What is the minimum visibility of all the navigation lights on a vessel of less than 12m in length?

The minimum visibility for navigation lights on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length is indeed 1 nautical mile. This standard is established under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which specify requirements for all vessels regarding the visibility of their navigation lights to ensure safe navigation and to prevent collisions.

Vessels that are less than 12 meters are typically smaller craft, and the regulations indicate that their navigation lights should be visible at a distance of 1 nautical mile under normal visibility conditions. This is crucial for facilitating the recognition of these vessels by others, especially in crowded or constrained waterways, where the risk of collision is elevated.

In contrast, larger vessels are required to have a greater visibility range for their lights, reflecting their size and the potential for higher traffic scenarios in which they operate. Therefore, the specific requirement of 1 nautical mile for smaller vessels balances necessary visibility for safety while considering their operational contexts.