Searchlights Suez Canal

State the wattage, lamp type and supply voltage. Under the Suez Canal Authority rule, the lamp must give a single beam of at least 3 million candles, equivalent to a 2000 W incandescent lamp for ships up to 30,000 SCGT and 3000 W above that, or any lamp meeting the specification that is of the non-explosive type; give the ship’s Suez Canal gross tonnage so the supplier can check.^[1]

Ask for the classification society “Type Test” certificate with the light, including the illumination test; the original is submitted to the canal officials. For tankers, gas carriers and ships with electrical equipment in a dangerous area, specify the gastight version with a hot-air vent and the fixed gastight cable and socket arrangement the rule calls for.^[1]

SCA Rules of Navigation, Article 28: the searchlight is placed on the bow in the ship’s axis; minimum range of the single beam 1800 m ahead (about 1 lux at transmission factor 0.85); reflector in two halves that close to one beam or part to two beams of at least 5° each with an adjustable dark sector of 0–10°; hardened front glass; watertight drum (pressure test 0.25 kg/cm²) and electrical parts to IP55; two lamp carriers that bring a lamp into focus with current switched on automatically.^[1]

The same article requires generator capacity to keep the searchlight lit if one generator stops (unless it has its own generator and circuit), makes LPG and LNG carriers and ships entering direct from sea carry their own searchlight, lets other ships hire a portable projector locally, and has two shore electricians operate a ship’s own projector during transit. The rules are revised from time to time, so confirm the current edition with the canal agent.^[1]