971.05 WATERCRAFT TO CARRY LIGHTS.

   All watercraft, subject to this chapter shall, in all weather from sunset to sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient natural light to render discernible other watercraft and substantial objects in the water at a distance of 300 feet, carry and exhibit the following lights when underway, and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for those prescribed, shall be exhibited.

   (a)    All powercraft under twenty-six feet in length shall carry the following lights:

      (1)    A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon; and

      (2)    A combined lantern in the forepart of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to twenty-two and one-half degrees, two points, abaft the beam on their respective sides; each light thereby subtending an arc of one hundred twelve and one-half degrees, ten points, measured from the center line of the boat and beginning right ahead.

   (b)    All powercraft from twenty-six feet in length and not more than sixty-five feet in length shall carry the following lights:

      (1)    A bright white light in the forepart of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of two hundred twenty-five degrees, twenty points, so fixed as to throw the light one hundred twelve and one-half degrees, ten points, on each side of the vessel; namely, from right ahead to twenty-two and one-half degrees, two points, abaft the beam on either side;

      (2)   A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon and higher

         than the white light forward; and

      (3)   On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and one-half degrees, ten points, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to twenty-two and one-half degrees, two points, abaft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and one-half degrees, ten points, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to twenty-two and one-half degrees, two points, abaft the beam on the port side. Such side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.

   (c)   Sailboats propelled by machinery whether under sail or not, shall exhibit the same lights as prescribed for powercrafts of comparable length.

   (d)    Every sailboat, regardless of length, under sail alone shall exhibit:

      (1)   On the starboard side, a green light, so constructed as to throw an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and one-half degrees, ten points, so fixed to throw the light from right ahead to twenty-two and one-half degrees, two points, abaft the beam on the starboard side;

      (2)    On the port side, a red light, so constructed to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and one-half degrees, ten points, so fixed to throw the light from right ahead to twenty-two and one-half degrees, two points, abaft the beam on the port side;

      (3)    At the stern a white light, so constructed that it shall show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon one hundred thirty-five degrees, twelve points, so fixed as to show the light sixty-seven and one-half degrees, six points, from right aft on each side of the vessel, and of such a character as to be visible a distance of at least two miles, and carried as nearly as practicable on the same level as the side lights, or in lieu of the white stern light, a readily accessible lantern or flashlight, showing a white light.

   (e)    Rowboats and canoes shall carry either a white light visible all around the horizon or a readily accessible lantern or flashlight showing a white light.

   (f)    All watercraft required to carry a readily accessible flashlight or lantern shall exhibit such flashlight or lantern in sufficient time to avert a collision.

   (g)    A white light visible all around the horizon shall be exhibited by watercraft while at anchor.

   (h)    Every white light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least two miles. Every colored light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile.

   (i)    In lieu of the lights required by this section, any powercraft may carry and exhibit lights required by:

      (1)   "Act of February 8, 1895," 28 Stat. 645, 33 U.S.C. 241, as amended;

(2)   "Act of September 24, 1963," 77 Stat. 194, 33 U.S.C. 1061, as amended;

      (3)   "Act of May 21, 1948," 62 Stat. 250, 33 U.S.C. 301, as amended.

   (j)    In lieu of the lights required by this section, any sailboat may carry and exhibit the lights required by either:

      (1)    "Act of February 8, 1895," 28 Stat. 645, 33 U.S.C. 241, as amended;

      (2)    "Act of May 21, 1948," 62 Stat. 250, 33 U.S.C. 301, as amended.