Perko Stern/Transom Lights

Perko Stern & Transom Lights: Over a Century of Marine Navigation Trust

When it comes to marking the rear of your vessel safely and legally, few names carry the weight of Perko. Navigation lights were the very first products Perko produced when the company was founded in 1907, and a century later Perko remains a leader in navigation lights, now illuminated by LEDs. That kind of heritage matters when you're choosing a stern or transom light — a component that is both a legal requirement and a critical safety device on the water.

Why Stern & Transom Lights Matter

Stern and transom lights are essential marine navigation lights designed to meet U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations, providing 135° white illumination at the rear of your boat to signal direction and position during nighttime or low-visibility conditions. These lights help you see and be seen by other vessels in the dark, signaling your position and direction — and they are required by law from sunset to sunrise and in poor visibility conditions.

What Sets Perko Apart in This Category

As the first domestic manufacturer to pass UL 1104, Perko's lights can be installed on vessels over 20 meters (65.6 ft.) in length — a distinction that speaks directly to the quality and certification rigor behind every light they produce, including their stern and transom models. Perko has been guiding vessels across the globe with some of the most dependable navigation lights in the marine industry, designed to be affordable and well-made while meeting current US Coast Guard requirements.

A brass tag is permanently affixed to each certified light, indicating the type of light, catalog number, voltage, and bulb type required to meet visibility standards — and it confirms the light is classified by UL or Imanna Labs in accordance with the '72 COLREGS, serving as the only documentation needed to certify construction compliance with COLREGS and U.S. Inland Rules.

Perko also offers LED navigation lights that are more energy-efficient and durable than traditional bulbs, making their stern and transom light lineup a smart upgrade for modern boaters seeking lower power draw without sacrificing visibility or compliance.

Built in the USA, Backed by a Family Legacy

If the name Perko is on a product you bought, that product was made right here in the USA. Perko is a truly integrated manufacturer, almost completely independent of outside vendors, with complete in-house capabilities from product design through manufacturing and assembly — enabling tighter control over product quality and delivery.

All Perko small boat lights designed for use on boats built before 11/1/03 are certified under the NMMA Certification Procedure, and current models meet updated USCG and ABYC standards, giving boat owners confidence that their lighting is above reproach whether they're recreating on inland waterways or coastal waters.

Whether you're replacing a worn-out fixture or outfitting a new build, Perko stern and transom lights represent a proven, compliance-ready solution backed by more than 115 years of marine lighting expertise. Explore the full range of Perko marine products to see how this iconic brand covers virtually every lighting need aboard your vessel.