(a) All watercraft, subject to the provisions of 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 on 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:
(1) All powercraft under twenty-six feet in length shall carry the following lights:
A. A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon;
B. 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 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on their respective sides, each light thereby subtending an arc of 112.5 degrees, ten points, measured from the centerline of the boat and beginning right ahead.
(2) All powercraft from twenty-six feet in length and not more than sixty-five feet in length shall carry the following lights:
A. 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 225 degrees, twenty points, so fixed as to throw the light 112.5 degrees, ten points, on each side of the vessel; namely, from right ahead to 22.5 degrees, two points, abaft the beam on either side;
B. A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward;
C. On the starboard side a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees, ten points, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 22.5 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 112.5 degrees, ten points, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees, two points, abaft the beam on the port side. Such lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height so set as to prevent those lights from being seen across the bow.
(3) Sailboats propelled by machinery, whether under sail or not, shall exhibit the same light as prescribed for powercraft of comparable length.
(4) Every sailboat, regardless of length, under sail alone shall exhibit:
A. On the starboard side, a green light, so constructed as to throw an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon 112.5 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;
B. On the port side, a red light, so constructed to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 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;
C. At her stern a white light, so constructed that it shall show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon 135 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.
(5) 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.
(6) All watercraft required to carry a readily accessible flashlight or lantern shall exhibit such flashlight or lantern in sufficient time to avert a collision.
(7) A white light visible all around the horizon shall be exhibited by watercraft while at anchor.
(8) 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.
(9) In lieu of the lights required by this section, any powercraft may carry and exhibit lights required by:
A. "Act of February 8, 1895," 28 Stat. 645, 33 U. S. C. 241, as amended;
B. "Act of September 24, 1963," 77 Stat. 194, 33 U.S.C. 1061, as amended;
or
C. "Act of May 21, 1948," 62 Stat. 250, 33 U.S.C. 301, as amended.
(10) In lieu of the lights required by this section, any sailboat may carry and exhibit the lights required by either:
A. "Act of February 8, 1895," 28 Stat. 645, 33 U.S.C. 241, as amended; or
B. "Act of May 21, 1948," 62 Stat. 250, 33 U.S.C. 301, as amended.
(b) Whoever violates or fails to comply with this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Punishment shall be as provided in Section 698.02. (ORC 1547.99(C))