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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-vds-under-16-night

On coastal waters, a boat under 16 feet must carry which visual distress signals?

Night signals, when out between sunset and sunrise.

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  1. Day signals only
  2. None at any time
  3. Night signals, from sunset to sunrise ✔

Why: Boats 16 feet and longer on coastal waters need day and night signals. Boats under 16 feet only need night signals, and only when used between sunset and sunrise.

Huh, didn't know that: Manually propelled boats and open sailboats under 26 feet without engines follow the same night-only rule.

The dad joke
Why did the little boat pack a flare? It wanted to light up the night.
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References

Answer: Night signals, from sunset to sunrise. Boats 16 feet and longer on coastal waters need day and night signals. Boats under 16 feet only need night signals, and only when used between sunset and sunrise.

  1. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Basic Boating Knowledge Core Plus Power technical report higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
    Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use a boat less than 16 feet in length unless visual distress signals suitable for night use
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterYou spot orange smoke billowing from a boat. What does it mean?Boating & WaterA white strobe flashing 50 to 70 times a minute is a distress signal. Does it meet the visual distress signal carriage rule?Boating & WaterWith no radio or flares, what body signal is an official sign of distress on the water?

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