Navigation lights rules and regs requirements

[Cerebus]

I want to make my own nav lights; bright, clear cut offs etc

I want to observe rules and regs for insurance purposes. I have used AI searches but not found the rules and regs.

I am worried about reflection upon water not meeting the correct angles of visibility; should I worry about water reflection?

I am worried that superstructure will reflect lights at incorrect angles also (I have seen this on many vessels, even super yachts). Does that break rules and regs.

Can anyone post a link or even better précis the rules and regs I must follow?

I have just finished night classes (interesting but costly) about LEDs and suchlike and am keen to get my teeth into a project to keep me occupied and perhaps leading to a business?

I have seen Wally vessels with poor nav light that are obscured at times, so if they can get it wrong I hope I can create something that is functional and fool proof AND meets all regs; in other words produce something that does the job very well and better than off the shelf products.

 

[cpedw]

Everything you might ever want to know about nav lights is in Annex 1 of IRPCS. A precis is beyond me.
AFAIK there are no rules about reflections from either water or superstructure but these exist and can be troublesome.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Fill your boots. Type Approved Navigation Lights are available off the shelf at competitive prices, that work and meet all the requirements. Good luck with your endeavours.

 

[rogerthebodger]

The issue I had is where I moored my boat was the tugs speeding about the harbour backwards with the stern light going forward and the side lights pointing aft

Also consider that nav lights are generally use a frenal lens to focus the light in to a narrow beam

 

[Refueler]

Everything you might ever want to know about nav lights is in Annex 1 of IRPCS. A precis is beyond me.
AFAIK there are no rules about reflections from either water or superstructure but these exist and can be troublesome.

Merchant ships have their nav lights within matt black surroundings to reduce reflected and scattered light.

If you look at larger boats such as trawlers - especially those with sails - the light boards set into rigging ... all matt black.

Its also interesting that those matt black housings have a cut-off piece screwed in the fwd end - that enhances the light cut-off ...

Lights on yachts are actually very poor in cut off ... because they are fitted without such additions.... especially the Dual P + S bow lights.

For ages I have considered taking two standard Port and Stbd lights .... putting together with an extended fwd separator plate .. to enhance cut-off.

 

[Cerebus]

Merchant ships have their nav lights within matt black surroundings to reduce reflected and scattered light.

If you look at larger boats such as trawlers - especially those with sails - the light boards set into rigging ... all matt black.

Its also interesting that those matt black housings have a cut-off piece screwed in the fwd end - that enhances the light cut-off ...

Lights on yachts are actually very poor in cut off ... because they are fitted without such additions.... especially the Dual P + S bow lights.

For ages I have considered taking two standard Port and Stbd lights .... putting together with an extended fwd separator plate .. to enhance cut-off.

I know what you mean.

Thames barges have similar wooden housings for their nav lights.

 

[William_H]

Nav lights on a private boat are an interesting question. I understand your desire to build your own. However commercial units can be reasonably cheap and generally better at water proofing. If you have a sail boat then you need to be aware of radiation pattern when heeled. So Fresnel lense not a good idea but LED bulbs pointing up and down as well as in the right azimuth plane are necessary. Not such a concern with mobo.
For the stern light I found the LED COB light like this LED COB Chip 10W 20W 30W 50W 70W 100W Cool/Warm White 12V/36V for Floodlight NEW | eBay
Very much provides close to regulation radiation pattern.. (claimed on the basis of seeing an expensive compliant stern light that hadone of these in the middle with not very effective shading around it.) So I have one just sitting ona peice of ali clamped top stern rail. Very bright No concern re heeling radiation pattern. ol'will

 

[Cerebus]

Nav lights on a private boat are an interesting question. I understand your desire to build your own. However commercial units can be reasonably cheap and generally better at water proofing. If you have a sail boat then you need to be aware of radiation pattern when heeled. So Fresnel lense not a good idea but LED bulbs pointing up and down as well as in the right azimuth plane are necessary. Not such a concern with mobo.
For the stern light I found the LED COB light like this LED COB Chip 10W 20W 30W 50W 70W 100W Cool/Warm White 12V/36V for Floodlight NEW | eBay
Very much provides close to regulation radiation pattern.. (claimed on the basis of seeing an expensive compliant stern light that hadone of these in the middle with not very effective shading around it.) So I have one just sitting ona peice of ali clamped top stern rail. Very bright No concern re heeling radiation pattern. ol'will

I have used those cobs. They are great and cheap. I mainly used the 10w ones; so cheap.

I even used a 50W one or possibly larger (not on a boat) and had to use a lot of cooling.

Trouble is they are pretty omni directional.

So I experimented with lenses.

Thanks

 

[ShaneO]

I have the NASA Supernova nav and anchor light up top, and it insists repeatedly in documentation that it’s only for boats up to 12m long, but doesn’t explain why. Mine’s 12.7 but I obviously haven’t told the light that. Anybody know what that length restriction is about?

 

[Refueler]

I have the NASA Supernova nav and anchor light up top, and it insists repeatedly in documentation that it’s only for boats up to 12m long, but doesn’t explain why. Mine’s 12.7 but I obviously haven’t told the light that. Anybody know what that length restriction is about?

Minimum Visibility Range​

• Boats less than 12m (39.4'), sidelights must be visible for at least 1nm. All other lights must be visible for at least 2nm.
• Boats less than 20m (65.7'), a masthead light must be visible for 3nm. All other lights must be visible for 2nm.
• Boat over 20m (65.7') and less than 50m (164') must display a masthead light visible for 5nm. All other lights must be visible for 2nm.

 

[Never Grumble]

Merchant ships have their nav lights within matt black surroundings to reduce reflected and scattered light.

If you look at larger boats such as trawlers - especially those with sails - the light boards set into rigging ... all matt black.

Its also interesting that those matt black housings have a cut-off piece screwed in the fwd end - that enhances the light cut-off ...

Lights on yachts are actually very poor in cut off ... because they are fitted without such additions.... especially the Dual P + S bow lights.

For ages I have considered taking two standard Port and Stbd lights .... putting together with an extended fwd separator plate .. to enhance cut-off.

I suspect that part of the reason is that the lights on that merchant vessel and trawler are for longer range and hence the reflected light would be greater in brightness. I remember being involved in the checking warship nav light cut offs but that was done with a theodolite and in dry dock.

 

[thinwater]

In the US nav lights must be USCG listed. No making your own allowed. I always through that was weird, but now seeing some of the poop on Amazon, the logic seems more clear. Required lights for automobiles must be Department of Transportation certified.

That said, some of the lights are not practically commercially available. For example diving lights (red/white/red) and sailing vessel (red over green) are very hard to find and quite easily made from LED truck marker lights. Just read the rules/annex carefully.

This is the US interpretation (your can find COLREGS on-line), but it is basically the same (except for inland rules) and the illutrations may help you.
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/navRules/navrules.pdf

 

[seeSimon]

In the UK?

Google MCA "instructions for the guidance of surveyors" also known as MSIS 10.

THERE are also several different MCA MGNs depending on vessel type and use.

Good explanations of applications of IRPCS to light fittings and their usage.

Approvals process included in above.
I doubt you'd find that worthwhile? And then there's all the "Wheelmark" bollox too nowadays.

 

[seeSimon]

Merchant ships have their nav lights within matt black surroundings to reduce reflected and scattered light.

I know what you mean.

Thames barges have similar wooden housings for their nav lights.

These mounts are known as "chocks".

 

[seeSimon]

I have used those cobs. They are great and cheap. I mainly used the 10w ones; so cheap.

I even used a 50W one or possibly larger (not on a boat) and had to use a lot of cooling.

Trouble is they are pretty omni directional.

So I experimented with lenses.

Thanks

Strictly speaking it's not even "legal " to change away from the approved bulb type as fitted to approved light fittings by the manufacturers.
Hence those weird aquasignal bulbs...and the ludicrous prices.

 

[seeSimon]

Boatlamps - Marine LED bulbs and replacement lamps for all boats

This fella is a good source for small craft...bulbs and info.

No connx. But satisfied customer.

I changed my aquasignal fore steaming light to his LED version.
Well worth doing.

 

[seeSimon]

Strictly speaking it's not even "legal " to change away from the approved bulb type as fitted to approved light fittings by the manufacturers.
Hence those weird aquasignal bulbs...and the ludicrous prices.

This can be a very real issue during recertification survey of small commercial craft such as FVs tugs etc.

 

[Cerebus]

Strictly speaking it's not even "legal " to change away from the approved bulb type as fitted to approved light fittings by the manufacturers.
Hence those weird aquasignal bulbs...and the ludicrous prices.

I hear you.

But trust me, after the night classes and reading rules and regs, and being a perfectionist (or anally retentive!) anything I have made, I have made well and complied with etc.

The cobs I mention to Old Will were not used on a boat, they are very good LEDs for peanuts however, if used in correct circumstances (I made my own house flood lights, as an example).

 

[Cerebus]

Boatlamps - Marine LED bulbs and replacement lamps for all boats

This fella is a good source for small craft...bulbs and info.

No connx. But satisfied customer.

I changed my aquasignal fore steaming light to his LED version.
Well worth doing.

I have seen his website. The prices are what they are is all I will say. I used to use a different supplier that I found cheaper and the lights never failed (those boats have now been sold, possibly with the lamps and lights still working).

I have learned how to make ‘bulbs’ that have no emf interference, built in heat triggered ‘fuses’ (circuit breakers), heat sinks added, perfect cut off angles to the single degree… I will stop there - it became a great hobby almost to obsessive nature (being retired means hobbies are required).

It has been a fun distraction; cheap and creating totally waterproof (easily IP7; I do not have apparatus to test at depth pressures… yet, if ever I can be bothered or afford).

 

[Cerebus]

Boatlamps - Marine LED bulbs and replacement lamps for all boats

This fella is a good source for small craft...bulbs and info.

No connx. But satisfied customer.

I changed my aquasignal fore steaming light to his LED version.
Well worth doing.

Post 15 you state not legal to change bulb but post 16 you state you have changed.

A little confused, but not fussed, sailors don’t fuss!

Fortunately as sailors we do not get pulled over by the police very often.