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Common Navigation Lights
- Sidelights: These red and green lights are called sidelights (also called combination lights) because they are visible to another vessel approaching from the side or head-on.
- Sternlight: This white light is seen only from behind or nearly behind the vessel.
What are navigation lights called?
A navigation light, also known as a running or position light, is a source of illumination on a vessel, aircraft or spacecraft. Navigation lights give information on a craft’s position, heading, integrates and status. Their placement is mandated by international conventions or civil authorities.
What navigation lights are you required to display?
The required lights are: Red and green sidelights visible from a distance of at least two miles away—or if less than 39.4 feet (12 meters) long, at least one mile away—on a dark, clear night. An all-round white light (if vessel is less than 39.4 feet long) or both a masthead light and a sternlight.
What lights does a tugboat display?
According to the Collision regulations an operator of a power driven vessel of more than 12 metres in length, and underway, may display, from sunset to sunrise: masthead light (white) forward, sidelights (red – green) and, sternlight (white).
Do nav lights flash?
At least one brand of 12 volt LED nav lamps will flash when powered on, off, then back on.
What are aircraft navigation lights?
Navigation Lights – Navigation lights consist of a red light on the left/port wing tip, a green light on the right/starboard wing tip and a white light on the aircraft tail. Beacon – The aircraft beacon lights are red in colour and either flash or rotate to provide a pulsating warning light.
In general, all navigation light systems include red and green sidelights, which indicate the port and starboard side of your boat, as well as one or more white lights.
Do navigation lights have to be Coast Guard approved?
When purchasing boat navigation lights, you’ll always need to ensure that they are USCG certified, this means that they meet all requirements set out by the United States Coast Guard. USCG certified lights should effectively meet USCG, ABYC and NMMA standards.
How tall should stern light be?
Your white stern light is supposed to be at least one meter above your green and red sidelights on the bow. Actually, the USCG regs say that the sidelights must be at least one meter below the stern light, but same difference.
What Colour are port and starboard lights?
Red lights are located portside, and green are starboard. The lights shine from dead ahead to 112.5º aft on either side of the vessel. On some boats, sidelights can be combined into one bicolor light.
What are the different types of navigation lights on a boat?
Position of Boat Navigation Lights Most of the variations that can be found in the different vessels can be read about in most almanacs. At the very basic level, a vessel needs to show a red light to port and green light to starboard. Depending on the size of the vessel, one or more colored or white lights are used as well.
What do the different colored lights on a navigation system mean?
In general, all navigation light systems include red and green sidelights, which indicate the port and starboard side of your boat, as well as one or more white lights.
What kind of Lights do you need for sailing?
Navigation Lights for Sailing A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters in length shall, if practicable, exhibit regular navigation lights, but if not practical, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
What are Nav lights and why are they important?
Nav lights also provide information about the size, activity, and direction of travel. By understanding the characteristics of Nav lights, you can determine an appropriate course of action as you approach another vessel.