The reminder to light up at night is one of the objectives in the NSW Maritime Safety Plan to lower serious incidents by 30 per cent by 2021 and towards zero by 2056.

NSW Maritime executive director Mark Hutchings said winter weather is a timely reminder of maintaining correct navigation lights when boating at night.

"Using navigation lights helps boaters stay safe so they can avoid hazards and exercise good judgement," said Mr Hutchings.

"(It) reminds boaters to keep a proper lookout when visibility becomes limited or reduced.

"Navigation lights also help boats be seen at night by other boaters, which is important in avoiding collisions.

"When night falls the water becomes a completely different environment. Every vessel on the water from kayaks to sailboats to super yachts needs lights in order to be seen."

Boaties are being reminded to ensure lights are not positioned too low that they can be restricted by parts of the boat.

It should also be mounted to give the skipper optimum night vision in every direction.

Navigation lights should not be obscured by a vessel's structure or mistaken for deck lights.

Mr Hutchings said many vessels were being found to not be displaying an all-round white light correctly.

"NSW Maritime's boating safety officers conduct early morning and night patrols to ensure vessels are displaying the correct lights," Mr Hutchings said.

"Boaters are required by law to display navigation lights, and the required number combination of lights varies on the size and type of the craft.

Skippers can be fined $250 for non-compliant navigation lighting in NSW or a court-imposed maximum penalty of $5500.

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