Navigation Lights

Our Navigation Lights range covers the compliant lighting required to identify your vessel and its heading to other boats after dark – bow, stern and all-round lights in standard and LED formats for power and sailing vessels.

Which combination of lights you need depends on your boat’s length and type (power or sail) – check the current requirement for your specific vessel rather than assuming what was fitted originally is still correct, since older boats sometimes carry an outdated or incomplete set. Visibility range and arc are what actually matter for compliance, not just having a light fitted – a light rated for the wrong distance or with an obstructed arc doesn’t meet the requirement even if it’s switched on and working. LED navigation lights (see our LED Navigation Lights subcategory) draw a fraction of the current of standard incandescent bulbs, which matters if you’re running lights off a limited battery bank rather than shore power, and last considerably longer in a damp marine environment.

Test all navigation lights before any night passage, not just at the start of the season, since a single failed bulb changes your boat’s signature to other vessels in a way that matters for safety.

Frequently asked questions

What navigation lights does my boat need?

It depends on your boat’s length and type (power or sail) – check the current requirement for your specific vessel rather than assuming an older fitted set is still correct.

Are LED navigation lights as good as standard bulbs for compliance?

Yes, provided the specific fitting meets the required visibility range and arc for your boat’s length – check the rating, not just that it’s LED.

How often should I test my navigation lights?

Before every night passage, not just once a season – a single failed bulb changes how your boat is identified by other vessels after dark.