What approval must navigation lights have?
Only navigation lights and sound signalling equipment which meet the requirements of the collision avoidance rules may be used. Compliance with these requirements is checked throughout the EU by officially approved test centres, so-called Notified Bodies, and navigation light approval is marked with a wheelmark symbol. This applies to both commercial shipping and recreational shipping. Depending on the flag you sail under, there may be other national approvals for recreational boating. If national approval is given by the BSH, this is indicated by a type number (e.g. BSH/00/01/90).
0098 = Notified Body number
(here 0098 = Germanischer Lloyd in Hamburg)
18 = Year in which the mark is affixed. Here, 2018
Which navigation lights are required on board according to IMO COL REG?
Definitions according to the 1972 International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COL REG 72):
1. Side lights for starboard and port
A green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side, which shine from dead ahead in an arc of 112.5° aft to a point 22.5° abaft the beam (behind the beam) on either side of the vessel. On ships of less than 20 metres in length, the two individual sidelights may be replaced by a dual-colour combined light. This must be centrally located on the bow and stern axis.
2. Stern light
A white light mounted as close to the stern as possible and shines dead ahead in an arc of 135° (67.5° to each side). The mounting height should be aligned to the height of the side lights and should never be higher.
3. Three-colour light for sailing vessels (sailing lights)
On sail boats up to a length of 20 m, the side light and stern light can be combined into one three-colour light mounted on top of the mast. However, as soon as the sail boat's motor is engaged, the use of a three-colour light is no longer permitted. The rules for motor-powered vessels then apply.
4. Mast-head light
A white light placed over the centre line of the vessel and shines dead ahead in an arc of 225° (from straight ahead up to 22.5° more aft than crosswise to each side). The mounting height should be at least 1 m higher than the side lights. In the past, the mast-head light was also referred to as a steam boat light or steamer light, as it is only seen on ships that operate under engine power.
5. Signal light or all-round light
A light that shines in a complete circle of 360°. It may emit white, red or green light, depending on application.
Examples of use: All vessels at anchor must exhibit a white anchor light, if required. Ships of over 12m in length must, if necessary, display vessel-in-distress lights (two red signal lights) placed at a vertical distance of at least 1 m. The distance between such lights must not exceed 1 m.
What are the prescribed minimum ranges of navigation lights?
The range indicates the distance from which the light can be seen. The minimum ranges are defined according to ship size as follows:
| Range in nautical miles (NM) | Ships up to 12m in overall length | Ships of 12 - 20 m overall length | Ships from 20 - 50 m overall length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mast-head light | 2 NM | 3 NM | 5 NM |
| Side light (starboard /port) | 1 NM | 2 NM | 2 NM |
| Stern light | 2 NM | 2 NM | 2 NM |
| Three-colour light (sail boat when at sail) | 2 NM | 2 NM | |
| All-round light (white, red, green all-round light) | 2 NM | 2 NM | 2 NM |
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General light use:
Note: When sailing boats are powered by an engine, the rules for machine-powered vehicles apply and the tricolour light may no longer be used.
Sailing vessels up to 20 m at sail
1 x red port side light
1 x green starboard light
1 x stern light
Also allowed:
1 x red all-round light on or near the mast top
1 x green all-round light on or near the mast top
Sailing vessels up to 20 m at sail
1 x 3-colour light
Sailing vessels under 7 m
If, due to their design, no lights can be displayed, sailing vessels under 7 m in length and vessels using a rudder must exhibit an electric hand-held spotlight or a powerful torch to prevent collisions in the dark.
1 x hand-held spotlight or torch
Motorised vessels over 12 m
Lights exhibited must be either / or:
1 x white masthead light fore
1 x red port side light
1 x green starboard light
1 x stern light
Motorised vessels over 12 m
Lights exhibited must be either / or:
1 x white masthead light fore
1 x dual colour light
1 x stern light
Motorised vessels under 12 m
Alternatively, motorised vessels under 12 m can exhibit the following lights:
1 x white all-round light
1 x red port side light
1 x green starboard light
Motorised vessels under 12 m
Alternatively, motorised vessels under 12 m can exhibit the following lights:
1 x white all-round light
1 x dual colour light
Motorised vessels under 7 m and 7 knots maximum speed
Motorised vehicles under 7 metres and with a maximum speed of no more than 7 knots can display the following navigation lights: all-round lights, portside and starboard lights.
The following applies in accordance with German Traffic Regulations for Navigable Maritime Waterways (SeeSchStrO): If, due to their design, no lights can be displayed (e.g. dinghies), sailing vessels under 7 m in length and 7 knots maximum speed must exhibit an electric hand-held spotlight or a torch to prevent collisions in the dark.
Left: 1 x white all-round light, 1 x red port side light, 1 x green starboard light
Right: 1 x spot light or torch
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Best-seller Aqua Signal LED
Vessels under sail or at rudder that are equipped with a motor
Provided no engine power is used, the rules for sailboats apply. Motor-sailing vessels must display a large black cone pointing downwards when sailing during the day or at good light.
For vessels travelling under sail or at rudder during darkness or by reduced visibility, the rules for carrying lights for motorised boats automatically apply.
By day with a black cone, tip pointing downwards.
Visual Signals
Torches & Spotlights
How should vessels at anchor be signalled?
At anchor during daylight? This must be displayed with a black anchor ball (which seems to have been forgotten here).
If the vessel is anchored outside of an area of water known by the River and Shipping Police Authority as an anchorage and berth for small vessels, this must be indicated as follows:
A black ball by day, 1 x white all-round light at night
Marker Lights
How should I indicate that my boat is disabled?
If your boat is disabled, this should be indicated as follows:
Stationary: 2 x red all-round light, 2 x black ball, one below the other (during the day)
Moving: 1 x red port side light, 1 x green starboard light, 1 x white stern light
How to indicate that a vessel has run aground?
If your boat has run aground, this should be indicated as follows:
2 x red all-round light, 1 x white all-round light, 3 x black ball, one below the other (during the day)
Which light bulbs are approved for navigation lights?
Manufacturers that specialise in navigation lights such as Aqua Signal or Hella Marine supply a wide range of internationally approved navigation lights which work with conventional (with BSH bulb) or with permanently installed, light-emitting semiconductor components (LEDs).´The bulbs required for operation are an integral part of the approval. Replacement bulbs must also be BSH certified so that approval / your insurance protection is guaranteed. Ships under 20 m: Stern and anchor lights require BSH-approved light bulbs with 10 watts, all other lights 25 watts.
| Spare light bulb for series | Stern l / Anchor l. 12 V/10W | Stb./BB, Masth / All-rnd l. 12 V / 25W |
|---|---|---|
| Aqua Signal, Series 40 | SVB No. 10203 | SVB No. 10206 |
| Aqua Signal, Series 41 | SVB No. 10203 | SVB No. 10206 |
| Aqua Signal, Series 50 | SVB No. 10203 | SVB No. 10206 |
| Hella Marine, Series 2984 | SVB No. 10203 | SVB No. 10206 |
All series listed above with BAY15d sockets could alternatively be operated with a high-power LED. The big advantage in doing so is that the LED is suitable for multiple voltages (10-30 V) and consumes just 3 watts during operation. Since the light colour, range of light or beam angle can vary depending on the housing, this light is NOT yet internationally approved.
Spare Bulbs - Conventional & LED
What are the advantages of LED navigation lights?
Energy consumption on sailing ships is, as ever, a topic of significant interest. This is especially true for blue-water sailors that do not travel from port to port. The arguments in favour of switching to LED technology speak for themselves:
- High energy savings due to the low power consumption
- Long lifespan (over 10,000 hours)
- MultivoltTM technology (10-30V) with greater tolerance to voltage peaks
- Compact and light housing constructions
- Waterproofed, hermetically sealed housings
- Maintenance free
When switching completely from conventional navigation lights to LED lights, you can be sure that lights with the BSH seal of approval / EU wheel mark meet all the requirements in terms of light colour (no risk of blue tint), range of light and beam angle, and that you are travelling in accordance with KVR.
Navigation Lights with LED Technology
How can I replace my existing navigation lights with LED lights?
Replacing your navigation lights is easy because most manufacturers use the same mounting points for the new LED lights or have an adapter plate available for further use of existing drill holes:
| Existing Series: | New LED Series: |
|---|---|
| Aqua Signal, Series 40 with quicfitssocket | Series 34 with quicfitssocket |
| Aqua Signal, Series 41 | Series 43 (use identical drill holes) |
| Aqua Signal, Series 40 and 50 | Serie 43 using adapter plate, SVB no. 14557 |
| Aqua Signal, Series 40 and 50 | Series 44 using adapter plate, SVB no. 14557 |
Adapter plate
Written by our SVB (technical) experts
Our SVB safety experts regularly carry out maintenance checks and tests on our safety products, such as life jackets, life rafts etc. They test products and base their recommendations on many years of experience and their own know-how.