I went to the link you have on here and it goes no where... I searched the primary site of
www.boatus.org that is a private institution that attempts to cater to all marine activities in all 50 states and not just Texas.
Regardless... I was unable to locate on their site the "quote" or any part of it that you posted...
I have also contacted the TPWD and have asked for a definition and clarification ... there is no such regulation other than as posted below in Texas Waters.
To date there has been no notice of only being limited to running Navigation Lights and no restrictions for operation of other lights on a vessel while underway...
There are a few people with some authority who have made erroneous claims for some reason... Most all law enforcement people that I have encountered (including Coast Guard) think the higher the visibility (in any manner) the better because it will minimize accidents... in any case... the Law is quite plain and the proper lights(required) should be displayed - (in addition to what you may choose to add to it.)
Copied directly from TPW today....
Lights Required
All vessels including motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, rubber rafts, or other vessels when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight visible all around the horizon from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility.Navigation Lights
Power Driven Vessels Underway: Power driven vessels of less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.) but more than 12 meters (39.4 ft.) shall exhibit navigation lights as shown in Figure 1.
Vessels of less than 12 meters in length, shall show the lights in either Figure 1 or Figure 2.Manually Driven Vessels when Paddled, Poled, Oared or Windblown
A sailing vessel of less than 20 meters (65.6 ft.), while underway shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight which may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters (23 ft.) shall, if practicable, exhibit the sidelights and a sternlight, or shall exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight from sunset to sunrise when not at dock.
All other manually driven vessels may exhibit sidelights and a sternlight, or shall exhibit at least one bright light, lantern, or flashlight from sunset to sunrise when not at dock. In vessels of less than 12 meters (39.4 feet), white lights shall be visible at a distance of at least two (2) miles. Colored lights shall be visible at a distance of at least one (1) mile.
"Visible" when applied to lights, means visible on dark nights with clear atmosphere.
I am not and do not pretend to be an attorney and suggest you seek appropriate help if this is unclear to you.
Don Abernathy
Wildcat Lighting
