Port/Starboard lights

[jimthom]

I have tricolor masthead light and also port and starboard navigation sidelights. Can I legally display both sets of these the same time while under sail?
Cheers, Jim

[sailingdog]

NO.

The Tricolor is used in place of the deck level lights. In general, the Tricolor is best used off shore where you want to be seen at a greater distance. The deck level lights are better suited for coastal and in-harbor situations where visibility at shorter ranges and people will be not expecting mast-head level lights is generally the case.

[Bene505]

Originally Posted by jimthom

I have tricolor masthead light and also port and starboard navigation sidelights. Can I legally display both sets of these the same time while under sail?
Cheers, Jim

Hi Jim, good question. No you can't display them both legally. Note that anyone to your port would see "red over red" which would be telling them that you are a disabled ship!

[Cerveza]

I don't think so. Doesn't two red lights above eachother represent a boat that is not in operation or unable to manouvre?

[Bene505]

You might want to take a class like the Power Squadrons course. (See USPS Educational Department - Public Boating Education Programs) It will get you familiar with lights and other rules of the road.