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 colors were chosen: red, green and white. Even today, the marine navigation lighting consists of these three colors.
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.
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.
For more detailed information, please visit the product page of marine lighting at ysmarines.com
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