At what times must navigation lights be displayed on a boat?

Navigation lights must be displayed on a boat from sunset to sunrise, which generally corresponds to the hours when visibility is low. This requirement is in place to ensure that boats are visible to one another during hours of darkness, which is crucial for preventing collisions and enhancing safety on the water. Additionally, navigation lights provide necessary visual cues regarding a vessel's size, direction, and activity, which is critical for other boaters to recognize and respond appropriately.

The mention of times from sunrise to sunset does not account for the periods when it is necessary for boats to be illuminated to maintain safety. The requirement also extends beyond conditions of fog, as visibility can be compromised for various reasons, such as darkness. While being anchored requires certain lights to be displayed, it is not the only time when navigation lights are necessary. Thus, the specification that navigation lights must be shown all day does not align with the established regulations which focus specifically on periods of low visibility.