{"id":1802,"date":"2018-03-19T10:41:05","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T17:41:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/?p=1802"},"modified":"2020-10-29T01:02:51","modified_gmt":"2020-10-29T08:02:51","slug":"navigation-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tradewindssailing.com\/wordpress\/general\/navigation-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigation Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"

I had a question come up yesterday that got me thinking.\u00a0 The Coast Guard Auxiliary was conducting safety inspections on the club’s boats, and were having difficulty locating the navigation lights\u00a0required under the COLREGS Navigation Rules for one of the boats.\u00a0 Specifically, they were not able to find the stern light.\u00a0 I was able to do a bit of research, locate the offending light, and get the boat signed off.\u00a0 However, as I said, it got me thinking that now might be a good time to refresh everyone on required lights and when them might be needed. To start the discussion off,\u00a0RULE 20<\/strong> states in part:<\/p>\n

Application<\/strong>
\n(a) Rules in this Part shall be complied with in all weathers.
\n(b) The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>sunrise,<\/strong><\/em> and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except\u00a0such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or\u00a0do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the\u00a0keeping of a proper look-out.
\n(c) The lights prescribed by these Rules shall, if carried, also be exhibited\u00a0from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility<\/strong><\/em> and may be exhibited in all other circumstances when it is deemed necessary. (Emphasis added.)<\/p>\n

The international definition of Sunset is the point in time the top edge, or limb, of the sun disappears below the horizon (or goes behind the land masses surrounding the bay.)\u00a0 There is still a lot of light to see by for the next half hour or so, however, the sun has set, and navigation lights must be on.\u00a0 For the purpose of this tip, we will call that time period “night”.\u00a0 Sunrise would then be the point in time the top limb of the sun becomes visible on the horizon.\u00a0 Basically, section (b) required navigation lights from sunset to sunrise, in all weather conditions.<\/p>\n

Now that we have that clear, just what are the proper lights?\u00a0 That depends on a number of factors, including vessel size, type of propulsion, job function, and maneuverability restrictions.\u00a0 Covering every eventuality is outside the scope of this tip, however, I hope to cover the more common situations you may run into as a club member.\u00a0 There is a great deal of additional information available in the ColRegs, which can be accessed using this hyperlink
\nhttps:\/\/www.navcen.uscg.gov\/pdf\/navRules\/navrules.pdf
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Every vessel 7 meters in length (about 23′) or greater, during required hours and situations, must display a basic light pattern which we will discuss later.\u00a0 Vessels less than 7 meters may display the same light pattern, or, may use a white light.\u00a0 Either an all round white light, or a flashlight that that can be pointed in the appropriate direction may be used.<\/p>\n

Wow, we are finally at a place we can start discussing actual navigation lights.\u00a0 The basic light pattern required of nearly all vessels includes a red sidelight on the port side, a green sidelight on the starboard side, and a white light mounted as close as possible to the stern, and facing aft.\u00a0 The definition of each type of light is found in Rule 21.\u00a0 Each sidelight must be visible for 112.5 degrees, from straight ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam.\u00a0 The stern light must be visible for 135 degrees, starting at 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on one side, and continuing around the stern to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on the other side.\u00a0 The combination of these three lights makes a 360 degree circle of light around the vessel.\u00a0 On any vessel 20 meters (39’+) or greater, all three lights must be separate from the others.\u00a0 on a vessel less than 20 meters, the side lights may be combined as a single lantern, or all three lights may be joined together in a single lantern (known as a “tricolor” … there is an important note about use of a tricolor later in this tip)<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Once this basic light pattern has been established, additional lights are added based upon vessel type, job function, maneuverability, and size.\u00a0 A power driven vessel adds a white “masthead” light visible over a 225 degree arc from 22.5 degrees abaft the beam around the front to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam.\u00a0 The masthead light (also known as a steaming light) must be higher than the sidelights, and when added to the stern light completes a 360 degree circle of white light around the vessel.\u00a0 Any power driven vessel 50 meters or longer, must add a second masthead light aft of, and higher than the previous masthead light.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Some other light patterns you might see:<\/p>\n