What Type of Ship Requires Boat Navigation Lights
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On the vast oceans, rushing rivers and tranquil lakes, ships cannot sail without the guidance of navigation lights. Boat navigation lights are not only an important sign for ships to sail at night or in low visibility, but also a key basis for ships to identify each other, judge navigation dynamics and take avoidance measures, playing a vital role in ensuring the safety of ship navigation.
Types of Boats That Require Navigation Lights
Almost all ships sailing on oceans, rivers, lakes and other waters need to install boat navigation lights. Whether it is a large ocean-going cargo ship, luxury cruise ship, or a small inland passenger ship, fishing boat, sailboat, etc., as long as it is sailing on the water, it must be equipped with corresponding navigation lights in accordance with relevant regulations. These navigation lights provide clear visual signals for ships in different waters and navigation conditions, helping ships to safely shuttle on the water.
| Vessel Type | Segmentation | Explanation |
| Motor boat | Large ocean-going cargo ships | A complete navigation light system must be equipped, including front and rear mast lights, port and starboard lights, tail lights, etc., to enable effective visual signal communication with other ships at night or in low visibility. |
| Inland power boats | Motor vessels sailing in inland rivers, lakes and other waters, such as cargo ships and passenger ships on the Yangtze River, Pearl River and other water systems, also need to be equipped with boat navigation lights in accordance with relevant regulations to ensure navigation safety in the complex water environment of inland rivers. | |
| Small power boats | For motor vessels less than 12 meters in length, such as small fishing boats and speedboats, although their navigation lights are relatively simplified, they are still required to display the corresponding basic navigation lights such as red and green sidelights and white taillights in accordance with regulations. | |
| Non-motorized vessels | Sailboats | Whether it is a sailboat for competition or leisure, in order to be recognized by other ships at night or in poor visibility, and to ensure the safety of itself and other ships, it is also necessary to install corresponding navigation lights. |
| Man-powered boats | For example, small rowing boats and sampans, although they have less power, they also need to display basic navigation lights in accordance with regulations when sailing at night to avoid collisions with other ships. | |
| Special purpose vessels | Engineering boats | For example, dredgers, crane ships, etc., need to display a specific combination of lights when performing water construction operations to indicate their operating status and remind other ships to avoid them. |
| Pilot boats | Pilot boats used to guide large ships in and out of ports need to display specific pilot boat lights so that other ships can quickly identify their identity and purpose. | |
| Dangerous cargo ships | Ships carrying flammable, explosive, toxic and other dangerous goods need to display a red halo light at the cross-extension of the mast when sailing, mooring, loading and unloading to warn other ships to pay attention to safety. | |
| Tugboats and push boats | Tugboats or push boats need to display specific towing lights, which are installed on the same vertical line as the taillights, with yellow on the top and white on the bottom, to indicate that they are towing or pushing operations. | |
| Cross-river ferries | Ferries crossing rivers display a green ring light at each end of the mast at night to distinguish them from other types of ships. |
Boat Navigation Lights Rules
The use and installation of ship navigation lights must strictly comply with relevant international conventions, domestic regulations and professional standards. For example, the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs) clearly stipulates the display mode, location, visibility distance, etc. of ship signal lights. China also has corresponding regulations such as the “Specifications for Signal Equipment of Seagoing Vessels” and the “Regulations for Preventing Collisions of the People’s Republic of China” to regulate navigation lights.
Motor Boat Navigation Lights Rules
Light types and display requirements
Unless otherwise specified, a single motor vessel should display a white mast light, a red and green boat lights, and a white taillight when sailing. Motor vessels with a length of more than 50 meters should also display another white mast light on the rear mast. Fast ships must display a yellow flashing light both during the day and at night to distinguish them.
Visible distance of lights
Depending on the length and type of the ship, navigation lights need to be visible within a certain distance. For example, for ships with a length of 50 meters and above, the mast lights should be visible for 6 nautical miles, and the side lights and tail lights should be visible for 3 nautical miles; for ships with a length of 12 meters and above but less than 50 meters, the mast lights should be visible for 5 nautical miles (for ships with a length of less than 20 meters, the mast lights can be visible for 3 nautical miles), and the side lights and tail lights should be visible for 2 nautical miles; for ships with a length of less than 12 meters, the mast lights should be visible for 2 nautical miles, the side lights should be visible for 1 nautical mile, and the tail lights should be visible for 2 nautical miles.
The display range of lights
the masthead light should be displayed within a horizontal arc of 225 degrees (from the front of the ship to 22.5 degrees behind the beam on each side); the sidelights should be displayed within a horizontal arc of 112.5 degrees (from the front of the ship to 22.5 degrees behind the beam on each side); the sternlight should be displayed within a horizontal arc of 135 degrees (from the rear of the ship to 67.5 degrees on each side).
Sailing Boat Navigation Lights Rules
Light Types and Display Requirements
Sailing vessels, such as sailboats and human-powered boats, need to show corresponding lights as required to be identified correctly when encountering other vessels. Sailboats under way should display sidelights and a stern light, plus an all-around white light. For sailboats less than 12 meters long, the required lights can be combined into one, placed at or near the masthead. Human-powered boats, like rowboats and sampans, though small, must also show basic navigation lights at night to avoid collisions.
Light Visibility Distance
Depending on the length and type, non-motorized vessels’ navigation lights must be visible within certain distances. For example, non-motorized vessels of 12 meters and above but less than 50 meters in length should have a mast light visible for 5 nautical miles (3 nautical miles for vessels less than 20 meters in length), and sidelights and stern light visible for 2 nautical miles. For non-motorized vessels less than 12 meters in length, the mast light should be visible for 2 nautical miles, sidelights for 1 nautical mile, and stern light for 2 nautical miles.
Light Display Range
The mast light of non-motorized vessels should be displayed within a 225-degree horizontal arc (from directly ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side). Sidelights should be displayed within a 112.5-degree horizontal arc (from directly ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side). The stern light should be displayed within a 135-degree horizontal arc (from directly astern to 67.5 degrees abaft the beam on each side).
Special Boat Navigation Lights Rules
Some special-purpose vessels, such as engineering vessels, patrol boats, beacon boats, dangerous goods ships, etc., in addition to displaying the lights of general ships, are also required to display specific lights according to the nature and characteristics of their operations. For example, when an engineering vessel is working on a construction site, it will display a specific combination of all-round lights; when a dangerous goods ship is sailing, moored, or loading and unloading, it is necessary to display a red all-round light at the cross-body of the mast. When a pilot boat is performing pilotage tasks, it will display two all-round lights vertically at or near the top of the mast, with the upper one white and the lower one red. Vessels engaged in fishing, whether they are sailing or anchored, should only display the prescribed lights and shapes, such as two all-round lights vertically, with the upper one red and the lower one white, or a shape consisting of two cones vertically placed up and down with the tips butted together. Vessels out of control should display two all-round red lights vertically in the most visible place.
The Different Colors of Navigation Lights & Their Meanings
Red and Green Lights on Boats
Red and green sidelights are installed on the port and starboard sides of the ship to indicate the left and right directions of the ship. The red light is installed on the port side and the green light is installed on the starboard side. They each display uninterrupted lights within a horizontal arc of 112.5 degrees. The installation should make the lights display from the front of the ship to 22.5 degrees behind the beam of each side. When sailing at night, by observing the color of the other ship’s sidelights, you can judge its sailing direction and take corresponding avoidance measures.
White taillights
The taillight is a white light installed in the center of the stern. It displays uninterrupted light within a 135-degree horizontal arc. The device should display the light within 67.5 degrees from the rear of the ship to each side. The taillight is mainly used to indicate the rear position of the ship, helping the rear ship to judge the course and distance of the front ship to avoid rear-end collisions.
White Masthead Light
Masthead lights are usually installed above the mast of a ship or above the centerline of the bow and stern. They are white lights that display uninterrupted light within a horizontal arc of 225 degrees. They should be installed so that the light is displayed from the front of the ship to 22.5 degrees behind each side. Masthead lights are one of the important navigation signs of ships. They are used to show the existence and general outline of the ship and help other ships find and identify it at a long distance.
Yellow Towing Lights
The towing light is a yellow light with the same characteristics as the stern light. It is usually used for tugboats or push boats. It is installed on the same vertical line as the stern light, with yellow on the top and white on the bottom. It is used to indicate that the ship is towing or pushing operations, and to remind other ships to avoid it.
All-round Lights
An all-round light is a signal light that displays uninterrupted light within a horizontal arc of 360 degrees. All-round lights of different colors and numbers are used to indicate special states or uses of ships. For example, two red all-round lights displayed vertically indicate that the ship is out of control; the pilot boat will display two all-round lights, white on the top and red on the bottom.
Different ships need different boat navigation lights based on their environment, function, and regulations. Navigation lights provide clear visual signals at night or in low visibility, helping ships sail safely. They are crucial for ship identification, navigation judgment, and collision avoidance. Thus, they are key to ensuring ship and water traffic safety.
