Anyone running blue cockpit lights? Looking for a picture.

Not sure, i just hear of it from time to time......At night while under way, the only navigation lights should be your all around white and green (starboard) and red (port).....Maybe there is something in the regs that say those are the only color that can be used.....Not really sure....They also might say it creates confusion with the safety boats...Again, no idea, just I have heard it.....My point was more just about running with them on....
 
wetpaint said:
Not sure, i just hear of it from time to time......At night while under way, the only navigation lights should be your all around white and green (starboard) and red (port).....Maybe there is something in the regs that say those are the only color that can be used.....Not really sure....They also might say it creates confusion with the safety boats...Again, no idea, just I have heard it.....My point was more just about running with them on....
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I couldn't imagine any issues just having blue or red cockpit lights on while running at night. If you had exterior blue or red lights on while underway at night, that may be a different story. I have run with blue lights on around sherrif boats with no issue. I'll try to remember to ask when I am getting my boat inspected for my 2013 vessel inspection so I can get my sticker for the year (not necessary but may help from being boarded).
 
My buddy was boarded by the coast guard while on the hook in the Sacramento River last Wednesday night. It was a 1.5hr boarding inspection. They went through everything. He said it did pucker out a bit:). He had blue underwater lights on when the approached. The said they are prohibited on all vessels except law enforcement. I thought that was pretty strange when I heard the story this weekend. I know they are prohibited while underway but I would think you can have any color lights you want on your boat while anchored. The only reason I can come up with is that he wasn't anchored in a designated anchorage. It is strange that there are so many underwater and cockpit lights on the market with blue as a color if they are prohibited.

I can't find anywhere in the California boating law indicating that blue light is allowed while not underway. Just a statement that they are prohibited for all vessels other than law enforcement. Anyone know anything different??

652.5. Lights for enforcement vessels. (a) The use of a distinctive blue light as prescribed by the department is reserved for law enforcement vessels and may be displayed during the day or night whenever the vessel may be engaged in direct law enforcement activities, including, but not limited to, those activities specified in subdivision (a) of Section 663.7, where identification of a law enforcement vessel is desirable or where necessary for safety reasons.
(b) That light when used shall be in addition to prescribed lights and day signals required by law.
(c) The display of such blue lights on vessels for other purposes is prohibited.
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THJeff said:
Agree. Original Poster is from Michigan and bugs will eat you alive here if you have blue lights.
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+1... save your money and go red. My red lights in the arch attract way less bugs than either white or blue. Wish i had known before initally going all blue for the cool factor. PS... I only use the red arch lights at the pier... Your results may vary, and I make no claim about whether or not they are allwed by the USCG. At the pier, I cant see why they would be prohibited.
 
I just replaced all my cockpit and arch lights with LED lights that you can change the color from red, to cool white, or blue. They were a little pricey, but I have the best of all worlds depending on what the bugs are after! :)Rob
 
Robf said:
I just replaced all my cockpit and arch lights with LED lights that you can change the color from red, to cool white, or blue. They were a little pricey, but I have the best of all worlds depending on what the bugs are after! :)Rob
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Where did you purchase the LED's that change color? This does sound like the best of all worlds.

Kim
 
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