http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90b-5.htm
I didn't realize even my 11 ft skiff needs lights
Chapter 90B: Section 5. Classes of motorboats; required lighting, signaling and fire extinguishing and control devices
Section 5. (a) Motorboats subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be divided into four classes as follows:—
Class A. Less than sixteen feet in length.
Class 1. Sixteen feet or over and less than twenty-six feet in length.
Class 2. Twenty-six feet or over and less than forty feet in length.
Class 3. Forty feet or over.
(b) Every motorboat in all weathers from sunset to sunrise shall carry and exhibit the following lights when underway, and during such time no other lights which may be mistaken for those prescribed shall be exhibited.
(1) Every motorboat of classes A and 1 shall carry the following lights:—
First. A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon.
Second. A combined lantern in the fore part of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to two points abaft the beam on their respective sides.
I guess he was worried about your safety Bob
They have seatbelt laws for the same reason
but you have a point, a warning might have been the way to go.