Docking lights - from KDFWR - Surprise!!!

[the_donger]

I contacted KY Fish and Game about the running with the docking lights on problem that we have been discussing as of late. I asked her if running with them on was legal or illegal, and if illegal, the KRS statue that would specifically apply to this situation. The following is a cut and paste of the email that Annette Bruce sent me:



Since some of the lake areas are possibly rocky or it can get very dark on the lakes, it is legal to drive with the docking lights on, unless there is a sign posted.





Annette Bruce

Supervisor - Information Resources

Ky. Dept. Fish & Wildlife Headquarters

#1 Sportsman's Ln.

Frankfort, KY 40601

502-564-7109 ext. 321

502-564-6508 - FAX

[email protected]

[charlie1]

So I guess the other KDFWR that actually took the time to post here was wrong? He even posted the actual regulation, not just a response to an e-mail. So now it's he said, she said, right? It still doesn't make it right to blind other people. If you see another boat coming that you could blind, TURN THEM OFF.

[dcbasser]

I agree,I don,t mind folks using spotlights or headlights on the lake to protect themselves on water, there has been a few times that I wished we had had them on Cumberland. Boats are too expensive to just go out and mangle. Just have a little respect for others and turn them out and slow down. Nothing worse than having Airforce 1 come landing in,leaving you blind and ticked off for at least a couple hours.

[the_donger]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jun-27-06 AT 06:07PM (EST)[/font][p]Charlie, I agree with you, that is why I was surprised by the answer I received from Annette Bruce. I wonder if the KDFWR that responded was actually from KDFWR.

[artcarney_agr]

Why not send this discussion to Kentucky Afield!
:)

[artcarney_agr]

My lights are staying on... :)

[charlie1]

You didn't have to tell us that. I think we figured it out by now. Just do us a favor and turn them off when you see a boat approaching you, please. You can use your spotlight until they pass. Thanks.

[HURRICANEBOB]

See (4). As docking lights can not be reasonably mistaken for navigational lights, there seems to be no prohibition.



301 KAR 6:020. Boating safety equipment.



RELATES TO: KRS 235.200, 235.205, 235.280

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 235.200, 235.280, 235.320

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: To prescribe the minimum boating equipment necessary to help prevent accident, injury or deaths on Kentucky waterways. This amendment is necessary to bring personal flotation device requirements into compliance with current federal standards.



Section 1. Engine Safety Equipment Requirements. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, persons shall not operate vessels with enclosed engines without effective U.S. Coast Guard-approved flame arresters on carburetors.

(2) Persons may operate the following without flame arresters:

(a) Outboard engines; or

(b) Vessels with engines completely open by design and not originally equipped with Underwriters Laboratory or U.S. Coast Guard-approved flame arresters.

(3) Persons shall not operate vessels without adequate ventilation of bilges, engine compartments, fuel compartments or other enclosures.

(4) Persons shall not operate vessels originally equipped with a carburetor drip pan without the drip pan in place and maintained in a functioning condition.

(5) Persons shall not operate vessels whose bilges are not maintained free from oil or grease.



Section 2. Lighting Equipment. (1) Between actual sunset and sunrise:

(a) Operators of Class A or Class 1 motorboats shall display:

1. A white light near the stern of the vessel visible in a 360 degree arc.

2. A combined red and green light near the bow of the vessel which is:

a. Lower than the white light; and

b. As stipulated in subsection (2) of this section.

(b) Operators of Class 2 or Class 3 motorboats shall display:

1. A white light mounted near the bow of the vessel, which is visible from dead ahead to 112.5 degrees on either side of the vehicle.

2. A white light mounted near the stern of the vessel which is:

a. Higher than the forward white light; and

b. Visible in a 360 degree arc.

3. Separate red and green lights as stipulated in subsection (2) of this section.

(c) Operators of Class 1 or larger vessels propelled by sail alone shall display:

1. Red and green lights as stipulated in subsection (2) of this section; and

2. A white stern light which shows in an arc of 135 degrees behind the vessel.

(d) Operators of manually-powered vessels or sailboats less than twenty-two feet, nine inches (22'9") shall:

1. Carry aboard and have immediately available for use a white light of sufficient intensity to illuminate the vessel and its occupants; and

2. Display the white light in time to prevent a collision from an approaching vessel.

(e) Persons operating or responsible for vessels anchored or adrift in a normal navigation channel or passageway shall display a white light visible in a 360 degree arc.

(2) Combination or separate red and green lights shall:

(a) Have an arc of visibility extending from dead ahead to 112.5 degrees on either side of the vessel;

(b) Show the red light on the port side, and the green light on the starboard side, of the vessel; and

(c) Be visible at a distance of at least one (1) mile on a dark night with clear atmosphere.

(3) White lights required by this section shall be visible at a distance of at least two (2) miles on a dark night with clear atmosphere.

(4) On vessels under way between sunset to sunrise, operators shall not display other lights which could be mistaken for the lights specified in this section.



Section 3. Signaling Devices. (1) Operators of Class 1 or larger vessels shall have on board a hand-, mouth- or power-operated signaling device:

(a) Capable of producing a blast of two (2) seconds duration; and

(b) Audible for:

1. One-half (1/2) mile for Class 1 vessels.

2. One (1) mile for Class 2 vessels.

3. One and one-half (1-1/2) miles for Class 3 vessels.

(2) Nothing in this administrative regulation shall exempt a vessel from additional sound devices required by the U.S. Coast Guard or other governmental agencies.



Section 4. Personal Flotation Devices. (1) Operators of Classes 1, 2, and 3 recreational vessels shall have on board a minimum of:

(a) One (1) Type I, Type II or Type III personal flotation device for each person on board the vessel; and

(b) Except for canoes or kayaks, one (1) Type IV personal flotation device.

(2) Operators of Class A recreational vessels shall have on board a minimum of one (1) Type I, Type II, or Type III personal flotation device for each person on board the vessel.

(3) Personal flotation devices shall be:

(a) Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard; and

(b) In good and serviceable condition.

(4) Type I, II, or III personal flotation devices shall be of appropriate size for the wearer and readily accessible.

(5) Type IV personal flotation devices shall be immediately available to the user.

(6) The following shall be exempt from the personal flotation device requirements of this section:

(a) Manually propelled racing vessels;

(b) Sailboards.

(7) Operators may substitute Type V personal flotation devices for other required personal flotation devices, if the Type V device:

(a) Is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for the type of vessel and activity in which the vessel is being used; and

(b) Is being used according to the approved conditions on the label.



Section 5. Fire Extinguishers. (1) Operators of vessels which contain butane gas, propane gas, kerosene, gasoline or other petroleum-consuming device shall have on board at a minimum:

(a) Class A or Class 1 vessels, one (1) B-1 fire extinguisher.

(b) Class 2 vessels:

1. With fixed systems, one (1) B-1 fire extinguisher.

2. Without fixed systems, two (2) B-1 fire extinguishers.

(c) Class 3 vessels:

1. With fixed systems:

a. Two (2) B-1 fire extinguishers; or

b. One (1) B-2 fire extinguisher.

2. Without fixed systems:

a. Three (3) B-1 fire extinguishers; or

b. One (1) B-1 and one (1) B-2 fire extinguishers.

(2) Operators shall:

(a) Maintain fire extinguishers in workable condition; and

(b) Have them available for immediate and effective use.



Section 6. Except for vessels operated for the purposes of firefighting or rescue by the United States Coast Guard, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, a county, city or other governmental entity, operators shall not display flashing, rotating or oscillating red lights on vessels.



Section 7. Vessels Without Required Safety Equipment. (1) If an official of the department, or any other law enforcement officer, observes a vessel operating without the safety equipment specified in this administrative regulation, he may direct the operator to take whatever immediate and reasonable steps are necessary to correct the deficiency, including directing the operator to return to a mooring and remaining there until the situation creating the unsafe condition is corrected.

(2) If a vessel is directed to return to a mooring, the officer may affix a notice to the vessel:

(a) Indicating the nature of the unsafe condition; and

(b) Requiring its correction before the vessel is further operated. (21 Ky.R. 3093; eff. 7-12-95; Am. 22 Ky.R. 1684; eff. 5-16-96.)

[artcarney_agr]

No problem Charlie! It's kind of like meeting a car on the highway at night, you turn off the high beams. It's just common courtesy, I've always done that! :)

[kdfwr907]

>See (4). As docking lights
>can not be reasonably mistaken
>for navigational lights, there seems
>to be no prohibition.

I would disagree with you, as a white light is internationally recognized as a Anchor / Stern light. Also, they are usually mounted below the Navigation lights, giving the appearance of a vessel a long distance away. They also interfere with navigation lights by making them not visible.

I have contacted the Lt. who is the Boating Law Administrator for KY, and he does not know who gave this advice to the information center staff member who responded to your question. He will be getting back with me and I will post what he says.

As many have posted here, and as I enforce the law on Cumberland, If you use a little courtesy you will get the same.
90% of the boats I encounter on Cumberland will flip them off while in a Passing / Overtaking situation so that the other vessel can see their lights / not get blinded, then flip them back on and go on.

[the_donger]

>90% of the boats I encounter
>on Cumberland will flip them
>off while in a Passing
>/ Overtaking situation

Have you ever written a citation for someone running with those lights on? If it is illegal, why not?

[kdfwr907]

Usually Citations resulting from a Safety Inspection / Education stop in regards to improper lights result from Impaired driving or improper equipment.

Most people that I have spoken with just dont really understand what they are doing and how it affects other boaters.

To my knowledge, I have not stopped anyone twice. They usually show a little courtesy, and turn them off thereafter, after explaining / showing them the effect of a bright light on eyes adjusted to darkness.