Can additional lights be carried on a vessel?

Carrying additional lights on a vessel is permissible as long as those lights do not impair the visibility or effectiveness of required navigation lights. The regulations governing vessel lighting are designed to ensure safety on the water, and while additional lights may offer improved visibility for certain maneuvers or situations, they must not interfere with the standard lights that communicate a vessel's presence, status, and intentions to other vessels.

Incorporating extra lights can enhance visibility in certain situations, but if those additional lights create confusion or distract from the mandatory lighting requirements, it would compromise safety at sea. Therefore, the guiding principle is that any additional lights must complement the existing navigation lights without obstructing or diminishing their visibility.