Docking Lights

Boat Headlights Resources and Information

Commonly known as boat headlights, docking lights are essential marine lighting components that allow boaters to safely navigate at night. Additionally, the US Coastguard requires boaters to install docking lights on their boats. PartsVu is thrilled to stock boat headlights from top boating product suppliers, like Anderson, Optronics, Sea-Dog, Aqua Signal, Attwood Marine, Sierra, and others.

Looking for more boating and marine products? Check out our complete selection of Products and Accessories. You can also shop our broader selection of Electrical and Lighting Accessories for Boats or Boat Lighting Products and Accessories.

Docking Lights FAQs

What are docking lights? 

We all know how dangerous boating at night can be. That’s why the US Coastguard requires boats to be outfitted with various lights to safely navigate at night and allow boaters to identify each other to avoid accidents. Docking lights are of these types of lights. Docking lights act exactly like headlights for your boat, making navigation and docking at night much easier. Docking lights come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. For longer life and better all-around quality, LED docking lights are some of the best types of docking lights on the market. 

What is an SOS electric distress light?

An SOS electric distress light is an LED visual distress signal device that meets US Coast Guard requirements and completely replaces traditional pyrotechnic flares. Electronic flares never expire (pyrotechnic flares must be less than 42 months old) and also solve flare disposal problems. Also, an LED electric distress light flashes for up to 60 hours, whereas traditional flares last minutes or less. These lights flash only the SOS sequence, per USCG requirements, and are visible up to 10 nautical miles.

How do I select a personal locator beacon?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, you may ask, “What is the best personal locator beacon?” Of course, the answer to this question comes down to your budget and what additional features you may want, such as GPS or GNSS capabilities to allow rescuers to more accurately pinpoint your location. While there are a variety of PLBs available, here are a few we recommend— each with additional GPS capabilities to ensure that rescuers can reach you quickly if needed.

The ResQLink 400 by ACR Electronics

The ResQLink 400 by ACR Electronics features a strobe and infrared strobe light, allowing rescuers to quickly identify your location once they’re in the vicinity. This buoyant, lightweight device features GPS and Galileo GNSS, allowing rescuers to pinpoint your location within 100 meters or less of your location. Multifunction clips allow it to be wore multiple ways.

The ResQLink 425 by ACR Electronics

The ResQLink 425 has all the benefits of the 400, with a few added features. The 425 features an OLED digital display for a more user-friendly experience. In addition, the operational life of the battery, once activated, is an estimated 28 hours rather than the 24 hours provided by the 400.

The FastFind 220 by McMurdo

The FastFind 220 by McMurdo is the world’s first Galileo PLB, meaning that it has advanced location accuracy through the use of both GPS and Galileo GNSS signaling. This palm-sized unit features self-testing of all capabilities and includes a buoyancy pouch, lanyard, and standard pouch.

The FastFind 220 is guaranteed waterproof up to 30 meters. It also features an LED light, giving you added peace of mind.

What are some more necessary boating safety accessories? 

The best life jacket is the one you will wear, but adults are not required to wear their life jackets at all times. This said, \a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket is required on board for each person. Lifejacket regulations for children may vary by state; however, in states with no children’s life jacket law, a US Coast Guard interim rule requires children under 13 on moving boats to wear a well-fitting US Coast Guard-approved life jacket. For information on how to properly fit a kid’s life jacket, check out our detailed blog here.

Lifejackets must be:

• The appropriate size for the intended user,
• Suitable for the intended activity,
• In good and serviceable condition, and
• US Coast Guard approved to meet carriage requirements.

Additionally, you must have a throwable (a square cushion, also called a Type 4 PFD) onboard if the boat is over 16 feet. A PFD like a ring buoy also meets this requirement.

Finally, for those who like to bring their dog along for the adventure: we recommend suiting up your pup as well. Dog life jackets aren’t a USCG requirement, but they are recommended— especially for certain breeds, such as greyhounds, whippets, dobermans, bulldogs, and many more. Learn about how to choose the best dog life jacket here.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguisher requirements will depend on the age of the vessel, its size, and whether or not a fire extinguishing system is in place.

For Boats 2018 & Newer:

For powerboats less than 26′, you need a minimum of one 5-B or 20-B rated fire extinguishers that are date stamped. Vessels between 26′ – 40′ require two of these. This applies to boats without an existing fire extinguishing system.

If your boat has a fire extinguishing system built-in, you may reduce the requirement by one unit. So, in this case, a powerboat with a fire extinguishing system that measures less than 26′ would need no additional fire extinguishers, while boats measuring 26′ – 40′ would require only one.

For Boats Made between 1953 – 2017:

For powerboats less than 26′, you need at least one B-1 fire extinguisher (a 5-pound fire extinguisher) on board. Boats 26′ – 40′ must carry a minimum of two B-1 fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers have expiration dates, so boaters need to be mindful of that. This rule applies to boats without an existing fire extinguishing system.

If your boat has a fire extinguishing system built-in, you may again reduce the requirement by one unit. So, in this case, a powerboat with a fire extinguishing system that measures less than 26′ would need no additional fire extinguishers, while boats measuring 26′ – 40′ would require only one.

Visual Distress Signals

Visual distress signals are designed to assure that boaters have a way of attracting attention, securing assistance, and finding a boat in need of help more quickly.

Electric or Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signaling Devices

Must be Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condition, and stowed to be readily accessible. If they are marked with a date showing the serviceable life, this date must not have passed. Launchers produced before Jan. 1, 1981, intended for use with approved signals are not required to be Coast Guard Approved.

USCG Approved Pyrotechnic and Electric Visual Distress Signals and Associated Devices include:

• Pyrotechnic red flares, handheld or aerial
• Pyrotechnic orange smoke, handheld or floating
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute flares
• Electric distress light (night use only)

What are some of the most popular boating safety equipment? 

Type I, offshore life jackets provide the most buoyancy and are specifically designed for rough, open waters, where rescue might be delayed. They are also designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.

Given that man-overboard situations can be sudden and deadly when boating offshore, automatically inflating PFDs are a must. Automatic inflation relies mostly on a dissolvable bobbin with a spring/pin arrangement. The water dissolves the bobbin, and the spring-powered pin punches the CO2 canister for inflation. Because the spring/pin arrangement can fail, every automatically inflating PFD has a manual cord and oral inflation tube. Many PFDs designed for offshore boating include pockets for PLBs and strobe lights.

A ditch bag must contain the items needed to call for help and to survive in a life raft while waiting for rescue. A ditch bag must be kept in an accessible location on board, ready for immediate removal should the need arise.

We recommend against trying to adapt a duffel bag or using a dry bag. Rather, we advise using bags specifically designed for abandon-ship/survival situations. What features should your ditch bag have? Floatation, water-resistance, bright colors for visibility, carrying straps, and tethers for sure. Additionally, we suggest looking for a bag with well-designed dividers so you can organize your gear. Finally, the bag must be large enough to contain survival gear plus food and water for you and all others on board.

A life raft is designed to keep the passengers of a sunk, capsized, or burned boat alive until they can be rescued. Although every offshore boater hopes to never need their life raft, it is the most important piece of equipment aboard. Life rafts leave the passengers aboard with little protection from the elements but are designed for visibility to aid with rescue efforts. Although much-needed safety devices, they should only be used as a last resort. Whenever possible, it is safer to stay aboard your main vessel even if it is damaged.