International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS)

they are underway. As a result they must use battery powered navigation lights.

The Coast Guard has determined that at the present time there are no available battery

powered navigation lights which can reasonably meet the vertical sector require- ments

contained in Section 10 of Annex T to the 72 COLREGS.

Rule 24(h) of the 72 COLREGS states that "Where from any sufficient cause it is

impracticable for a vessel or object being towed to exhibit the lights or shapes

prescribed in paragraph (e) or (g) of this Rule, all possible measures shall be taken to

light the vessel or object towed or at least to indicate the presence of such vessel or

object." The lack of any practical battery powered lights capable of meeting the vertical

sector requirements of the 72 COLREGS is, in the opinion of the Coast Guard,

"sufficient cause" as the term is used in Rule 24(h).