Understanding the Importance

of Marine Navigation Lighting

As with all modes of transport, the lighting systems used by the night are imperative
to the vehicle’s safety. Ships, being enormous constructs, needs lighting systems
too! In fact, the lighting system in place for a vessel is integral to the safe navigation
of the vessel; in fact, it is one of THE MOST important aspects of nautical studies
emphasised on in college as well as for competency exams.

The primary function of marine navigation lights is to aid prevention of any major
accident from happening. All boats – whether big or small are required to have night
lights as a part of the navigation systems. This system was introduced in the year
1838 by the United States and then was followed by the United Kingdom in 1849. In
the year 1889, the International Maritime Conference was established by the United
States to establish proper guidelines to prevent marine accidents. In the year 1897,
these rules were officially adopted internationally. The colour of the lights that were
required to be used as specified by a set of rules passed in the UK. On the basis of
this rule, three colours were chosen: red, green and white. Even today, the marine
navigation lighting consists of these three colours.
 Credits: qld.gov.au
There is a pattern in which these lights are set up on the ships and boats in
conjunction with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)
Buoyage Systems. The pattern can be explained below:

 There is a light at the right-hand side of the boat (right side when facing the
bow of the vessel known as the starboard side) which is green in colour.
 There is a light at the left-hand side of the boat (left side when facing the bow
of the vessel is known as the port side) which is red in colour.

Both the sidelights show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5
degrees such that from right ahead it can be viewed to 22.5 degrees shaft on either
side.

 A white light is also placed at the back of the boat (known as the stern
side). This shows an unbroken light over an arc of horizon of 135 degrees
and fixed to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side
 The mast of the boat also has to have night lights. The colour of this light is
white. Two mastheads lights are in place, with the second one shaft of and
higher than the first, when the length of the vessel is greater than 50
metres. Shows an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees
and so fixed to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft on
either side

Lights aren’t just to indicate one’s own status as a vessel for identification by other
vessels in the vicinity but also vice versa. It is probably the most important aspect
when complying with COLREGS in order to ascertain the status of any vessel in
order to take the appropriate action as per COLREGS. PART C of the COLREGS
published by the IMO is titled as LIGHTS AND SHAPES and lays out all necessary
information with regard to lights and the specificity of their usage for different types of
vessels. For example, a fishing vessel is mandated to display a RED light over a
GREEN light and the opposite is applicable for a pilot vessel. ANNEX 1 of the
COLREGS deals with the positioning and technical details of lights and shapes and
has precise data with regard to many aspects of marine navigation lights whereas
ANNEX 2 deals with the additional signals for fishing vessel fishing in close
proximity. The parts mentioned till now are actually extremely important for any
navigating officer to be thorough with, not only for proving their competency in the
exams but also for practical application onboard.
 Credits: wikipedia.org
The visibility range of such lights varies between three miles to six miles. The lights
that are used for ships and bigger boats have a longer range of visibility as
compared to the smaller boats.

Following table indicates the visibility of lights as per the COLREGS Rule 22. All ranges in nautical
miles and lengths in metres.

LIGHTS RANGE RANGE RANGE

Length 12m or more but
Length 50m or more Length less than 12
less than 50m
Masthead Lt 6 5 or 3 2
Side Lt 3 2 1
Stern Lt 3 2 2
Towing Lt 3 2 2
All Round Lt 3 2 2

The importance of lights have been stressed upon enough, but to understand its
practical application, imagine a head-on situation (two vessels on reciprocal course);
as per COLREGS Rule 14, upon viewing the mandated lights for the situation, each
vessel is instructed to alter their course to starboard so as to pass on each other’s
port sides. For the purposes of the application of light signals, it is also be important
to understand the concept of ‘Aspect’ which, in easy terms, is our own light as
viewed by another vessel.
The subject of lights is a rather precise one and being thorough with it requires
targeted study. Needless to say, safe navigation is entirely entwined with the
knowledge and appropriate application of marine navigation lights.

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect
the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been
sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory
authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept
any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not
constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed
by the reader.

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