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Hunter 18 • Boating Safety

4.13

to open.

Other helpful publications available from the U. S. Coast
Guard include “Aids to Navigation”  (U.S.  Coast  Guard
pamphlet  #123), which explains the significance of
various lights and buoys, the “Boating Safety Training
Manual”, and “Federal Requirements for Recreational
Boats”. Check with your local Coast Guard Station, your
new  dealer, or a local marina about navigational  aids
unique to your area.

4.5.3 Running and Navigation Lights

Your boat is designed as a "day sailor" and therefore is
not provided with running and navigation lights for safe
operation after dark. Always use common sense and
good judgment.

The following is presented for reference only since
your boat is not designed to be used after dark

Operating at night can present some special challenges.
Not only is your depth perception lessened, bright lights
on the shore can cast misleading reflections on the water
and if you wear glasses, or worse yet, bifocals, you sim-
ply don’t see as well at night as you do during the day.
It is not only important that you be able to identify other
vessels operating in your proximity, it is equally important
that other vessels see you. Most recreational vessels are
less than 30 feet in length and, according to “The Rules
of the Road”, shall be equipped with navigation lights.
These lights not only have a certain arc through which
they can be seen but must be seen from a minimum dis-
tance. Table 1, on page 4.14 will show you the following
lighting requirements for recreational vessels both less
than 12 meters in length (approximately 39.4”), and over
12 meters in length to 20 meters (65')

Light

Arc

Color

Visible
Range

Masthead
Light

225

Wht

Starboard

112.5

Grn

Port
Sidelight

112.5

Red

Sternlight

135

Wht

The arc of the lights and color allows you to determine the
direction a vessel is moving. How good are your lights?
You should test them to see how visible you might be
at night. Whether on a trailer or at the marina, switch
on your lights and see how well they can be seen. Walk

away from the boat or row away, if you are at anchor or
at a mooring, and see how visible the lights are as you
move further away. How easy are they to see against the
background of lights on shore?

You should always check that your masthead light disap-
pears at the same time each sidelight disappears and
they both disappear when the stern light appears.

Check your sidelights from dead ahead. You should see
both red and green. However, by moving toward one side
by 1-3 degrees, you should then see only one light. If you
still see two lights, an approaching vessel won’t be able
to tell which direction you are going.

When boating at night, remember the following: “When
two lights you see ahead, turn your helm and show your
red.”

4.5.4 Sound Signaling Device

Your boat is provided with a horn which conforms with
U.S. Coast Guard requirements for boats of this size. All
class A boats are recommended to carry a hand, mouth,
or whistle, as well as a power operated horn. The device
should be used to promote safe passing, as well as a
warning to other vessels in fog, or confined areas, or as
a signal to operators of locks or drawbridges. Following
are standard whistle signals:

One Prolonged Blast

Warning Signal

One Short Blast

Pass on my port side

Two Short Blasts

Pass on my starboard side

Three Short Blasts

Engines in Reverse

Five or More Blasts

Danger Signal