Section 30. Visibility of lights  


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  • The lights prescribed in this chapter shall have an intensity as specified by the U.S. Coast Guard, so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:

    1. In a vessel of 164 feet (50 meters) or more in length: a masthead light, 6 miles; a sidelight, 3 miles; a sternlight, 3 miles; a towing light, 3 miles; a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 3 miles; and a special flashing light, 2 miles.

    2. In a vessel of 39.4 feet (12 meters) or more in length but less than 164 feet (50 meters) in length: a masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 65.6 feet (20 meters), 3 miles; a sidelight, 2 miles; a sternlight, 2 miles; a towing light, 2 miles; a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles; and a special flashing light, 2 miles.

    3. In a vessel of less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) in length: a masthead light, 2 miles; a sidelight, 1 mile; a sternlight, 2 miles; a towing light, 2 miles; a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles; and a special flashing light, 2 miles.

    4. In an inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object being towed: a white all-round light, 3 miles.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 19, Issue 05, eff. January 1, 2003.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-501, 29.1-502, 29.1-701, and 29.1-735 of the Code of Virginia.