Docking lights are not headlights for boats

Popular misconception about the use of docking lights. Many people don't even know they are called docking lights and improperly use them while navigating. Don't do that!

[@harveyroad6]

Thanks for the vid. Drives me wild when boaters leave them on and are miles away. Not to mention dangerous.

[@sweetvelocitybps]

Yep, a pet peeve of mine too!

[@randywilkinson2190]

I live in SC and often find myself out at sea after daylight. The channel marker rarely work here. I am about to install a flood light to the front of my bow. This way I can see the markers reflect. Don't care to split my boat in half. Will I be in the wrong for doing so?

[@sweetvelocitybps]

That’s a great question. A lot of people have either a handheld or a mounted spotlight on their boat for just such a purpose. The key is in how you use it. For certain don’t operate the boat any faster than you can confidently navigate safely, a spotlight shouldn’t be used to get you anywhere faster than driving without it. Use it as briefly as possible, not pointed at other boats, and not in any direction that would upset the night vision of other boaters (or yourself for that matter). Point it in the direction where the marker should be and once you’ve spotted it, off goes the spotlight. Don’t leave it on continuously or endlessly pan the horizon for every imaginable thing. It will confuse or make for angry other boaters and could make you a hazard to others’ proper navigation. If you’re operating at headway speed, often times you’re navlights will reflect off of the markers or buoys as you come upon them. If they’re in bad shape and not very reflective, just use your spotlight in short bursts to check you’re relative position and continue to proceed cautiously. Regardless, the preference of most other boaters out there with you will be for you to figure out how to navigate safely without disturbing their safe navigation.

[@jeffreyhouston2043]

What about a led light bar for my boat ?

[@sweetvelocitybps]

I've only ever seen them on some commercial fishing boats and not while navigating on open water. I'm not sure of the regulations for use but for certain they will kill your night vision and are a risk to other boaters, upsetting others' night vision and confusing or making navigation more challenging. How will another boat know what type of vessel you are and your direction of travel if blinded by a light bar? I don't recommend it.

[@jeffreyhouston2043]

@@sweetvelocitybps I'm talking about for docking.

[@sweetvelocitybps]

@@jeffreyhouston2043 Ahhhhm, I see. A bit overkill I think but if you're not going to be blasting any neighbors with light then go for it. Do what makes docking easier for you.

[@jeffreyhouston2043]

@@sweetvelocitybps I use it for duck hunting also.