Boating After Dark? Know The Laws For Navigation Lights In Missouri

Navigation on the water at night is a uniquely challenging experience, and having the correct lights on your boat is imperative in preventing boat accidents. It's not uncommon for boaters to get pulled over by the Missouri State Highway Patrol due to having incorrect (or missing) navigation lights.

Light requirements are designed so other boaters are able to see one another and determine the direction they are traveling, but navigation lights will not necessarily help a boater see better at night.

Missouri has a 30 mph nighttime speed limit effective 30 minutes after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Depending on visibility, it may be prudent for boaters to travel much slower than the 30 mph speed limit at night.

The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel. State law requires boat operators to display the required navigation lights between sunset and sunrise.

Generally speaking, vessels are required to:

• Display a red light on the port (left) side of the vessel and a green light displayed on the starboard (right) side. The red and green lights should be visible from at least one mile away on a dark, clear night.

• Additionally, an all-around white light must be visible from at least two miles on a dark, clear night.

Section 306.100 RSMo. provides the complete description of vessel navigation lights based on the length of the vessel. Section 306.100 RSMo. can be read in its entirety here:  https://www.moga.mo.gov/mostatutes/stathtml/30600001001.HTML

There are various combinations of lights which meet the requirements by state law. 

NOTE: It is illegal to display spotlights or docking lights continuously, but those lights may be used briefly to identify hazards in the water.