Navigation Lights and Searchlights
Navigation Lights
Navigation Lights is a group of 16 IMPA-coded items (codes 370421–370448) under Navigation Lights and Searchlights in the Nautical Equipment section (IMPA 37). All of them are priced per piece. The names most often specify glass (8 of 16).
Buying guide
Navigation lights are the masthead, side, stern, towing and all-round lights a ship shows between sunset and sunrise and in restricted visibility so that other vessels can tell its heading, size and status. This group covers complete light fittings, single or double, with a glass lens and metal case or a polycarbonate lens.[1]
The second officer or the electrical officer raises the requisition when a lantern is damaged, a lamp holder or lens fails, or a conversion to LED fittings is planned, and the master usually checks that replacements match the lights listed on the ship’s certificates.
How to specify it
State the function (masthead, starboard side, port side, stern, towing, all-round red, white or green), the visibility range the ship needs, which follows from its length, and whether single or double (main and stand-by) fittings are needed. Give the supply voltage, lamp type (incandescent and wattage, or LED) and the mounting — the base or bracket, and the existing bolt pattern if the fitting is a direct replacement.[1]
Ask for the type approval the flag requires and the approval certificate with the quotation; under COLREG Annex I the construction and installation of lights must satisfy the appropriate authority (the US Coast Guard for US-flag ships). State the lens and housing (glass and metal, or polycarbonate) and order spare lamps with the fittings so they match.[1]
Rules and certificates
COLREG Rule 21 defines the masthead light as white over an arc of 225°, sidelights as green to starboard and red to port each over 112.5°, and the sternlight as white over 135°. Rule 20 requires the lights to be shown from sunset to sunrise and in restricted visibility when necessary.[1]
Under Rule 22, vessels 50 m or more in length need a masthead light visible at 6 miles, and sidelights, sternlight, towing light and all-round lights at 3 miles. Rule 23(a) requires a power-driven vessel under way to show a forward masthead light, a second masthead light abaft and higher than the first, sidelights and a sternlight.[1]
Annex I sets the colour of each light within CIE chromaticity boundaries, the formula for minimum luminous intensity at the required range, and for electric lights on power-driven vessels the requirement to keep at least the minimum intensity from 5° above to 5° below the horizontal.[1]
Questions buyers ask
- Can we replace an incandescent navigation light with an LED one?
- Only with a fitting that meets COLREG Annex I for colour, intensity and sectors and holds the approval the flag requires. Ask for the approval certificate with the quotation.
- What visibility range should we order?
- It follows from the ship’s length. For ships of 50 m or more, Rule 22 requires 6 miles for masthead lights and 3 miles for sidelights, sternlight, towing and all-round lights.
Published by Sherif Awad, founder of GeoMarineHub — in ship supply since 1990, a family business since 1981 (45 years). Last checked .
At a glance
Part of Nautical Equipment (IMPA section 37): Bridge and navigation stores — binoculars, flags, signal lamps, clocks, barometers, sounding gear, logbooks.
It is one of 9 groups under Navigation Lights and Searchlights; the others include Green Flashing Lights, Halogen Lamps for Suez Searchlights, Incandescent Lamps for Suez Searchlights, Red Flashing Lights, Searchlights Marine and 3 more.
Post the ones you need as a requirement and verified suppliers activated at your port bid on them — sealed, so nobody sees another bid.
- Items
- 16
- IMPA codes
- 370421–370448
- Priced
- per piece
- Materials
- glass
Items
Also under Navigation Lights and Searchlights
Most requested sections