Navy Landing Craft Get Special Navigation Light Exemptions

You might care about this because the U.S. Navy has announced that a specific group of its vessels, the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1710 Class (LCU 1710 through LCU 1721), does not fully follow international rules for navigation lights. These international rules are known as the 72 COLREGS. The Navy's legal team, called the Admiralty Counsel, has certified that because of the special design and mission of these landing craft, they cannot completely meet all the navigation light requirements without affecting their operational function. This means that if these vessels were to follow every single light rule, it would get in the way of what they are built to do as naval ships. The Navy wants mariners, or anyone operating a boat, in international waters to be aware of this exception. This notice officially informs the public that these particular Navy vessels will display their navigation lights in a way that is as close to the international rules as possible, given their special circumstances. This decision is allowed under U.S. law and an Executive Order that permits such exceptions for Navy vessels when their special construction or purpose makes full compliance impossible. This certificate became effective on August 4, 2026, but applies to events from November 14, 2025. What makes this notice particularly interesting is how it balances international maritime safety standards with the unique operational needs of military vessels. The 72 COLREGS are a global standard designed to prevent collisions at sea by ensuring all vessels display lights in a consistent way. However, this notice confirms that for certain Navy landing craft, strict adherence to these rules is not practical. The legal foundation for this exception comes from a U.S. law, 33 U.S.C. 1605, and an Executive Order. These allow the Secretary of the Navy to grant exceptions when a vessel's special construction or purpose prevents full compliance. This highlights a known challenge in maritime law where military vessels often operate under different rules due to their specific functions, which can include stealth or the ability to quickly deploy troops and equipment. The Navy's Admiralty Counsel has not just stated an exception but has also certified that even with the deviation, the lights are arranged to be as close to the international rules as possible. This approach tries to lessen the impact on other mariners while still meeting the Navy's operational needs. It shows how legal frameworks allow for flexibility in very specific circumstances, especially in the context of national defense. Many different groups of people would find this legal document highly relevant. Mariners, including commercial ship captains, recreational boaters, and anyone involved in sea travel, should be aware of this information. Knowing that certain Navy vessels might not display their navigation lights exactly as expected under international rules is important for safe navigation and collision avoidance. Professionals in the maritime industry, such as port authorities, pilots, and naval architects, would also be interested. They need to understand the regulatory framework for military vessels. Legal experts specializing in admiralty law or international law might find this notice useful for studying how national defense priorities interact with global safety regulations. Members of the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense personnel involved in vessel design, operations, or training would certainly need to be informed about this official compliance certificate for their LCU 1710 class. Finally, anyone who frequently operates in waters where these landing craft are active would benefit from understanding these specific exemptions.