Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Members
Posted

My fishing partner and I were in a little jackpot tournament out of the Shell Knob bridge on Friday night. We went up lake amost to Big M and after dark decided to run back to the mouth of Little Mill Creek. It was totaly dark and when we were about 1/2 mile from our spot, right in front of me I noticed a faint light. I immediately turned hard to the right and then we noticed a canoe with several people in it. They had no lights on the boat and I think the faint light was a cell phone. I missed them by not more than 20 feet. Be careful out there after dark. You never know what some people will do.

Posted

I think I remember a few years ago, Tablerock was given a nighttime speed limit....Not saying you were doing anything wrong...at all....Yes, people do go out with no lights in boats of all sizes, but especially the smaller boats...Wonder what the crazies were thinking as the noise of your craft got closer and closer....

I hate to say, because I could be wrong, but I THINK the night time speed limit is 30 mph....Yes, I know. Barely enough to stay on plane. lol

Posted

Had the same problem in the same spot about 5 years ago, I almost cut thoes kids in half scared me to death. Just caught a glimps of something in the water ahead of the boat and shut it down. Yelled at the kids for not having a light and they said it got dark on them and where just trying to get across the lake.

Posted

Punishing the responsible boaters instead of the idiots out after dark with no navigational lights makes no sense.

everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.

Posted

Does MO require non motorized watercraft to have running lights?

"Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously."

Hunter S. Thompson

Posted

jdmidwest.. Not sure of the exact regulation, but "I think" that if you are out in anything that floats, and are on the main channel, you have to have lights.

??

Posted

jdmidwest.. Not sure of the exact regulation, but "I think" that if you are out in anything that floats, and are on the main channel, you have to have lights.

??

Here are the lighting requirements for boats at night in Missouri:

Navigation Lights

The required navigation lights differ depending on the type and size of your vessel. You must display the required navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.

Motorboats When Underway

If less than 40 feet long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in illustration 1. Remember, motorboats include sailboats operating under power. The required lights are:

Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least one mile away on a dark, clear night.

An all-round white light or both a masthead light and a sternlight. These lights must be visible from a distance of at least two miles away on a dark, clear night. The all-round white light (or the masthead light and sternlight) must be visible from all directions in a 360° circle.

The masthead light and sternlight may be combined as an all-round white light on vessels less than 39.4 feet long.

Unpowered Vessels When Underway

An alternative to the sidelights and sternlight is a combination red, green, and white light, which must be exhibited near the top of the mast.

Unpowered vessels are sailboats or vessels that are paddled, poled, or rowed.

If less than 65.6 feet long, these vessels must exhibit the lights as shown in Figure 2. The required lights are:

Red and green sidelights visible from at least two miles away (or if less than 40 feet long, at least one mile).

A sternlight visible from at least two miles away.

An alternative to the sidelights and sternlight is a combination red, green, and white light, which must be exhibited near the top of the mast.

If less than 23.0 feet long, these vessels should:

If practical, exhibit the same lights as required for unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet in length.

If not practical, have on hand at least one lantern or flashlight shining a white light as shown in Figure 3.

Vessel operators should never leave shore without a flashlight. Even if you plan to return before dark, unforeseen developments might delay your return past nightfall.

All Vessels When Not Underway

All vessels are required to use a white light visible from all directions whenever they are anchored or moored away from dock between sunset and sunrise.

Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division

Online boating safety handbook last modified: May 23, 2011

Email Missouri Boating Handbook Webmaster with questions or comments about this web site.

Copyright © 1998-2011 Boat Ed. All rights reserved.

Review Boat Ed's privacy policy.

  • Members
Posted

The speed limit on Missouri lakes is 30 mile per hour 30 minutes prior to dusk and 30 minutes past dawn. I have a few kids who are getting their license to boat and it is in the Missouri boating handout.

Posted

Great info guys.

Posted

So the light app does not count on small vessels?

The only time I venture out at night in a paddle boat is duck season on small protected lakes. Then I am armed with a headlamp that is either a bright white led or red led for night vision, so I am legal. If I am in a motorized boat, the Q Beam Spotlight is out for running.

"Life has become immeasurably better since I have been forced to stop taking it seriously."

Hunter S. Thompson

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.