Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Cpt Brooks -- Under Deck Pontoon Lights
Date:	4/21/2014 11:44:12 PM (updated 4/21/2014 11:45:41 PM)

Legal or illegal to run the blue under deck LED lights on pontoons  while underway?

And also what about when anchored or just floating on the lake with anchor and navigation lights on?

Was wondering as have seen several toons with such on while underway.

Thanks

Name:	Capt M Brooks -	Reply
Subject:	Cpt Brooks -- Under Deck Pontoon Lights
Date:	4/22/2014 3:13:52 PM

I wish there was a simple answer to give you, but this new trend is not specifically addressed by current statutes other than the following: no vessel other than a law enforcement vessel may display any blue light in an oscillating, flashing or rotating pattern. Navigation lights (the red and green lights or what are commonly called bow lights) must be screened so that they are visible in a 225-degree arc (112.5 degrees on each side). The red and green navigation lights and the all-around white light (or stern light) must be visible for two miles. Over the past couple of years we have stopped vessels because the LED lights drowned out or prevented the required navigation lights from being seen. In one case the individuals had basically replaced their red and green navigation lights with red and green LED tube lights that extended along the entire length of the hull - the result being that from behind you could see all three lights, which is supposed to be what you see when a vessel is approaching you from dead ahead. Some people also thought that the LED lights (in this case blue tube lights along both sides) were a replacement for their navigation lights.

I can tell you that in a congested area at night having them on when underway can create confusion. The purpose of the red and green lights are to give a vessel's direction and to indicate right of way - the LED lights are so bright that they make it difficult to do so at times. For that reason we recommend that only the required navigation lights be displayed when underway.

To summarize:

1. Blue lights (or other LED lights) can be displayed while underway or while stationary as long as they don't block your regular navigation lights and don't rotate, flash or oscillate (strobing is the same as flashing in this case).

2. LED accent lighting does not relieve a vessel operator of the responsibility for displaying the required navigation lights.

I look for this to be an issue that the Coast Guard will weigh in on in the near future. Unfortunately, a lot of decisions made regarding regulations and laws are done so with data provided from accidents. Hopefully, this will be preventive and not reactive in nature.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Cpt Brooks -- Another qusetion
Date:	4/22/2014 4:19:13 PM

I just ordered a 2 person Hobie kayak that can be powered by peddals, paddles, and/or a sail. What are the registration requirments (if any) for this type of vessel? Thanks.

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Cpt Brooks -- Under Deck Pontoon Lights
Date:	4/22/2014 10:06:18 PM

Thank you and as always we appreciate what you gentlemen do to keep the lake safe.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Cpt Brooks -- Under Deck Pontoon Lights
Date:	4/22/2014 10:45:45 PM

Ditto, thanks for your service.

Name:	Capt M Brooks -	Reply
Subject:	Cpt Brooks -- Another qusetion
Date:	4/22/2014 11:26:28 PM

Sailboats and mechanically-propelled vessels are required to be registered. I also would recommend registering it as a sailboat so that a record of it will be in the system should it be stolen, float away during a storm, etc.