Article by Capt. Steve Katz
Shine Bright, Navigate Right: USCG Boat Lights
Congratulations to all the White Marlin Open owners, captains, crew, anglers and support staff! Weather strategy was a challenge this year but didn’t seem to dampen the great catches.
With the recent near shore fog AKA “restricted visibility,” your boat navigation lights are even more critical than a typical night.
LED’s or (light emitting diodes) light sources have become commonplace. This type of energy efficient lighting certainly has found its place on most every modern boat. On a boat, the most crucial lighting is the “worldwide” standardized navigational lights. An LED upgrade of the navigation lighting must be carefully reviewed – not just any bulb or fixture can or should be used. Many boaters attempt to swap in LED bulbs just because they fit into the existing navigation fixture and figure they are good to head out at night – but unfortunately, they have now modified a navigation light that may not meet specifications.
Navigation lights on Recreational vessels and uninspected commercial vessels must meet American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standard A-16, in accordance with specifications within 33 CFR183.810 and 46 CFR 25.10-3, respectively. Commercial inspected vessels must be outfitted with navigation lights that meet or exceed Under-Writers Laboratories standard UL 1104, as stated in the specifications of 46 CFR 111.75 -17.
Replacing the incandescent navigation light bulb with a run-of-the-mill LED may change the color output (chromaticity) and or the Photometric (luminous intensity) output of the previously approved Navigation light. For this reason alone, it is not recommended for boaters to install unapproved LED bulbs into an approved navigation light fixture, they are rendering it non-compliant with USCG requirements.
The best approach is to replace the entire fixture with a new LED style fixture that meets the requirements set forward by the USCG and other governing bodies. These lights are evaluated to be sure the fixture meets the requirements and then marked appropriately. There is one company I am familiar with, Dr. LED, which has gone through the rigorous USCG testing procedure to certify which of their replacement LED bulbs are certified to work as a replacement in specific existing incandescent fixtures and will still meet the USCG and other standards. The USCG indicates that the use of lights that do not provide the proper chromaticity, luminous intensity, or cut-off angles could result in the issuance of a notice of violation.
What certifications should my lights have?
All U.S. registered vessels are subject to either the ’72 COLREGS or the U.S. inland rules. Effective 11/1/03, navigation lights must meet one of 3 types of certifications depending on the size of the vessel and the date it was manufactured.
Large boats over 20 meters or 65.6 FT - The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting lights that have passed the UL tests (ABYC. A-1104) as meeting the ’72 COLREGS and the U.S. Inland Rules for vessels over 20 meters or 65.6 ft.
For boats under 20 meter or 65.6 feet – the U.S. requirements for these vessels differ depending on when the boat was built:
For boats built after 11/1/03 - The only recognized means of certification of lights fixtures for these boats is the USCG approval system. This system uses independent, 3rd party approved laboratory to conduct the tests required for the A-16 certification of a light fixture. On all USCG approved lights, the permanent marking USCG 1nm, USCG 2nm or USCG 3nm must be visible on the fixture when the light is installed.
For boats built before 11/1/03 - Lights for these boats must be manufactured in accordance with ABYC Standard A-16. USCG approved lights, as described above, are also approved for applications on boats built after 11/1/03. All light fixtures certified under this procedure are required to permanently carry the mark "A-16" visibly displayed when the light is installed.
If you thought the USCG was tough on recreational boaters, they are just as tough on navigation light manufacturers, they require all navigation light manufacturers to print the following information the fixture or the retail package: USCG Approval 33 CFR 183.810, MEETS ABYC A-16 or equivalent , TESTED BY (an approved laboratory), Name of the light manufacturer, Number of Model, Visibility of the light in nautical miles, Date on which the light was type-tested, Identification and specification of the bulb used in the compliance test.
Visibility ratings:
Vessels of less than 12 meters in length:
• masthead light, 2 miles
• sidelight, 1 mile
• sternlight, 2 miles
Vessels of 12 meters or more in length but less than 50 meters:
• a masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters, 3 miles
• sidelight, 2 miles
• sternlight, 2 miles
Navigation light fails- The following items are often causes for the issuance of citations by U.S. Coast Guard field inspectors:
An All-Around Light on a power-driven vessel less than 12m (39.4 ft) in length- when choosing the option to replace the masthead and stern lights with a single all round light, the most frequent problem is that they are mounted on a staff that is too short. Make sure the all-round light is at least 3.3 feet (1 meter) above the sidelights and is high enough to be visible from ahead in spite of the rise of the bow when underway. It should not be obscured by equipment, such as radar or canvas tops - even if this means having to mount it on something longer than 1 meter.
Sidelights that are mounted on the hull below the gunwale do not meet the International Rules requirement, which requires that they be mounted above the "uppermost continuous deck." Inland Rules allow for sidelights mounted on the hull below the gunwale, but they must be visible from dead ahead with the beams not crossed (mounted too far forward) or separated (mounted too far aft). These lights must also be mounted so they are “vertical.”
Before each trip, take the time to review the condition and operation of your navigation lights and be sure they meet the standards for your size and type of boat.
The USCG website, www.navcen.uscg.gov can be a helpful resource. §
