Name:   Capt M Brooks - 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.