Chapter 17 - Navigation Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - Yacht Code - January 2019 Edition - Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers) - Chapter 17 - Navigation Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals

Chapter 17 - Navigation Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals

17.1 General Requirements

(1) Every vessel shall comply with the requirements of COLREGs in accordance with the national legislation of the Administration.

(2) All navigation lights shall be provided with main and emergency power supply.

(3) With due regard to accessibility, the requirement for duplication for navigation lights required to be shown whilst underway (masthead lights and sidelights) may be satisfied by having spare bulbs that can be easily fitted within three minutes. However, on yachts 500GT and over these shall be duplicate lights.

(4) Navigation lights shall comply with IMO Resolution MSC.253(83) ‘Adoption of the performance standards for navigation lights, navigation light controllers and associated equipment’. The general requirements of MSC.253(83) are as follows:

  • (a) unless expressly required otherwise, navigation lights shall appear steady and non-flashing;

  • (b) lenses of navigation lights shall be produced in a robust, non-corroding material, which shall ensure a long-term durability for the optical qualities of the lens;

  • (c) masthead light, sidelights and a sternlight installed onboard greater than 50 metres in length shall be duplicated or be fitted with duplicate lamps; and

  • (d) only lamps specified by the manufacturer shall be used in each particular navigation lights to avoid reduction of performance due to unsuitable lamps.

17.2 Special requirements for lights using LEDsfootnote

(1) The luminous intensity of LEDs gradually decreases while the electricity consumption remains unchanged. The rate of decrease of luminous intensity depends on the output of LEDs and temperatures of LEDs. To prevent shortage of luminous intensity of LEDs:

  • (a) an alarm function shall be activated to notify the Officer of the Watch when the luminous intensity of the light reduces below the level required by COLREGs; or

  • (b) LEDs shall only be used within the lifespan (practical term of validity) specified by the manufacturer to maintain the necessary luminous intensity of LEDs. The lifespan of LEDs shall be determined and clearly notified by the manufacturer based on the appropriate test results on the decrease of luminous intensity of the LEDs under various temperature conditions and on the temperature condition of LEDs in the light during operation, taking the appropriate margin into account.

17.3 Alternative arrangement where ompliance is impracticable

17.3 For vessels where compliance is impracticable, alternatives maybe considered by application to the Administration.

17.4 Additional Equivalence Considerations

(1) None

Parent topic: Part A - Large Yacht Code (up to 12 passengers)
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