Navigation lights rules and regs requirements

[seeSimon]

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.

Yes.

Yes.

You are right, wrt small yachts...for sure...
I'm very much in the "beg forgiveness " camp on this. However, meanwhile I'm sure I can be seen (if anybody is looking) and use very little power.

Hopefully you might find some of the info in the MCA MSIS 10. Good, free, official "advice".

 

[Cerebus]

Yes.

Yes.

You are right, wrt small yachts...for sure...
I'm very much in the "beg forgiveness " camp on this. However, meanwhile I'm sure I can be seen (if anybody is looking) and use very little power.

Hopefully you might find some of the info in the MCA MSIS 10. Good, free, official "advice".

Fully understand and agree.

 

[thinwater]

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.

I have tested (for article) several lights with aftermarket bulbs. If the filament is in a different location, by even a few millimeters, the focusing lens often sends the light either into the sky of down into the water. About 1/3 were complete, 100% failures. Hardly visible either level or at some angle of heel.

If you change bulbs, view your boat from at least 500 yards away to make SURE the vertical ranges are still OK. And that is not a sure test, because you need to check for heel both ways.

 

[Cerebus]

^^This.

I have tested (for article) several lights with aftermarket bulbs. If the filament is in a different location, by even a few millimeters, the focusing lens often sends the light either into the sky of down into the water. About 1/3 were complete, 100% failures. Hardly visible either level or at some angle of heel.

If you change bulbs, view your boat from at least 500 yards away to make SURE the vertical ranges are still OK. And that is not a sure test, because you need to check for heel both ways.

From what you say aftermarket bulbs (often LED) are not only illegal but not fit for purpose.

I would not know because I refuse to buy them.

I have now made a few home built nav lights that do all that regs say they should, are very bright, consume little, are IP67 or better- don’t know how to get them certified, but I know they are better than anything I can buy (and they cost me peanuts in parts but a lot of time in research, designing and prototyping and making).

I will probably use them and be a good example to all even if not certified (a risk I take or a few risks; insurance and policing) - perhaps leave the rubbish standard nav lights available if I get hauled over.

Bit redundant as I am just a local cruiser in local (not busy waters) with an interest and new hobby and not an ocean crosser any longer.

 

[William_H]

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.

Our club run what we call twilight events every Wednesday through season Sept through to Apri on Swan River. On the cusp of the season winds are apt to drop to gentle. The rules are that you must be home by sun down 1930. It is common to need nav lights. It is also common for police to mpick up and fine any boat not showing lights. I am sure they are not fussy about compliance just must have red green and white. River is quite busy so I can't disagree with their fining people. Flat battery no excuse. ol'will

 

[Cerebus]

Our club run what we call twilight events every Wednesday through season Sept through to Apri on Swan River. On the cusp of the season winds are apt to drop to gentle. The rules are that you must be home by sun down 1930. It is common to need nav lights. It is also common for police to mpick up and fine any boat not showing lights. I am sure they are not fussy about compliance just must have red green and white. River is quite busy so I can't disagree with their fining people. Flat battery no excuse. ol'will

since many people are selling lamps or bulbs not fit for their housings, from what you say, as long as there is illumination the police don’t pull you over?

I thought the police in Oz were more lenient than UK; perhaps tv has lead me astray.

But it is pretty silly, as you say, to sail at dusk with no lights, especially with other vessels around - very bloody silly, as you say. And who goes to sea without a good battery, as you rightly say.

 

[Refueler]

I have just fitted an LED dual Port / Stbd light to front of my 38 ... replacing the standard filament light that was broken.

The amount of light from this is visually more than the previous light .. its a smaller 'up to 12m' light size .. rather than the larger light fitted before.

The light is sold as a complete unit ... accepted that its not 'certified' but I can live with that ..

 

[rogerthebodger]

I replaced the bulb s my nav lights with LED some time ago warm white in the bi and tri colour and cool white in the anchor, stern and steaming light.

They were much brighter than the original and what's more the only check the inspection authorities made was doe the light work or not and not check on any or the other requirements

 

[thinwater]

Years ago, when LEDs first came out, it made good sense to replace the bulbs, inside and out. That was decades ago. It worked fine in the cabin, and with cheaper bulbs now days, it makes even more sense.

But bulbs have always been a trouble spot outside due to corrosion. Often abrasive cleaning and a bit of grease were required for reliability. Unsealed LEDs don't like the damp either, and surely no one has bought LED fixtures in 15 years or more. And then there is the problem of bulb mismatch and problems with complience and/or performance.

At this point, I think it makes more sense just to replace the entire running/anchor light fixture with a sealed LED units. That's what I've been doing. Cheap (mostly), compliant, and very reliable. As for additional lights, truck clearance marker lights are sealed, very reliable, and cheap as chips. Visible for 3 miles (yes, I have compared them--the transport visibility rules are similar to the boat rules, at least here in the US), though obviously not for running lights due to sectors.
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Two other things that some of you know, but to others ...

• Some LEDs can interfere with radio. Check. The drivers make noise, particularly problematic at the masthead.
• The vertical sectors for
• Running and steaming lights for power boat and sailboats are different due to heel. Make sure the light are rated for sailboats (the details are in the COLREGS annex).