Section 250-RICR-80-00-1.11 - Navigation Lights and Day ShapesA. Applicability Every vessel, used on the waters subject to the jurisdiction of this state, and subject to these regulations, from sunset to sunrise, and other periods of reduced visibility, shall carry and exhibit the following lights while underway or at anchor, and during such time, no other lights which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be exhibited. The rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day, sunrise to sunset.
B. Visibility - The lights prescribed in these rules shall be visible at the following minimum ranges: 1. Vessels of 164.04 feet (50 meters) or more in length: a. A masthead light: 6 miles,c. A sternlight: 3 miles,d. A white, red, or green all-round light: 2 miles2. Vessels of 39.4 feet (12 meters) or more but less than 164.04 feet (50 meters) in length: a. A masthead light: 5 miles, except that where the length of the vessel is less than 65.6 feet (20 meters): 3 miles,c. A stern light: 2 miles,d. A white, red, or green all-round light: 2 miles3. Vessels of less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length: a. A masthead light: 2 miles,c. A stern light: 2 miles,d. A white, red, or green all-round light: 2 milesC. Power-Driven Vessels While Underway 1. A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit a masthead light forward, a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one, except that a vessel of less than 164.04 feet (50 meters) in length shall not be obliged to exhibit a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one but may do so. Sidelights and a stern light shall also be exhibited.2. A power driven vessel of less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in § 1.11(C)(1) of this Part exhibit an all-round white light, and sidelights.D. Sailing Vessels Underway and Manually Propelled Vessels 1. A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight.2. A sailing vessel of less than 65.6 feet (20 meters) in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in § 1.10(D)(1) of this Part, may combine the lights in § 1.11(D)(1) of this Part in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.3. A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in § 1.11(D)(1) of this Part, exhibit at or the near top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green, but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by § 1.11(D)(2) of this Part.4. A sailing vessel of less than 22.97 feet (7 meters) in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in §§ 1.11(D)(1) or (2) of this Part, but if said vessel does not, said vessel shall have, ready at hand, an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.5. A manually propelled vessel may exhibit the lights prescribed in this Part for sailing vessels, but if said vessel does not, said vessel shall have, ready at hand, an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.6. A vessel proceeding under sail, when also being propelled by machinery, shall exhibit forward, a conical shape, apex downward, where it can best be seen. A vessel less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length is not required to exhibit this shape, but may do so.7. Sailing vessels using machinery, or sail and machinery, must display lights required for power driven vessels in § 1.11(C) of this Part.E. Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground 1. Vessels at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball; and at or near the stern, and all-round white light at a lower level than the all-round white light or one ball in the fore part where it can best be seen.2. Vessels of less than 164.04 feet (50 meters) in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in § 1.11(E)(1) of this Part.3. A Vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 328.1 feet (100 meters) or more in length, shall also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.4. A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed in §§ 1.11(E)(1) or (2) of this Part and in addition, if practicable, where they can best be seen, two all-round red lights in a vertical line or three balls in a vertical line.5. Vessels of less than 22.97 feet (7 meters) in length when at anchor, not in or near a narrow channel, fairway, anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in §§ 1.11(E)(1) and (2) of this Part.6. Vessels of less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length, when aground, shall not be required to exhibit two all-round red lights in a vertical line or three balls in a vertical line as prescribed in § 1.11(E)(4) of this Part.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-80-00-1.11
Amended effective 4/2/2023