Speaker Lights/Transom light laws

[Matt Garcia]

Does anyone (specifically Texas) know what the law is with speaker/tower lights and transom lights on while underway? I looked under our local Texas Parks and Wildlife site but I couldn’t find a clear answer.

[gwhite94]

Matt, I just looked at the USCG docs on this and it only talks about the Reg's from a Navigation perspective. Nothing on additional lighting. Here is the link though.

http://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/...ations/420.PDF

[Ewok]

Most jurisdictions will frown on the lights not meeting the basic navigational lighting required while underway, so other boats watching you across the water can tell what direction you are facing and where you are going. Hence the green, red and white lights. I would suspect that the water cops would not be able to write you a ticket if you had the front left half of the boat red, the right front half green and the rear of the boat displaying white, so that other boats would still be able to see you and tell which direction you are traveling. That wouldn't look very nice for all the custom color installs I've seen, but that's the law as I understand it. Below is from a quick google search, I'm sure it's not a specific state law or requirement but here is a link to the USCG regulations page: http://www.uscgboating.org/regulatio...gulations.aspx

Here is a quick snipet from Boat US safety page: http://www.boatus.org/guide/navigation_16.html

Navigation Lights

Navigation lights are used to prevent collisions at night or in times of reduced visibility, and are an essential tool in keeping you and your vessel safe. Nav lights allow you to see other nearby vessels, and allow other vessels to see you.

Nav lights also provide information about the size, activity, and direction of travel. By understanding the characteristics of Nav lights, you can determine an appropriate course of action as you approach another vessel.

You are required to display the appropriate lights at night or during times of reduced visibility.

[Ewok]

I think the bottom line is that if your aftermarket speaker lighting interferes with another operators ability to see your navigation lights while underway, you'll probably get a ticket.

[chpthril]

GW is right, they do not tell you what is illegal, just what is "required". You have to actually read between the lines. If its a light or colors that outside the boat or above the deck, as in tower speaker lights, docking lights, transom lights, etc, its not the right color thats visible from the specified angle, its a violation.

When I do underwater lights and tower lights, they always have their dedicated switch so they can be turned off as to not attract unwanted attention.

On our local lakes, the Po-po will typically leave boaters alone when they are anchored, but if they are underway with "extra" lighting thats not a required NAV light, you will get s ticket.

[Matt Garcia]

On our local lakes, the Po-po will typically leave boaters alone when they are anchored, but if they are underway with "extra" lighting thats not a required NAV light, you will get s ticket.

That is what I thought as well but wasnt quite sure. It's just easier for me to leave the lights off and not draw any attention to myself while underway.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

Matt I was at texoma on the Texas side last year and when they boarded me at dusk/dark they told me my speaker rings were illegal on my tower. They didn't write me a ticket though.

[Matt Garcia]

Matt I was at texoma on the Texas side last year and when they boarded me at dusk/dark they told me my speaker rings were illegal on my tower. They didn't write me a ticket though.

Dang, well thats good. Most likely I will just have them when I am stopped. No need to get harassed by the po po!

[bwstx]

Matt, same in East Texas for me. Stopped at night, but no ticket. Just held us up for a little while. So nothing other than nav lights for us now while underway.