What must unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet exhibit?

Unpowered vessels less than 65.6 feet, such as canoes and kayaks, are required to exhibit red and green sidelights and a sternlight to ensure that they are visible to other watercraft, especially in low-light conditions. The red light must be displayed on the port (left) side and the green light on the starboard (right) side. This arrangement helps other vessels determine the direction in which the unpowered vessel is moving, promoting safety on the water.

The inclusion of a sternlight is crucial as it illuminates the vessel's rear, allowing other boaters to assess the size and orientation of the vessel from behind. This combination of lights is a standard requirement established by the navigation rules to prevent collisions and enhance visibility, especially at night or in reduced visibility situations. Using only a white light, having no lights, or just a white sternlight does not provide the necessary information to other vessels to navigate safely around the unpowered vessel.