Lights.
1. Every motorboat in all weathers from sunset to sunrise, as established by the Nautical Almanac Office, United States Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C., must carry and exhibit the following lights when underway, and during that time other lights which may be mistaken for those prescribed must not be exhibited:
(a) Every motorboat of classes A and 1 must carry the following lights:
(1) A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon.
(2) A combined lantern in the forepart of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on their respective sides.
(b) Every motorboat of classes 2 and 3 must carry the following lights:
(1) A bright white light in the forepart of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the vessel, from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on either side.
(2) A bright white light aft to show 12 points.
(3) On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side. The side lights must be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.
(c) Vessels of classes A and 1 when propelled by sail alone must carry the combined lantern in the forepart of the vessel and a white 12-point stern light. Vessels of classes 2 and 3, when so propelled, must carry the colored side lights, fitted so as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow and a white 12-point stern light.
2. Every white light prescribed by this section must be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles. Every colored light prescribed by this section must be visible at a distance of at least 1 mile. As used in this subsection, “visible” means visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.
3. When propelled by sail and machinery a vessel must carry the lights required by this section for a motorboat propelled by machinery only.
4. Manually propelled vessels of classes A and 1 must have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which must be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
5. Any vessel may carry and exhibit the lights required by the Inland Navigational Rules, 34 U.S.C. §§ 2001 et seq., in lieu of the lights required by this section.
6. Except for vessels anchored or moored in an area designated by the Commission as an anchoring or mooring area pursuant to the provisions of NRS 488.265, every vessel, whether propelled by sail or machinery, when anchored or moored between sunset and sunrise where other vessels may navigate must display a white light clearly visible in all directions.
7. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, it is unlawful for a person to display a flashing blue light or a flashing red light on a vessel operating on the waters of this state. A vessel of the United States, this state or its political subdivisions or a bordering state under interstate compact may display a flashing blue light when operated by a peace officer engaged in law enforcement activities. A peace officer shall seize, or cause to be seized, a flashing red or blue light installed or operated in violation of this subsection.
Last modified: February 25, 2006