Navy showing no Lights at Night?

[MASH]

The strobe thread has got me wondering if it is legal for the Navy to swan around at night in complete darkness. I can't see anything in the regs that says so, but it is clearly desireable for some operational reasons.

Last autumn I encountered a frigate moseying around between Marmaris and Rhodos on a moonless night. I only knew he was there because he occulted the lights of another vessel, but later I could hear him. He was almost certainly looking out for people smugglers, but even so...he certainly had a good look at me.

 

[Athene V30]

It won't be in any regs but who is going to stop them? There will usually be an exercise notice posted somewhere telling you it might happen.

I can remember excercises in North Atlantic running around in an Aircraft Carrier without lights or radar. The only time we would put some lights on was to recover aircraft and we would just squirt radar over a small sector astern to 'talk down' the sea harriers.

I wouldn't be too worried as they will keep a better watch than most others and if running dark will avoid you.

 

[futurama]

There was a post about a week ago almost identical to yours, I think it was an Italian navy ship.

 

[shmoo]

[ QUOTE ]

I can't see anything in the regs


[/ QUOTE ]

Try this (my bold):
[ QUOTE ]

(e) Whenever the Government concerned shall have determined that a vessel of special construction or purpose cannot comply fully with the provisions of any of these Rules with respect to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, without interfering with the special function of the vessel, such vessel shall comply with such other provisions in regard to the number, position, range or arc of visibility of lights or shapes, as well as to the disposition and characteristics of sound-signalling appliances, as her Government shall have determined to be the closest possible compliance with these Rules in respect to that vessel.


[/ QUOTE ]

This looks to me like its intended for vessels with the special purpose of creeping up on folks and doing unpleasant things to them. As determined by the Government, of course...

 

[William_H]

We have a kind of military base nearby where they have those high powered RIBs for landings anti terrorist or whatever. I have met them on the river at night with no lights or just a dim red light at stern so they can follow one another. Yes I have tried to ram them at night in sail boat under the guise of tacking but alas they were too quick for me.
Generally they are weekend warriors out for a bit of fun funded by the government.

Which reminds me of the day they took out some armoured troop carriers that were "amphibious" It was a bit blowy and they managed to sink both vehicles in 15 metres of water.
They might be great at shooting but not necesarily good sailors.
olewill