[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 33, Volume 1]

[Revised as of July 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 33CFR84.03]



[Page 213-214]

 

                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

 

         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

 

PART 84_ANNEX I: POSITIONING AND TECHNICAL DETAILS OF LIGHTS AND SHAPES

--Table of Contents

 

Sec. 84.03  Vertical positioning and spacing of lights.



    (a) On a power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more in length the 

masthead lights shall be placed as follows:

    (1) The forward masthead light, or if only one masthead light is 

carried, then that light, at a height above the hull of not less than 5 

meters, and, if the breadth of the vessel exceeds 5 meters, then at a 

height above the hull not less than such breadth, so however that the 

light need not be placed at a greater height above the hull than 8 

meters;

    (2) When two masthead lights are carried the after one shall be at 

least 2 meters vertically higher than the forward one.

    (b) The vertical separation of the masthead lights of power-driven 

vessels shall be such that in all normal conditions of trim the after 

light will be seen over and separate from the forward light at a 

distance of 1000 meters from the stem when viewed from water level.

    (c) The masthead light of a power-driven vessel of 12 meters but 

less than 20 meters in length shall be placed at a height above the 

gunwale of not less than 2.5 meters.

    (d) The masthead light, or the all-round light described in Rule 

23(c), of a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall 

be carried at least one meter higher than the sidelights.

    (e) One of the two or three masthead lights prescribed for a power-

driven vessel when engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall be 

placed in the same position as either the forward masthead light or the 

after masthead light, provided that the lowest after masthead light 

shall be at least 2 meters vertically higher than the highest forward 

masthead light.

    (f)(1) The masthead light or lights prescribed in Rule 23(a) shall 

be so placed as to be above and clear of all



[[Page 214]]



other lights and obstructions except as described in paragraph (f)(2) of 

this section.

    (2) When it is impracticable to carry the all-round lights 

prescribed in Rule 27(b)(i) below the masthead lights, they may be 

carried above the after masthead light(s) or vertically in between the 

forward masthead light(s) and after masthead light(s), provided that in 

the latter case the requirement of Sec. 84.05(d) shall be complied 

with.

    (g) The sidelights of a power-driven vessel shall be placed at least 

one meter lower than the forward masthead light. They shall not be so 

low as to be interfered with by deck lights.

    (h) [Reserved]

    (i) When the Rules prescribe two or three lights to be carried in a 

vertical line, they shall be spaced as follows:

    (1) On a vessel of 20 meters in length or more such lights shall be 

spaced not less than 1 meter apart, and the lowest of these lights 

shall, except where a towing light is required, be placed at a height of 

not less than 4 meters above the hull;

    (2) On a vessel of less than 20 meters in length such lights shall 

be spaced not less than 1 meter apart and the lowest of these lights 

shall, except where a towing light is required, be placed at a height of 

not less than 2 meters above the gunwale;

    (3) When three lights are carried they shall be equally spaced.

    (j) The lower of the two all-round lights prescribed for a vessel 

when engaged in fishing shall be a height above the sidelights not less 

than twice the distance between the two vertical lights.

    (k) The forward anchor light prescribed in Rule 30(a)(i), when two 

are carried, shall not be less than 4.5 meters above the after one. On a 

vessel of 50 meters or more in length this forward anchor light shall be 

placed at a height or not less than 6 meters above the hull.



[CGD 81-008, 46 FR 62447, Dec. 24, 1981, as amended by CGD 89-024, 55 FR 

3947, Feb. 6, 1990]