---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 83.23"
title: "33"
number: "83.23"
heading: "Power-driven vessels underway (Rule 23)."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/83.23"
---

# §83.23. Power-driven vessels underway (Rule 23).

- (a) A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:
  - (i) A masthead light forward;
  - (ii) A second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;
  - (iii) Sidelights; and
  - (iv) **A sternlight.**
- (b) An air-cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light where it can best be seen.
- (c) A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this Rule, exhibit a high intensity all-round flashing red light.
- (d) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.
- (e) A power-driven vessel when operating on the Great Lakes may carry an all-round white light in lieu of the second masthead light and sternlight prescribed in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this Rule. The light shall be carried in the position of the second masthead light and be visible at the same minimum range.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 2071; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

### Source

Source: USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted.