Lights Question

Goldie

Goldie

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The other night I saw a light configuration I hadn't seen before. The vessel displayed the appropriate lights for a power driven vessel >50m underway, but in addition, two all round reds - one either side fairly high up and in a position roughly abeam the aft steaming light - so that from ahead, I saw the 2 whites in a vertical line, the port and starboard lights and the 2 additional reds one either side of the whites and slightly below the aft white. Shortly after I passed her, the starboard (and presumably port!) and steaming lights were switched off and an additional all round red substituted above the level of the first two. The vessel was fairly large - thousands of tons rather than hundreds - and from the faint silhouette had all the superstructure forward with a long flat aft deck, similar to an oil rig support vessel perhaps. At the time she was about 10 -15nm SE of The Lizard. Any ideas please folks?
 
I wouldn't know exactly but may have something to do with the fact that she floods her stern for docking of landing craft. Also being an RFA she may have explosives on board hence the all round reds.
 
Two reds to one side would be a trawler with her nets caught, which seems unlikely.

Could it be not under command which might apply if she was launching something out he stern dock?
 
I've been trying to work it out - unsuccessfully!
The closest I came was "Vessel Restricted in Her Ability To Maneuver conducting underwater operations where an obstruction exists" which is illustrated towards the bottom of page http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/lights.php It actually looks more like a Christmas tree!
Two all round reds or two all round greens, offset from the midline, presumably mean a hazard on that side of the ship. Difficult to know that they are "all round", though.
 
The 2 all round reds were masthead obstruction lights - used to identify the top of the mast and superstructure when operating with aircraft in a similar way to the lights you see on top of cranes and bridges etc. They are fitted to all UK military vessels and you will sometimes see warships and auxiliaries (incorrectly!) displaying them alongside in a naval base. Not sure about the other red you mention though?

Rob
 
I gave up trying to learn the lights as anytime I see any nav lights at night it's either:

a. Another yacht.

b. Something else with so much deck lighting that you can't make out any other lights that may or may not be shining....
 
uxb said:
I gave up trying to learn the lights as anytime I see any nav lights at night it's either:

b. Something else with so much deck lighting that you can't make out any other lights that may or may not be shining....
Click to expand...

I did ,y yacht master without realising i needed a prescription for glasses. I had the same problem. Now tho, its easy.

As for the question, sounds like vessel that is displayng a 'no go zone' red on port (day shapes two vertical balls) and green (day t pme two vertical diamonds)
 
uxb said:
b. Something else with so much deck lighting that you can't make out any other lights that may or may not be shining....
Click to expand...

Agree that it's often difficult to make out the special lights on a "minesweeper constrained by its draft with divers down and towing a hovercraft, restricted in its ability to manoeuvre", and somewhat unnecessary as with anything involving complicated work it's best to just keep well clear regardless.

But the basic ship, trawler, pilot boat, etc lights I have always seen plainly enough. If you can't, then perhaps as James suggested it would be worth having an eye test? Some conditions affect only night vision.

Pete
 
prv said:
Agree that it's often difficult to make out the special lights on a "minesweeper constrained by its draft with divers down and towing a hovercraft, restricted in its ability to manoeuvre", and somewhat unnecessary as with anything involving complicated work it's best to just keep well clear regardless.

But the basic ship, trawler, pilot boat, etc lights I have always seen plainly enough. If you can't, then perhaps as James suggested it would be worth having an eye test? Some conditions affect only night vision.

Pete
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with distance , reading in anything less than bright light is though. ( got an eye test soon so that might throw something up)

The problem is that anything commercial at night has so much deck lighting that nav lights are lost in the blaze...
 
uxb said:
The problem is that anything commercial at night has so much deck lighting that nav lights are lost in the blaze...
Click to expand...

All I can say is that that's not been my experience with typical tankers, bulkers, box-boats etc in the Channel and the Solent. Sidelights on the bridge superstructure and masthead lights fore and aft, all visible as required.

Pete
 
prv said:
All I can say is that that's not been my experience with typical tankers, bulkers, box-boats etc in the Channel and the Solent. Sidelights on the bridge superstructure and masthead lights fore and aft, all visible as required.

Pete
Click to expand...

Ah well, you see. I don't, and never will again, sail in the Solent and doubt very much if I'd want to sail in the channel.

I see some fishing boats, some yachts and maybe the odd coaster and if I'm really lucky (!) an occasional passenger or war ship. ( warships are OK- they are always in darkness apart from the nav lights.)

Fishing boats are the worst, just a blaze of lights at night and some very erratic behaviour during the day...
 
Thanks all, but nothing matches up. As suggested elsewhere, the good thing about warships is that the lights are clear and the rest of the ship in darkness so I had a clear view and plenty of time to study. The all round reds on opposite sides are the stumbling block for me. FWIW I asked an ex RN colleague who used to be the Captain of a frigate - he didn't know either! The suggestion of aviation obstruction lights is valid but the all round reds were lower than the aft steaming light - surely obs lights would be at the highest point (and possibkly less intense too)? In the hour or so that the ship was in clear sight and earshot, no flying operations took place. hey ho, another mystery :)
 
Here's a pretty good image of RFA Mounts Bay in harbour, with the "aircraft warning lights" visible. Not sure how much it adds to the debate, though!
showphoto.aspx
 
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