Lake Of The Ozarks Boating At Night? Here's The Speed Limit & Rules For Boat Lights

At Lake of the Ozarks, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy a nighttime boat ride: whether it's to see a fireworks show over the water, or a stargazing voyage.

But if boating in the daylight requires high levels of attentiveness and care (it does), boating at night demands obsessive levels. From the loss of depth-perception due to the darkness, to the confusion that can be caused by the myriad lights from homes and docks along the shoreline, nighttime boating is a uniquely challenging experience.

Here are four things boaters need to know, when it comes to nighttime boating.

1. Night Lights Must Be Right

Having the correct lights on your boat is imperative in helping prevent 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.

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.

2. Easy There, Speed Demon

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

Save the faster speeds for daylight. Keep it slow at night, and enjoy the ride.

3. Keep A Good Lookout, And Your Head On A Swivel

Again, a rule that should go without saying even for daytime boating, and doubly applies at night. Captains should stay alert and attentive, and an alert (and sober) first mate doubles your chances of spotting any trouble far enough ahead that you can avoid it.

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4. You Booze, Lots Of People Lose

Lake of the Ozarks is famous for its many waterfront restaurant restaurants and pool bars. Boaters should always designate a sober captain before heading out for the evening. Alcohol and nighttime boating can spell utter catastrophe. Everyone else along for the ride can help by thanking their sober captain, and even buying his or her dinner!