Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

[alan006]

If I understand the situation correctly the casing around the Port and Starboard lights is normally painted a mat black for two reasons. It shields the light from shinning outside its sector and mat black provides the best contrast to see the light when its turned on.
On some old boats I have seen the Port casing painted Red and the Starboard casing painted green. Am I right in assuming that in the old days the convention was to use red and green and the current use of mat black is relatively modern?
If this assumption is correct is there any problem in using red and green on an old boat?

 

[ccscott49]

Maritime law now states matt black, but I've seen plenty of boats with red/green and why not for a classic older, smaller boat!

 

[Peterduck]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

I have a good chuckle about this one. Yes, You're correct that the move to a matt black face for navigation light boxes is a recent one. It is clearly the result of foggy thinking in Brussels or Whitehall, or somewhere like that. During the day the lights are not used, and the colour of the surround is immaterial, but during the night, when they are used, who can see what colour the surround is? Hello? Is anyone at home?
Peter.

 

[Coomkeen]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

I agree.
What a load of b..... errr... bilge.

 

[johnchampion]

For many years the requirement for merchant shipping has been matt black. While the colour can't be seen at night the background colour can effect the visible charcteristics of the light - I don't have a clue about the optometry of this so don't ask!

Many smaller boats are seen with coloured sight boards I agree but they should be matt black according to the regs.
Apart from looking pretty why would you want then to be coloured anyway - it's not that difficult to remember port and starboard is it? Although perhaps it's to help those who may have had a tot of rum too many?

 

[alan006]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

My guess is the regulations must have changed in the late 1970's or early 1980's because the old Trinity House pilot boat I am restoring still had its boxes painted Red and Green and came out of service about then.
Does this sound about right?
Or was it more recent than that?

 

[johnchampion]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

Probably changed when the 72 regs came into force as the 65 ones just specify a screen projecting at least 3 feet forward of the light and do not mention colours within the body of the rules. At this time of course it was not unusual to find oil lamps still used on occaision and large ships would have back up oil lamps which were quite often mounted alongside, or rather above or below, the new fangled electrickery ones.
In the 72 regs matt black screens are mentioned and if you really want to win an anorak there is much mention in the annexes of chromacity and the like (Gawd help us) which you can study. I somehow feel the standard issue seaman just might not spend too much time perusing these annex directives and if he did wouldn't have a clue what they meant, I know I don't.

 

[alan006]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

Thanks for the info, John.
What I'm thinking about was, as I'm restoring the old girl, if I should keep the red and green backing so it looks as as she did in service or take the view to go matt black to meet the currrent regulations.
What I didn't want to do was use matt black and have someone say I'd got her wrong for the period look. Still I suppose I could get my wrists slapped if I don't use matt black.

 

[Peterduck]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

When I fitted the light boards to my old 1917 ketch I painted them red and green, as I was not planning to get her 'into survey' for chartering. The period look was more important to me than the latest regs.
Peter.

 

[Coomkeen]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

Haven't read the regs. Who does?
But it may say the lamp holders have to be mat black.
Nothing stopping you mounting the mat black lamp holders on red and green boards in that case.

Just a thought.

Ron

 

[johnchampion]

Re: Port & Starboard Lamp Holders

[ QUOTE ]
Haven't read the regs. Who does?

Ron - I'll try to remember that if I ever see you heading towards me and I'm the stand on vessel!

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But it may say the lamp holders have to be mat black.
Nothing stopping you mounting the mat black lamp holders on red and green boards in that case.

I guess you could have sky blue pink lamp holders and noone would mind - the regs apply to the screens.



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