§ 66.01-11 Lights.

FederalRegulations

Ask Donna

How this section applies to your facts.

Title 33 CFR: Navigation and Navigable Waters › Chapter I: COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY › Part 66: PRIVATE AIDS TO NAVIGATION › Subpart 66.01: Subpart 66.01—Aids to Navigation Other Than Federal or State › § 66.01-11: § 66.01-11 Lights.

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

(a) Except for range and sector lights, each light approved as a private aid to navigation must:

(1) Have at least the effective intensity required by this subpart omnidirectionally in the horizontal plane, except at the seams of its lens-mold.

(2) Have at least 50% of the effective intensity required by this subpart within ±2° of the horizontal plane.

(3) Have a minimum effective intensity of at least 1 candela for a range of 1 nautical mile, 3 candelas for one of 2 nautical miles, 10 candelas for one of 3 nautical miles, and 54 candelas for one of 5 nautical miles. The District Commander may change the requirements for minimum intensity to account for local environmental conditions. For a flashing light this intensity is determined by the following formula:

Ie = G/(0.2 + t

2

−t

1

)

Where:

Ie = Effective intensity

G = The integral of the instantaneous intensity of the flashed light with respect to time

t

1

= Time in seconds at the beginning of the flash

t

2

= Time in seconds at the end of the flash

t

2

−t

1

is greater than or equal to 0.2 seconds.

(4) Unless the light is a prefocused lantern, have a means of verifying that the source of the light is at the focal point of the lens.

(5) Emit a color within the angle of 50% effective intensity with color coordinates lying within the boundaries defined by the corner coordinates in Table 66.01-11(5) of this part when plotted on the Standard Observer Diagram of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).

Table 66.01-11(5)—Coordinates of Chromaticity

Color

Coordinates of chromaticity

x axis

y axis

White

0.500

0.382

0.440

0.382

0.285

0.264

0.285

0.332

0.453

0.440

0.500

0.440

Green

0.305

0.689

0.321

0.494

0.228

0.351

0.028

0.385

Red

0.735

0.265

0.721

0.259

0.645

0.335

0.665

0.335

Yellow

0.618

0.382

0.612

0.382

0.555

0.435

0.560

0.440

rver Diagram of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).

Table 66.01-11(5)—Coordinates of Chromaticity

Color

Coordinates of chromaticity

x axis

y axis

White

0.500

0.382

0.440

0.382

0.285

0.264

0.285

0.332

0.453

0.440

0.500

0.440

Green

0.305

0.689

0.321

0.494

0.228

0.351

0.028

0.385

Red

0.735

0.265

0.721

0.259

0.645

0.335

0.665

0.335

Yellow

0.618

0.382

0.612

0.382

0.555

0.435

0.560

0.440

(6) Have a recommended interval for replacement of the source of light that ensures that the lantern meets the minimal required intensity stated in paragraph (a)(3) of this section in case of degradation of either the source of light or the lens.

(7) Have autonomy of at least 10 days if the light has a self-contained power system. Power production for the prospective position should exceed the load during the worst average month of insolation. The literature concerning the light must clearly state the operating limits and service intervals. Low-voltage disconnects used to protect the battery must operate so as to prevent sporadic operation at night.

(b) The manufacturer of each light approved as a private aid to navigation must certify compliance by means of an indelible plate or label affixed to the aid that meets the requirements of § 66.01-14.

[USCG-2000-7466, 68 FR 68238, Dec. 8, 2003]

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.