06/07/2026
Did you know that the "headlights" on your pontoon are for docking only, and represent a hazard on the lake to other boaters? According to the Coast Guard:
"While modern pontoon docking lights are incredibly bright and effective for illuminating a slip, using them for general navigation is a major safety hazard for a few critical reasons:
- They Blind Oncoming Boaters: Docking lights are designed to cast a wide, intense flood of light. When left on while underway, they completely destroy the night vision of any captain heading in your direction, making it impossible for them to see the shoreline, hazards, or your actual position.
- They Wash Out Your Nav Lights: The law requires red and green sidelights and a 360-degree white anchor/stern light for a reason—they tell other boaters exactly which direction you are traveling. The intense glare of docking lights completely washes these out, leaving oncoming traffic guessing about your heading.
- They Ruin Your Own Night Vision: Just like high beams in a thick fog, the light reflects off the water, the front gate, and the bow of your own boat. This creates a wall of glare that makes it harder, not easier, to see dark obstacles ahead like unlit swim buoys, logs, or kayaks.