighttime outing a safe one.

Goes Without Saying:

• Maintain a proper lookout
• Reduce your speed at night
• Follow the Rules of the Road
• Always wear a properly fitted PFD
• Get well rested before nighttime operation
• Let your eyes adjust properly to the conditions
• Never consume alcohol prior or during operation
• Extinguish other lights that might contribute to night blindness

Tips to Reduce Onboard Glare:
Night time blindness is sometimes caused by the operator's own vessel. Your boat should be set up so that on board lighting does not interfere with safe nighttime operation.

• If you have any doubt, be certain your light fixtures are mounted properly per Coast Guard requirements. For example, an all 'round white light should be 1 meter higher than the red and green fixture.
• An all 'round white light is often mounted on a pole to meet the requirement above. For most runabouts, a removable pole mounted light ranges from 4" to over 4'.
• Stern lights should not "spill" or allow stray light into the cockpit. However, an aftermarket glare shield resembling a pie-plate placed underneath an all ‘round white light can greatly reduce on board glare.
• Light fixtures should also be mounted such that chrome grab rails, cleats and other shiny surfaces don't reflect light back into the operator's eyes. A temporary fix is to place black electrical tape on shiny surfaces to prevent reflection.
• Check to see if lighted instruments and electronic navigation equipment can be dimmed. Our GPS Chartplotter had a nighttime display mode that cut glare by over 50% when measured by a light meter.