Navigation Lights: Inspect and Test Before Every Outing

Navigation Lights: Inspect and Test Before Every Outing

Through the years the configuration of navigation lighting is different as traffic around the waterways has increased plus more and more types of craft attended into use. It doesn't matter how they have been configured however, all navigation lighting has served the same purposes; namely preventing collisions between watercraft. The only method to be certain of the particular configuration your craft must use is to check with local regulating bodies and also the coast guard as requirements may vary from one region to another location and according to the type and size of watercraft. Navigation Lighting

Before leaving the dock to have an extended trip, especially when you know you will be out after sunset, is always to make a thorough and finish check of your boats lighting systems. Should you doubt how serious an issue ensuring the proper operation and display of navigation lighting could be, the next time you are out on the water at night, take the time to observe the boat traffic who are around you. Chances are, you will observe more than one boat displaying improperly positioned navigation lights, lights which are difficult to see, or worse, no lights in any way!

Considering how difficult and important it really is to see other boats during the night, it simply boggles the mind the number of boaters appear to put little focus on their navigation lighting. Without properly operating navigation lights other boaters cannot determine your boats size, its heading, or its proximity to their own craft. Even on boats there navigation lighting is operating correctly, there'll often be problems such as stowage or gear blocking the lights. So, to make sure your navigation lights are not only operational and effectively configured, but easily visible too, it is necessary to also take into account how your craft seems to other boaters. The best way to do this is to observe your boat from a another vessel, of course, if that is not possible, from the land based position that mimics how another boat will be positioned relative to your own personal.

The main types of boating navigation lights that really must be displayed after sunset and during rain or heavy fog include side lights, masthead, stern and anchor lights. Side lights can be individual units as on larger craft, or even a combination of colors in one unit that is often seen on smaller vessels. Navigation lights for the port side of the vessel are red. Lights for the starboard side are green. These lights should display more than a defined area from straight on to 112 degrees to the side. These lights normally must be visible for a minimum of 1 nautical mile, speculate we mentioned earlier, it is necessary to check regulations since this can sometimes be as far as two miles. Side lights allow other boats to ascertain your position and heading. If as an example you can see a boat's red navigation light, then their port side is facing you, which allows you to get a touching on that vessels heading and make any adjustments to your own course that may be necessary.

Masthead, stern and anchor lighting is intended to provide an smart way for other boaters to talk to your vessel and avoid them. These lights are generally designed to radiate light over a full 360 degrees of range and be easily visible at extended distances. These lighting is often the most neglected and improperly used of all navigation lights, for a number of reasons. One of the worst reasons these 360 degree lights are poorly utilized is operator vanity. Many boaters desire a sleek attractive try to find their craft, and so seek to install the lighting where it "looks" best, instead of where it will be the very best. The result is a light that's obscured by radar assemblies, too low to be visible for just about any distance, or worse, mounted where it will illuminate the cockpit and deck and ruin a boater's night vision. The best positioning for these lights are at the highest point on the boat, away from other devices and parts that may obstruct their effect. That literally brings up another reason why these lights are often neglected; mounted 35 feet in mid-air on a mast, not many folks are keen about climbing to be able to inspect, repair or replace an anchor light therefore put it off as long as possible. This would no longer be a serious issue though because there are plenty of LED boat lights that may serve as an anchor light and operate probably since the long a boater owns the craft. Navigation Lighting

Another form of lighting that can play a significant role in nighttime boating safety is an effective spotlight. While most boating regulations prohibit utilizing a spotlight while underway, they do allow their periodic use for brief duration. Spotlights can serve a wide variety of functions including being a navigational aid when avoiding crab pots and partially submerged obstacles, locating unlit buoys, possibly emergency situations such as man overboard or helping another vessel in distress. There's a wide variety of boat spotlights available, but also for smaller boats a handheld unit is usually sufficient, while boats twenty feet or more in length can often benefit from one of the remote controlled Golights which are so popular these days.

If you are going to install a permanently mounted spotlight, its smart to put in some forethought. Under most nighttime cruising conditions, when your eyes become acclimated to the dark your natural night vision is plenty. However, an improperly mounted spotlight can make glare by reflecting from decks and shiny railings. The very best position for a permanently mounted spotlight is as a result as far forward on the bow as possible in which the beam will not spill over on the deck or overlap railings. If there is no suitable location inside the bow area, a spot above the canopy adequate to allow the beam to pass over the deck and any obstructions is a good second choice.