Don’t we just love our boats?

It’s probably why we give them such hilarious names, like “Marine Monroe” and “Boaty McShipface.”

It goes without saying that you want to keep “McShipface” safe, and navigational boat lights are the way to go. These lights are the fastest way to signal your position to other vessels up to six nautical miles away and avoid catastrophe.

We’ve gathered more practical reasons for buying navigational boat lights, including federal regulations and vessel identification. As we delve into each idea, you’ll also learn:

• How navigational lights prevent collisions
• How navigational lights help identify your vessel
• What an IP67 rating is and its importance
• Why it’s essential to consider your wattage
• Where to find exceptional navigational boat lights

1 - To Prevent Collisions in Low-Visibility Conditions

Out on a nighttime cruise? Catching a glimpse of the first blush atop your deck? Then you’re going to need a set of navigational boat lights to signal other boats and avoid turning that special moment on its head.

Under low-visibility conditions, such as during early morning fog or nighttime rain, navigational lights are the quickest and most effective way of signaling other vessels and avoiding collisions.

The system features a combination of red, green, and white lights to convey various details about your craft’s position and size as the table below indicates.

2 - To Meet Legal Requirements

The Code of Federal Regulations requires your vessel to show navigation from sunset to sunrise, regardless of weather conditions.

These regulations serve to help identify your boat, which is why light visibility specifications are stipulated according to your vessel’s proportions and type.

The table below highlights the visibility requirements for various boat sizes.

To identify your vessel’s design, federal regulations require various light combinations for different boat types.

• Air-cushion vessels must display an additional all-round flashing yellow light.

• Towing vessels must display tow lights and two masthead lights in a vertical line if the tow length is less than 200 meters and three masthead lights for tow lengths greater than 200 meters.

  The towing length measures from the stern of the towing vessel to the aft end of the towed craft.

• Purse seiners have to display two yellow lights in a vertical line with each light flashing alternatively in equal duration.
• Trawlers must exhibit two all-round lights with the upper being green and the lower being white. They must also show a forward-facing masthead light that’s higher than the all-round green and white lights.
• Non-trawling fishing vessels must display two all-round lights (the upper being red and the lower being white), sidelights, and a stern light.

3 - To Inform Other Boats of Your Status

Alerting other vessels of your boat’s status is another safety-enhancing measure and practical reason to buy navigation boat lights.

Picture your boat anchored at sea with you and your best pals out on a dive. A set of navigational boat lights is enough to instantly warn other boats that your vessel is unmanned, and that there are divers within its proximity (like a road sign).

This information compels other vessels to take extra precaution while navigating around you, ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

Federal regulations recognize this vital need and so stipulate various light combinations for different boating activities.

Trawlers, for instance, have a sequence of lighting protocols to follow for each step of the trawling process.

• When casting their nets, trawlers must display two white lights in a vertical line.
• When hauling their nets, trawlers must display a white light over a red light and in a vertical line.
• When their net is obstructed, trawlers must exhibit two red lights in a vertical line.

This information helps other vessels be mindful of the trawling boat. The lights also direct other boats away from casted nets or obstructions, ensuring safety.

Now, think of a vessel that’s unable to move or one that can’t easily deviate from its path. Federal regulations realize the hazard posed by such boats and require three all-round lights in a vertical line to warn other vessels.

The highest and lowest of the all-round lights should be red, while the middle one should be white.

Factors to Consider When Buying Navigational Lights

Durability

Consider the stressful nature of a typical maritime environment: Strong winds, torrential rain, intense sunlight, and dust.

Will your set of navigational lights cope?

A high-quality boat light must tolerate these conditions if it’s going to offer you lengthy service between replacements.

The Hella Marine LED Masthead Lamp, for instance, features an IP67 rating for durability. This means complete ingress protection from:

• Water and dust penetration
• High-pressure immersions to depths of up to 3.2 feet
• Impact of objects with a diameter greater than 1 mm, such as wires and small tools

Your Energy Consumption

Energy consumption is an essential consideration for navigational boat lights. It helps you limit your daily energy requirements relative to your boat’s battery capacity, preventing power loss.

Limiting your energy consumption creates surplus power for emergencies. This means your safety-enhancing navigation lights will stay on even if the engine is unable to run and recharge your batteries.

This Deck Mount LED Navigation Kit available at Apex Lighting, for example, consumes 2 watts of energy for both lamps. That’s less energy than a 22-inch 17-watt TV, which is a comfortable load for any solar setup.

Get Your Navigational Boat Lights From Apex Lighting

So, there are three practical reasons to buy navigational boat lights.

With these ideas in mind, why not check out the huge collection of exceptional LED Navigation Lights on Apex Lighting?

Whether you’re looking to customize your favorite watercraft, or light up your dock and the faces that come upon it, Apex Lighting has something for you.

Apex Lighting focuses on developing long-standing relationships, which explains their comprehensive commitment to outstanding service quality. They ensure the highest-quality products for the clients delivered at the greatest convenience.

“Apex Lighting is a first-class operation. From their great products and informative staff, you can't ask for better … I recommend Apex for all your lighting needs.”
-  Chad Hodder, Verified Happy Apex Client

Contact Apex Lighting today to learn more about how their lighting solutions can transform your boating experience.