USCG Policy on DIY Kayak Navigation Lights for Fishing Kayak 

That was a nice summary! I am the recreational boating safety specialist for the Coast Guard in the 8th District. This is a quick and easy article I penned covering paddle craft and the navigation rules. PADDLERS AND THE NAVIGATION RULES I want to take a moment to discuss the Navigation Rules as they apply to those of us who operate human powered craft. That runs the full gamut from canoes, to kayaks, to stand-up paddle boards to pedal craft and any other vessel that is powered by the human body. As a 33 year member of the Coast Guard, someone who has been tested on the Navigation Rules more times than I can count, a recreational boater and avid kayaker, I think I can provide a unique perspective and meaningful summary of The Rules that we most often apply as paddlers. This is a link to The Navigation Rules www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=NavRulesAmalgamated or here if you prefer the book layout complete with images: www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/navRules/COMDTINST_M16672_2D_NavRules_as_published.pdf. So what do The Rules say about human powered craft? We are "vessels under oars" in the Navigation Rules. No special mention is made of pedal drive systems under the rules, but since pedal drives don't fall into any other category of vessels, they are human powered and they look and maneuver like vessels under oars, all human powered craft are considered vessels under oars. First and foremost, vessels under oars are imbued with NO special privileges. In fact in the "Steering and Sailing" part of the rules, vessels under oars are not specifically mentioned at all. We are simply "vessels" with all the attendant responsibilities. There are essentially three different navigational situations all boaters find themselves in. Overtaking situations, head on (meeting) situations and crossing situations. Let's examine those rules and see how they apply to us paddlers in each of those situations. Overtaking (Rule 13) situations are easy. The vessel being overtaken is the most privileged vessel on the water. It is always the "stand-on" vessel and the vessel doing the overtaking is always the "give-way" vessel. Paddlers are the stand-on vessel when being overtaken. When being overtaken, we have a responsibility to maintain course and speed. We should always look over our shoulder to see if we are being overtaken before we make a substantial course change. I don't think we find ourselves doing the overtaking often. What about meeting and crossing scenarios? Vessels under oars are not specifically mentioned in the meeting and crossing rules (14 and 15) or in rule 18 where the hierarchy is established. Rules 14 and 15 apply only power driven vessels. There are hierarchal rules for all the other categories of vessels but us paddlers. All vessels are covered in Rule 2, which very generally says to use good judgement based on the whole of the situation. As slowly as we move in human powered craft, most crossing and meeting situations work themselves out well ahead of time. There's really no reason for paddlers and power boaters not to interact as power boaters do with other power boaters. In meeting situations port to port should be the standard, and in crossing situations the vessel that is to the starboard of the other should be stand-on while the other should give way to the stern of the stand-on vessel. Where paddlers (vessels under oars) are singled out under The Rules is in Rule 25 in the "Lights and Shapes" part. Rule 25 tells us that while we are underway (not anchored, made fast to the shore or aground) we can comply with The Rules in one of three ways. We can light ourselves as a sailing vessel under 7 meters in length. Sailing vessels less than 7 meters in length can use a combination light that contains red and green sidelights which display over an arc of 112.5 degrees each and a white stern light that displays over 135 degrees. Those lights may also be separate lights. The second way we can comply with the rules is to display a white light visible for 360 degrees. The third option is to have a white electric torch (flashlight) ready at hand and exhibit it in sufficient time to prevent collision. This is where things can get interesting for kayakers. Backing up to Rule 20 we find some very important language. "(b) The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out." This section of The Rules answers a lot of our "what if" or "what about" questions. If you see me paddling out before sunrise or after sunset, I will be wearing a high intensity white headlight in the off position. I will have clipped to the eye of one of my fishing rods a battery powered, steady (not flashing) white led light displaying over a 360 degree arc of visibility. How does my light configuration measure up against The Rules? The headlight is ready at hand and can be exhibited to other boats without fumbling in the dark looking for it. It also leaves my hands free for maneuvering. Whatever array you choose, examine it against The Rules. I very rarely operate at night. If I did, I'd equip my boat with red and green sidelights and a stern light as outlined in Rule 25. While we are on the subject of lights, let's discuss anchor lights. Rule 30 applies here. When at anchor we are required to display a 360 degree white light. It should be high enough that it's not obstructed by any part of our body. Rule 30 e provides some exceptions. When not in or near a narrow channel or where other vessels normally navigate we are not required to have an anchor light. There are a few other rules I want to touch on. Kayaks in channels seem to be a sore spot with motor boat operators. Kayakers can use channels. Sometimes it's the only option we have to get where we want to go. When we do, we have a few burdens. Rule 9 a directs us to keep as far right in the channel as is safe and practicable. Rule 9 b says we cannot impede the passage of a vessel that can navigate only within that channel. 9 g tells us we should avoid anchoring in a channel. 9 d notes that if we cross a channel, we must do so in a way that does not impede a vessel operating within the channel. We should cross at 90 degree angles to minimize the amount of time we are in the channel. In general, I avoid channels as much as I practically can. One of the beauties of our small, shallow draft craft is that we can go just about anywhere. For me that means getting out of congested channels. On a final note, while I have your attention I'd like to issue a word of caution. When you are paddling, be ever mindful of the fact other boat operators don't always operate with due caution. They may not be expecting to encounter paddlers. If you are near a blind bend or a waterway intersection where you are obscured by vegetation or anything else, you are especially vulnerable to oncoming motor boat operators who aren't prepared to react in time as required by Rule 6. On open water, particularly if we wear bright colors, we are easy for an alert mariner to see and avoid. We are at our most vulnerable when we may be obscured from fast moving oncoming traffic.

Great video. Thanks for helping bring to "light" the USCG lighting issues we previously discussed. These changes sound much more reasonable and better clarified. Now folks likely won't have to worry about misinterpretation ruining their outing.

I appreciate videos like this where you get concise, legitimate information. Thanks

Thank you for the information, I'm a novice to kayaking, and I'm really in diapers when it comes to anything related to kayak so your input has a great value to me, and believe me at 56 I'm not looking forward to being stopped the coast guard and pay a fine. Semper Fi

Very clear and concise! i have no questions as to what the requirements are and how we may achieve them! thank you!!!

Thanks for doing all the legwork for all of us guys! Very helpful gouge and I am glad that I have been legitimized with my current lantern on the pole set up. You are a scholar and a gentleman.

Thank you for the information...i just bought my new kayak and I want to follow the rules and regulations and to see what is more safe to use instead taking chances of DIY gear...two thumbs up for you...

Thanks for info. We occasionally fish at night on lakes. The lakes we are on do not allow for gas powered boats, so much safer, but I have been anchored on a dark night and had to wave someone off with a flashlight. I was at fault for not having lights. I am going to add some lights to kayak for such occasions

thanks brother, good looking out.. safety first.

tell me this guy does not sound like Hank hill.

Thank you for your time and effort in bringing vital information to the community.

Thank you for your diligence and research. I've been using manufactured lights clamped to my 10' kayak when moored fishing on inland river/lake waters in MO. I need to adjust my "White" light pole for height. I will also start carrying a bigger lantern stowed for JIC holy crap moments on Lake of the Ozarks (nuff said). Great video!

I chucked at, "I've painted to many walls to be white."

I sea kayak pretty often. I carry an "approved" buoyant strobe to meet the night time signaling requirements. It's heavy and bulky compared to flares, but I prefer it to trying to strike a flare while underway. I've also found flares to be much less reliable even before they expire. Now I'm building a 19 foot trimaran with a sail, so all of my "under 6 meter" lighting no longer applies. :( Thanks for doing the research and the video. The bottom line is about safety. We don't want to get run over by a powerboat at night, and powerboat owners don't want to have to touch up their gelcoat after the mystery thump.

Thank you so much for everything you do. I enjoy your videos. And more importantly I enjoy your dedication to kayaking, fishing and DIY. I have learned a lot. I have no doubt you will continue to instruct me and encourage me. Thanks again.

I haven't heard anything about the red and green lights actually serving the purpose for passing indicators. For example, if you see a vessel in front of you DO NOT pass them on the side where the RED light is displayed. ALWAYS pass a vessel (if you must) on the side where the GREEN light is visible.

Excellent video and legal descriptions.

My kayak has been Certified CG Approved for 9 years and not once was I ever told by the officer conducting the check that I needed any other lights than my 360 light. My headlamp sufficed. I kayak fish the rivers, bay, and the ocean of Southeast VA coastal waters. I've been kayaking for about 20 years.

Wow!! there's a lot to this, thanks for all your research on this matter!!!

Thanks for the update. Greatly appreciate it.

Per Tn rules. Nighttime Navigation Be on the lookout for the lights of other vessels when boating at night. Several types of lights serve as navigational aids at night. There are four common navigation lights. Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on. The red light indicates a vessel's port (left) side; the green indicates a vessel's starboard (right) side. Sternlight: This white light is seen from behind or nearly behind the vessel. Masthead Light: This white light shines forward and to both sides and is required on all power-driven vessels. A masthead light must be displayed by all vessels when under engine power. The absence of this light indicates a sailboat under sail. All-Round White Light: On power-driven vessels less than 39.4 feet in length, this light may be used to combine a masthead light and sternlight into a single white light that can be seen by other vessels from any direction. This light serves as an anchor light when sidelights are extinguished.

Very well done. Your explanation clarified some of my questions.

Thanks for the update and work put into the subject!

A lot of the DIY ones are indeed legal if they meet the height requirements, I just bought a USCG certified 360 white light from Atwood and all it has is a standard 12 watt #1004 bulb and that is visible from 2 miles, it takes very little white light to be seen from 2 miles away...

Personal watercraft in Ca are not allowed on inland waters during darkness if they are under 13 ft. Kayaks, SUPs, included

On my Hobie Kayak, have a red/green GuardianAngel LEDs up front and a super bright 360 automotive LED bulb a meter tall pvc pole in the back.

Just getting into kayaking. Glad I found your channel. Thanks for all the info. Going to be very useful as I continue to modify my kayak.

thanks for stating the lumen limit! i have been looking hard to find that!! could not, only found "must be seen up to 2 miles"

Thanks for the info. I really doubt if your lantern on a pole will work well after it takes a dip into salt water. Most Coast Guard "approved" lighting is waterproof. 52 lumen qualification depends greatly if it had a focused reflector behind the bulb. In the case of a 360 light, there will be no reflector. You can try this out yourself on land. Set up your lantern on an elevated stretch of highway and then drive away. I would be curious if it could be seen a mile away. Thanks again.

Thank u for this.. I'm new to kayaking and been looking at mods but also c.g. safety laws and rule for inshore and out shore law.. white light for the front and red and green for the rear.. glad I saw this video helps me mods my 100000k light 360 beam light and my l.e.d. light like a fishing boat.. thanks again for this video I'll be in violation and Cynthia will have to cite to me (geico ) question do we need insurance for kayaks? Have my flares gun with my vest and my whistle and can of air horn. I dont go where boat travel because again this new to me February 20 was my first go at this..

Thanks for the video. I got to do more checking but I think my state (Wv) requires a red and green light at the bow also.

Great info! Thanks

Thank you for the info. Please keep up the good work.

As always, great information. I really appreciate you and your channel because of your dedication to making kayaking and kayak fishing easier. I always recommend your channel to my fishing buddies, wether they kayak or not. Do you have any recommendations on lumens of led bulbs that will make us compliant with the CG?

we were told that for 2017 canoes and kayaks need a white all around and red/green navigation lights, at least here in florida

Most modern solar lights you put in your yard are well over the luminous recommendation you said is needed to see up to 2 miles and last 8 to 12 hours and cost you under $5

These rules are same same for Western Australia. Common sense really. Just a global standard. No need to spend time and money on colored LEDs for port and starboard. Also helps distinguish very small water craft from larger powered craft. Nice video.

Thanks for what you do.; got a new subscriber.

I can completely relate to asking the wife to identify white light. If it wasn't for my wife, I wouldn't know there were so many variations of it. Hahahaha

Sorry if I missed this, but did the coast guard document this re-interpretation of rue 25 and 30 anywhere. Because this is still causing umpteen arguments amongst kayakers.

In essence, there are no rules for lights on kayaks beyond making yourself visible. A flashlight will do. Beyond that, since you're the smallest on the water, there are no navigation concerns. You have to get out of the way of everything. Of course, that means no fishing in the navigation channels. Good idea for inland waters as well. If a larger, faster, boat can go there, it's not a good place for you.

Is there any guidelines for how high the light should be from the deck of the kayak?

very informative. thank you.

so the led marker lights I. red and green are now ok to add and the led light pole is ok to make from what I understand

These sound like ocean rules. What are the lake and reservoir rules? For us inland kayak fisherman?

Very helpful, thank-you

I swear i expect this guy to say "damnit bobby" or "propane and propane accessories"

Great video, but I'm keeping the strobe. I'm not buying and throwing out flares every year. By now I think my strobe has paid for itself.

"If you can't identify a white light, get a girl"... Horked coffee out my nose on that one.

What is the best legal way to have headlights on a yak to see where you are going? Cause white is not supposed to be on the bow

Thanks Steve.

Steve, how do the navigation lighting requirements change, if at all, when you mount an electric trolling motor on your kayak?

Would a bow mounted "head light" be prohibited?

Great info! Can you please provide the link to the 360 degree white light you had suggested in your earlier article? I'd still like to mount this light for safety reasons when fishing at night. Thanks.

thanks for letting me know.

great article !!!!!!

Great vid, btw anyone ever tell you that you bear a striking resemblance to Hank Hill.

face-green-smilingTHANK YOU, VERY MUCH, STEVE! FYI: I WANT TO INSTALL SOME LED STRIP LIGHTS (OUTBOARD BELOW THE GUNWALES, ON MY CANOE, FOR NAVIGATION, AND, ADD SEVERAL FEET OF COLORED REFLECTIVE TAPE, TOO, INCASE MY LIGHTS FAIL,face-pink-tears I'D AT LEAST HAVE THE REFLECTOR TAPE ADJACENT. trophy-yellow-smiling I WILL LIKELY ALSO, ADD SOME INBOARD LIGHTS, ( waterproof, dimmable, 12VDC, LED "strip lights")TO ILLUMINATE THE INTERIOR OF THE BOAT, IF EVER NEEDED, (SOME RED, SOME "YELLOW"("WARM WHITE"?= "bug lights"?), TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT'S INBOARD, AND, TO USE WHILE READING MAPS, OR, DIGGING FOR TACKLE, OR GEAR,...TYING KNOTS, ETC,.face-blue-smiling I MAY ADD A SWIVEL MOUNTED "FLOOD/SPOT" LIGHT, ON EACH END, AND, ON EACH SIDE, AMIDSHIP, TO BE ABLE TO SEARCH THE WATERS NEARBY, WHILE LOOKING OUT FOR ROCKS, OBSTACLES, WEEDS, WILDLIFE, ETC.face-red-heart-shape

Thank you! Great video!

So are the red/green LED strip navigation lights (such as the ones from Bluewater) illegal, or just unnecessary with an unpowered watercraft?

Great video. Thanks... Q: Can reflector tape hurt fishing chances? I placed a bunch on my kayak due to some of the places I fish or might... Inshore and lakes close to SA, TX. It also helps being seen when in the back of the truck. Thoughts?

I have 5 ft of RGB LED strip lights running on both sides staring at the bow. Does 8 colors, very bright! I use Velcro so I can remove it during transport. Also use a small AA powered nav light. (red/green)

can you explain what 'under way' means?

Where to mount it now Stearns middle.

Do we still need green and red light

so is it legal to put a headlight on your kayak?

you said underway. Is that after sundown or do all kayaks day and light have to have lights?

If I own an inflatable kayak from lets say Advance Element, Where can you mount it? Or how to rig one up?

Great video thanks for the info.

So my blue deck lights are illegal?

Thank u sr good lesson

Do the lights need to be waterproof or immersion proof? I see nowhere mentioned that an orange flag should also be used in the daytime.

is there a hight requirement for the light? does it need to be so far above the water or my head?

Can I use a See Me Life Jacket light glued to a PVC pole? It states two mile visibility. Sorry if this is a dumb question. I'm trying to save $$.

Can I kayak at night without any lights on?

i know this might seem kind of simple but, i cannot figure out a hack to cut bait (bloodworms) on my yak without making a mess. any awesome ideas?

Is this only for ocean kayaking or all around?

Is that a WALMART LANTERN? IM A BIT SURPRISED; flags aren’t required. And by the way; this is for night time Use right?

Does this also apply to Inland waters? Where would I find my states regulations for it?

Question, is this rule change written down anywhere so the occasional costy who hasn't heard of it can be shown to avoid a ticket?

I just uploaded a video of my diy kayak light . And the other day I was at the ramp and the coast guard patrol ask me to move to the other side of it .so they can pull towing boat . And they didn't say anything about my light. So I guess it's okay

Any new updates?

More kayak "on the water" tips at: ru-vid.com/group/PL8egn41J7Go-UFQNfAZBiWZBXiLJuIDOM

Great info

great video

Same exactly here port police give me 2 miles from shore .and lights

Great followup. When in the salt, I'm always paddling marshes and bays that are not controlled by the USCG. I live in Texas, here's the safety regulations for boating (power, sail, manual): tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/safety/vessel_requirements/

All you need is a white light on a pole thats Visible 360°

Steave ...You enlightened me with this video. What can I say... You are a kayak fishing beacon!!! I am just the anchor so far...deep at the bottom. LOL.

this is useful

That lantern so poor an idea. Find a waterproof one.

When you are in the middle of the lake and your in the position of not being seen and you have a lot boaters and they are not able to see you there a problem I would never suggest that you cheeping so important I don’t take any chances of not being seen by the other boat solar lights don’t last that long and the last thing I want is to be killed because I’m being too cheap😢please don’t do that to your family and spend the money on a good boat navigation system

Just spend the cash and buy USCG approved gear.

good grief. 🤔😕

Great info! Can you please provide the link to the 360 degree white light you had suggested in your earlier article? I'd still like to mount this light for safety reasons when fishing at night. Thanks.