Boating at Night in the United States: Safety and Legal Requirements

Night boating offers unique perks: it’s calm, cool and you can enjoy a special atmosphere in the dark. And there are plenty of reasons to take to the water at night: events like parades or New Year’s celebrations, night fishing, star-gazing and parties. You could also be taking a longer trip that requires staying on board overnight. 

No matter why you are in your boat at night, you are still responsible for following all federal and state laws and regulations for safe navigation. Keep reading for an overview of how to stay safe when boating at night.

Key Takeaways

• When boating at night, you need to follow the same rules as during the day, including carrying a state-specific boating license where required. Drive A Boat USA offers safe boating courses leading to certification in California, Florida and New York.
• NASBLA boating safety equipment rules still apply at night. You need to carry: PFDs for each person on board, navigation lights, visual distress signals, sound signals, GPS, nautical charts, magnetic compass, and all relevant paperwork.
• Safe night boating also requires that you follow a few best practices. We recommend that you navigate at lower speeds, share the responsibility, file a float plan, check the weather, never drink alcohol, use extra lights with caution, and never go out alone. Take extra tools for better visibility, stay warm and bring food.

Legal requirements for night boating in the U.S.

The laws applying to boating during the day also apply at night. This means you need a USCG-approved, correctly-fitting life jacket (PFD) on board for every person. You need all the right safety equipment for your boat size and type, and you need to follow all navigational rules and signals, just as you would during the day.

Night boating safety equipment checklist

Here’s a quick list you can go down when you do a pre-departure safety check for a nighttime boating trip:

PFDs

Check that you have the right number and types of PFDs on board. Check the label to find out if the PFD you have chosen is Coast Guard approved for your activity. Remember, older life jackets are categorized according to Type (Type I, Type III, etc.). If they are in good working condition, they can still be used. Newer ones will have different labels with a buoyancy level and symbols to indicate approved use.

Boat lights at night

Almost all boats require navigation lights to operate at night, including those that may be exempt from having them on board during the day. This includes sailboats and human-powered vessels. 

You’ll need to use a combination of sidelights (red and green) and an all-round light (white). There are numerous possible combinations of these lights, so you’ll need to learn the navigation lights rules and requirements for your boat type before heading out.  

Sound signals

Sound signals are vital when you have limited visibility. You’ll need the right sound signalling device(s) for your boat size and type, you’ll need to know how to use them. Remember, at night it’s just as important for you to be identified and located by other boaters, as it is for you to be able to identify and locate them.

Visual distress signals

Visual distress signals include pyrotechnic (flares) and non-pyrotechnic signals (Electronic Visual Distress Signal Device, or eVSDS). You need to carry 3 U.S. Coast Guard-approved types of signals for night use. Some types may be approved for both day and night use. They can only be used in an emergency.

Communication equipment

Make sure you have a working VHF Marine radio and know the NATO phonetic alphabet. You never know when you may need to communicate with other boaters or contact emergency services, so be prepared.

GPS, nautical charts and compass

At night, you are still responsible for following Aids to Navigation. In limited visibility, you may be less able to rely on visual signals from physical markers, but you are still responsible for identifying hazards and following the boating right-of-way rules when crossing another vessel. 

Overall, you must still be able to navigate safely when boating at night. Make sure you have a GPS, nautical chart and magnetic compass on board every time you go out.

State-specific Boating Education Certificate

Some states require that you pass a boating safety exam and carry a Boating Education Certificate with you when operating a motorized vessel (commonly called a “boating license”). If you are planning a night-time trip in California, New York or Florida, you can get your boating certificate from Drive a Boat USA. You may even be able to use your card in another state, as it is NASBLA-approved.

8 Night boating best practices for maximum safety

In addition to following the law, there are a few additional things you can do to stay safe when you’re out on the water at night. 

1. Navigate at lower speeds

Following the legal speed limit goes without saying, but it is recommended that in poor visibility you err on the side of caution. Go as slowly as you need to in order to identify other boats, hazards in the water (which may not reflect light) and people.

2. Share the responsibility

Always make sure that at least one other person on board can operate the vessel, in case of an emergency. And choose someone to keep a lookout, as hazards are harder to spot at night.

3. File a float plan

A float plan is a simple way to tell someone on shore where you are going and when you expect to be back. This way, it is easier to track your whereabouts if there is an emergency. 

4. Check the weather

Never go out on the water without checking the weather first. And keep an eye on any changes once you’re out. This is especially important at night as signs (like storm clouds) that are easy to see coming during the day may not be visible to the naked eye at night.

5. Don’t drink alcohol

In general, you can drink while on a boat, as long as you are not operating the boat, and you are under the legal limit. However, operating a boat while intoxicated can lead to severe penalties, such as fines, jail time, suspension of boating privileges, and even seizure of the vessel. It’s also just plain dangerous. 

6. Use extra lights with caution

It may be tempting to use extra lights (such as LED lights) to decorate your boat for special events at night (above the surface and underwater). They are not illegal, as long as they do not interfere with navigation lights and general safety. Flashing lights and spotlights can be a distraction and interfere with night vision. Never use blue lights that could look like law enforcement emergency lights.

Using dim lights on your boat (to look for objects, etc.) is also recommended, as the brighter the light, the more interference with general visibility.

7. Don’t go out alone

It may be tempting to go night boating alone to capture a peaceful moment under the stars, but it’s risky. Solo boating is more dangerous, both at night and during the day, and is not recommended, even for experienced boaters.

8. Take extra tools for better visibility

Visibility is obviously the main concern when boating in the dark. You can increase your chances of noting hazards and other vessels if you use a night vision camera, or radar. However, these tools are not required by law. 

9. Stay warm and bring food

Night boating can be chilly, so bring some extra blankets and dress appropriately. It’s always a good idea to keep food and water on hand also, so you can access the fuel you need to stay alert and drive safely.

Learn about boating safety with Drive A Boat USA

Drive A Boat USA offers 100% online courses so you can get your state-specific boating license quickly and easily. Find out everything you need to know to boat legally anywhere in the U.S. with our NASBLA-approved courses. All content meets U.S. Boating Education Standards and is designed to make your next trip safe and enjoyable. Sign up to get your boating license in California, New York or Florida today!