Navigation lights on a boat Types & Requirements
Navigation lights for a powerboat less than 12 meters (39,4") in length
According to the Collision regulations, an operator of a power driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length, and underway, may display, from sunset to sunrise:
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Sidelights (red – green) and
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All-round light (white).

Navigation lights for a powerboat more than 12 meters (39,4") in length
According to the Collision regulations an operator of a power driven vessel of more than 12 meters in length, and underway, may display, from sunset to sunrise:
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Masthead light (white) forward,
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Sidelights (red – green) and,
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Sternlight (white).

Navigation lights for a sailboat operating at night
The operator of a sailboat operating under sails at night shall, from sunset to sunrise, display:
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Sidelights (red - green) and
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Sternlight (white).

If less than 20 meters in length, the three lights may be combined at or near the top of the mast.

A sailing vessel may exhibit at or near the top of the mast, two all-round lights in a vertical line: the upper one red and the lower one green. These lights are shown along with the sidelights and sternlight.

For sailboats operating under motor power:
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Sidelights (red - green)
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Masthead light (white) forward,
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Sternlight (white).
Navigation lights for a vessel engaged in fishing
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Sidelights,
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Sternlight and
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All-around lights in a vertical line, the upper being red over white light. When making way through the water.

Navigation lights for a vessel engaged in trawling
A vessel when engaged in trawling, which means dragging a dredge net or other fishing apparatus through the water, shall display:
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Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white. When making way through the water,
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Sidelights and
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Sternlight.

Navigation lights for a power-driven vessel when towing
shall show sidelights, a sternlight, and a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight, and two masthead lights in a vertical line. When the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow exceeds 200 meters, three such lights in a vertical line shall be displayed.
Apart from the regular navigation lights, when a boat tows another vessel in distress or in need of assistance for any reason, shall take all possible measures to show the relation between the towed vessel and the vessel doing the towing. A vessel towing must try to shine a light on the towing cable to make it as visible as possible, so that other boats do not come into contact with the cable.
A vessel being tow shall display sidelights and sternlight.


Navigation lights for a vessel at anchor
At anchor, the operator of a pleasure craft shall display, from sunset to sunrise, in the fore part, an all-around white light. A powerboat anchored at night must display an all-around white light.

Navigation lights for kayak or canoe
Navigation lights are also required for human-powered vessels (canoe, kayak) or for a sailing pleasure craft of less than 7 meters in length not under power. When underway, the operator shall, from sunset to sunrise, display, if practical, sidelights and a stern light, but if the operator cannot, he/she must have at hand, a flashlight or lighted lantern emitting a white light which must be lit in enough time to prevent a collision.

Navigation lights for a government vessel
Any government vessel or any vessel that is owned or operated by a harbor, river, county or municipal police force may display a blue flashing light to identify itself as such, in the following cases
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When it is providing assistance in any waters to any vessel or other craft;
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When it is engaged in law enforcement duties in Canadian waters.

Navigation lights for a power-driven vessel pushing another
A power-driven vessel, when pushing another, shall display the sidelights, a sternlight, and two superimposed masthead lights.
The vessel being pushed, and not part of a composite unit, must display its sidelights at the bow. When a vessel is pushing another, if both are connected in a rigid, composite unit, they will be regarded as one unit, thus showing the appropriate lights.
Navigation lights Examples
Sailing vessel seen from starboard side

Sailing vessel seen from the front

Power-driven vessel anchored

Power-driven vessel seen from starboard side

Power-driven vessel seen from port side

Power-driven vessel seen from the stern (back)
