Likewise if you're in a situation
: where being seen is important the lighting should be as robust and up to
: the job as any piece of equipment that's important for preventing
: collision,damage and death.

: Speaking from the experience of paddling back to the docks with a large group
: of paddlers in all manner of twinkly illumination and a skipper on a
: charter boat giving us holy hell for being invisible on the water.

I carry a waterproof white strobe light (personal locator) for night use. It can be used to indicate emergencies on inland waters, but strobes are used as rock markers at sea.

I will put it on if I'm in danger of being run over at night. I'd rather they see me and wonder if I'm rock, than run me over. Too many power boats are running on alcohol after dark.

Stobes are hard to miss, but not sanctioned by the Coast Guard.

Rob

Here's what the CG has to say;

13. Where do Kayaks and Canoes fit into the Navigation Rules? Neither the International nor Inland Navigation Rules address "kayaks" or "canoes" per se, except in regards to "vessels under oars" in Rule 25 regarding lights. One could infer that a "vessel under oars" should be treated as a "sailing vessel" since it is permitted to display the same lights as one, but, ultimately the issue of whom "gives way" would fall to what would be "required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case" (Rule 2).

14. Can I use Strobe Lights to be more visible at night? For any other lights beyond those specifically defined within the Navigation Rules they should be such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules, or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out (Rule 20).

Displaying a strobe for “higher visibility” would confuse other vessels as to your navigational status (many aids to navigation use a strobe or flashing). Also, lights provide direction and aspect information to other boat operators. For example, if while operating my vessel I see a red light on my starboard side I know I am the give-way vessel (Rule 16, 17). The use of a strobe light could overwhelm a vessel’s navigation lights and cease to provide such crucial direction and aspect information to other boat operators.

Also, Rule 36 of the International Rules addresses signals to attract attention and for the purpose of [that] rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided. Rule 37 of the Inland Rules addresses strobes in regards to distress signals so that when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use…a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70 times per minute.

Since strobe light use is to be avoided (International waters) or used as a distress signal (Inland waters), it cannot be used to routinely mark vessels operating on the water.