On the vast ocean, ships need to use lights to ensure the safety of navigation. The navigation signal lights of ships are to facilitate other ships to find the ship and indicate the navigation dynamics of the ship. Therefore, ship signal lights are crucial to the safety of ship navigation.
Classification of Navigation Signal Lights
- There is a mast light in front of the bow; (white)
- The second mast light at the rear is located behind the front mast light and higher than the front mast light (the vertical height difference is at least 4.5 meters; ships with a length of less than 50 meters are not required to display this mast light); (white)
- Two side lights; (the starboard light is red and the port light is green)
- Stern light. (white)
Display mode of navigation signal lights - Heading light: A light set above the mast of the ship or above the center line of the bow and stern, showing uninterrupted light within a horizontal arc of 225 degrees. The device should display the light within a range of 22.5 degrees on both sides from the bow to the stern.
- Side lights: red light on the port side and green light on the starboard side, respectively, on the left and right sides of the highest deck of the ship, and continuously display lights within a horizontal arc of 112.5 degrees from the bow to the stern. The device should make the lights display within 22.5 degrees from the bow to the rear of the ship’s midship.
- Stern light: a white light located in the center of the stern. The light surface is a 135-degree horizontal arc, displayed continuously, and the light surface should be located within 67.5 degrees from the rear of the ship to the left and right sides. The height of the mast light should be as flush as possible with the side lights, but not higher than the side lights.
Use of lights in other situations - When anchoring: only the anchor light (white all-round light) is displayed.
- Out-of-control ship: In addition to the side lights and stern lights (turned off when not sailing against the current), two vertical all-round red lights should be displayed in the most conspicuous place.
- Vessels with limited draft: In addition to the side lights, stern lights, and mast lights, three vertical all-round lights must be displayed in the most conspicuous place.
- Stranded ship: two vertical red lights are on.
In addition to these common situations, there are also sailboats, ships engaged in towing operations, ships with limited maneuverability, and ships engaged in fishing operations… all have corresponding navigation signal lights display methods.
