33 CFR 84.14 - Intensity of lights.

U.S. Code of Federal Regulations

Regulations most recently checked for updates: Jan 21, 2026

View all text of Part 84-ANNEX [§ 84.01 - § 84.20]

§ 84.14 - Intensity of lights.

(a) The minimum luminous intensity of lights shall be calculated by using the formula:

I = 3.43 × 10 6 × T × D 2 × K−D

Where:

I is luminous intensity in candelas under service conditions,

T is threshold factor 2 × 10−7lux,

D is range of visibility (luminous range) of the light in nautical miles,

K is atmospheric transmissivity. For prescribed lights the value of K shall be 0.8, corresponding to a meteorological visibility of approximately 13 nautical miles.

(b) A selection of figures derived from the formula is given in the following table (Table 84.14(b)):

Table 84.14(b)

Range of visibility (luminous range) of light in nautical miles D	Minimum luminous intensity of light in candelas for K = 0.8 I
1	0.9
2	4.3
3	12
4	27
5	52
6	94