N.Y. Nav. Law § 42

§ 42. Searchlights; unlawful to flash. Any licensed master, pilot,\njoint pilot and engineer or operator, who shall flash or cause to be\nflashed, the rays of a searchlight into the pilot house or into the eyes\nof the master, pilot, or operator of an approaching vessel shall be\nliable to have his license revoked. Any person committing such act\nshall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in section\nseventy-three-b of this article. Searchlights shall not be known as\nnavigating lights.\n