Navigation Signal Light Display Requirements For Various Types Of Ships

Power-driven vessels, fleets, working ships, sea cruisers, stake boats, and dangerous goods cargo ships that are currently underway shall display the marine navigation signal lights in accordance with the following requirements.

Power-driven vessel

Unless otherwise specified, when a single power-driven vessel is sailing, one white masthead light, one red port light, one green starboard light, and one white stern light shall be displayed. For vessel with a length of 50 meters or more, another white masthead light shall be displayed on the rear mast; Except for speedboats, power-driven vessel with a length of less than 12 meters can display a white light all-round light and a red & green combination light when the conditions are not available, or one light with red, white and green colors, to instead of the above signal lights.

Vessel LengthSignal Light Configuration
Less than 12 meters (excluding speedboats)White all-around light and red/green combination light, or one each of red, white, and green light
12 meters and aboveWhite masthead light, red port light, green starboard light, white stern light, additional white masthead light on aft mast
Signal light requirements

Fleet

1. In addition to displaying side lights and tail lights, the tug should also display below signal lights when towing:

(1) Two white masthead lights are displayed when the ship is towed.

(2) When pushing a ship or arranging a raft, three white masthead lights are displayed. When the tugboat has difficulty in displaying the above-mentioned lights, it can be displayed on the most suitable ship in the fleet.

(3) When the towing raft is hoisted, one masthead light, one green and one white light are displayed.

(4) Tugs for lifting and towing ships and rafts may also display another white light behind the chimney or mast and higher than the tail light in order to facilitate the steering of the ship or raft.

2. When a vessel or raft being towed or pushed by a crane is in voyage, the following lights shall be displayed

(1) A ship being towed or pushed by a crane shall display red and green side lights. When grouped into a multi-row formation, only red sidelights should be displayed on the leftmost row of ships, and only green sidelights should be displayed on the rightmost row of ships. The bow of the first ship in the pushing fleet shall be shown with a self-lighting bow light, and its light shall not be revealed after being abright. When the stern of the pushed ship exceeds the bow of the tug, the white light should also be displayed. The last row of the hanging tug fleet should display white light tail lights.

(2) When a ship with a length of 30 meters or more is towed into a single row in a row, each ship can display one white light ring light instead of the red and green side lights.

(3) When manpowered boats, sailboats, and objects are towed or pushed up, they should display a white light ring light. When pushed up, the light shall not show up after being pushed. When the grouping is a multi-row number sequence, it will be displayed in the outermost column on the left and right.

(4) When the raft is towed, one white light lamp shall be displayed at the four corners of the raft at least one meter above the row surface; when it is pushed, one white light lamp shall be displayed at the first two corners of the row at least one meter above the row surface. The other lights shall not be revealed after being upright.

SituationLights Displayed
Towing a shipTwo white masthead lights
Pushing a ship or arranging a raftThree white masthead lights; if difficult, display on the most suitable ship
Towing a hoisted raftOne masthead light, one green light, one white light
Tugs for lifting and towingAnother white light behind the chimney or mast, higher than the tail light
Towed or pushed by a crane (ship)Red and green side lights; white light if stern exceeds tug’s bow
Towed in single row (ship ≥ 30m)One white light ring light instead of red and green side lights
Towed or pushed (boats, sailboats, objects)White light ring light; displayed in outermost column for multi-row grouping
Towed raftOne white light lamp at each corner, at least one meter above row surface
Pushed raftOne white light lamp at the first two corners, at least one meter above row surface
Lighting requirements for tugs and rafts

Working ship

When the engineering ship has not entered the construction site or has withdrawn from the construction site, it shall display the signal prescribed by the general ship. When entering the construction site, the following lights and numbers should be displayed;

1. When the position of the engineering ship is fixed at the construction site, three ambient lights are displayed at night, and their connection forms an equilateral triangle with the tip upwards. The top of the triangle is a red ring light, and the two ends of the bottom side, and the navigable side is a white light ring. Illumination, the side of the non-navigable side is a red ring light. During the day, one number is hung at each end of the mast horizontally. The navigable side is a ball, and the non-navigable side is a cross.

2. When the self-propelled engineering ship is under construction, in addition to the signal light showing that the motor ship is underway. A red, white, and red halo light is displayed at night, and a ring, diamond, and ball shape are hung during the day. When the construction vessel towed by the tug is under construction, except for the light in accordance with Article 29 , Should also display the same light and type as the self-propelled ship during construction. 3. The mud discharge pipe extended by the engineering ship should display a white light ring lamp at the head and stern of the pipe at intervals of 50 meters. When a ship has divers operating underwater, it shall show a red halo at night and hang an “A” signal flag during the day.

SituationNight Lights
Not in construction site or withdrawnFollow general ship signal
Fixed position at construction siteRed ring light (top of triangle), white light ring (bottom sides), red ring light (non-navigable side) forming an equilateral triangle
Self-propelled engineering ship under constructionRed, white, and red halo lights
Towed construction vessel under constructionSame lights and types as self-propelled ship under construction, plus lights according to Article 29
Mud discharge pipe extensionWhite light ring lamps at head and stern, 50 meters apart
Divers operating underwaterRed halo
Lighting requirements for engineering ships under different circumstances

Sea cruiser and Stake boat

When a sea cruiser is performing official duties, a side light, a tail light and a red flashing revolving light shall be displayed at night. When the navigation mark boat is sailing, it shall display two sidelights, taillights and green ring lights at night; display two green ring lights when parked.

Dangerous cargo Ship

When ships carrying explosive, flammable, highly toxic, and radioactive dangerous goods are berthing, loading and unloading and sailing, in addition to displaying the signals of ordinary ships, at night, they should also display a red ring light at the horizontal position of the mast. Hang a “B” signal flag.

The crew should regularly inspect the navigation lights of the ship. The inspection methods are as follows:

  1. The setting of navigation lights and signal lights should meet the requirements
  2. The navigation light control box is powered by two power sources. One of them must be powered by the main switchboard or emergency switchboard, and the two power transfer switches should be located on the control box.
  3. When the main power supply is battery, only one power supply can be provided.
  4. The navigation light control box should be equipped with an audible and visual alarm signal device for each navigation light to emit a malfunction. When small ships, navigation lights, and signal lights are controlled by the same control box, only light alarm signals are allowed.
  5. Each navigation light (on the control box) should be equipped with a separate control switch, fuse and opening and closing indicating device, and should be equipped with a nameplate or logo.
  6. The signal lights are centrally controlled and protected by the signal light control box located in the cab.
  7. For unmanned barges, non-self-propelled engineering ships, barges and other unmanned ships, the signal light control box is allowed to be installed in places that are on duty or easy to manage.
RequirementDetails
Navigation LightsMeet requirements
Navigation Light Control Box– Powered by two sources (main or emergency switchboard) – Two power transfer switches on the control box – Battery-powered main supply allows only one power supply
Alarm SystemAudible and visual alarms for each light malfunction
Small Ships ControlOnly light alarm signals allowed if controlling small ships, navigation lights, and signal lights with the same control box
Individual Navigation LightsEach light on the control box should have: – Separate control switch – Fuse – Opening/closing indicator – Nameplate or logo
Signal LightsCentrally controlled and protected by a signal light control box in the cab
Unmanned ShipsSignal light control box allowed in accessible places on duty or easy to manage
Navigation lights and inspection methods for ships carrying dangerous goods
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