Stern Lights
noun
Definition of Stern Lights
A stern light is a white light displayed on the rear of the boat that’s visible only from behind the vessel. The light is required by law and must be installed on all boats to enhance the safety of mariners.
According to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations, stern lights:
- Must be visible across 135 degrees to the rear of the boat
- Must be visible from two nautical miles away
- Should be mounted at least one meter above the green and red sidelights
This white light should also be operated at night and in low visibility conditions, such as fog or rain.
Stern lights are powered by the boat’s electrical system. As such, it’s important to purchase energy-efficient lights so as to ensure they don’t use up too much of your boat's power.
The ultra-durable, power saving LED lights from Apex Lighting use less than 10% of the power needed to operate a navigation lamp of the same visible distance. As a result, port and stern lights consume less than 2 watts combined.
Get the Vertical LED Stern Lamp that’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), COLREG and USCG-certified from our online store.
“The stern light from Hella is exactly the top quality one would expect.” — Jeffery D. Verified Buyer
Example of Stern Lights in a Sentence
"The boat's stern light was clearly visible from two miles, providing a clear indication of the vessel's location."
Synonyms: aft light, overtaking light
Related Terms for Stern Light