Check Navigation Lights Before Departure
A dockside inspection workflow for required navigation-light configuration, visibility, power, and backups.
Identify The Required Configuration
The federal guide illustrates navigation lights for power-driven vessels, sailboats, manually propelled boats, and boats at anchor. Length and operating condition change what must be shown.
Do not treat a generic red-green-white set as the answer for every boat. Match the diagram and navigation rules to the actual vessel and activity, including restricted or special operations.
Test From Outside The Boat
Turn on the lights at the dock and walk around the vessel where practical. Confirm color, sector, mounting, and that canvas, equipment, passengers, or a raised hatch does not block the intended view.
A glowing switch does not prove the fixture works. Look at each light and inspect lenses for salt, haze, cracks, water intrusion, and corrosion.
Check The Electrical Path
Verify battery condition, fuses or breakers, wiring, and spare components appropriate to the installation. Repairs must preserve the approved light's visibility and sector rather than substituting an arbitrary household lamp.
Portable lights on small craft need secure mounting and charged batteries. Store them where they can be reached before visibility deteriorates, not beneath loaded gear.
Plan For Darkness And Reduced Visibility
A day trip can return after sunset because of delay, mechanical trouble, or changing conditions. Carry and inspect the required lights even when the schedule is intended to end early.
Navigation lights help other vessels understand your aspect and status; they do not make hazards visible or replace a proper lookout, safe speed, chart, or sound signals required by the navigation rules.