GB/T 40787-2021Small craft - Navigation lights - Installation, placement and visibility (English PDF)

3.1 navigation light

Colored light sources used on small crafts to indicate the position, direction, and status of the vessel.

NOTE. The International Maritime Organization has clarified that the "light" in "combination lights" is the same as the "light" in "sidelights". In this document, the two types of "lights" are the same, can be interchangeable with "navigation light", and refer to the whole assembly and all its parts.

3.2 all-round light

A light that shows an unbroken light over a 360° horizontal arc.

3.3 combination sidelight

A single navigation light consisting of two sidelights combined into one. On each side of the fore and aft centerline, within the range from straight ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam (90°+22.5°=112.5°), it shows green to the starboard and red to the port.

3.4 masthead light

A white light that is positioned on the fore and aft center line and shows an unbroken light over a 225° horizontal arc, from the straight ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam (90°+22.5°=112.5°) on both sides of the craft.

3.5 sidelight

The lights show within a range (90°+22.5°=112.5°) from the straight ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on each side. The starboard sidelight emits green light, and the port sidelight emits red light.

3.6 stern light

A white light that is positioned as close as possible to the stern and shows an unbroken light over a 135° horizontal arc, from straight aft to 67.5° on both sides.

3.7 tricolour light

A single navigation light, consisting of a sidelight and a stern light, which is located at or near the top of the mast, where it is most easily visible.

NOTE. The tricolor light can only be used when a sailing craft less than 20 m in length is sailing alone.

4.1 General rules

COLREG requirements specify the type and placement of navigation lights. National governments may require any specially constructed craft using their flag, and crafts that cannot meet requirements regarding number, location, visibility, etc., shall comply with other provisions determined to be the closest possible compliance with this document.

The construction and installation of the lights shall be approved by the nation whose flag the craft is entitled to fly.

4.2 Placement

4.2.1 Navigation lights shall comply with COLREG's requirements regarding position

and technology, including the visibility distance of various lights, the placement of each light on the craft, its visibility range and chromaticity.

4.2.2 Navigation lights shall be clearly visible under normal sailing trim conditions.

4.2.3 Navigation lights shall not be obscured by fixed structures or detachable

equipment on crafts during normal navigation.

NOTE. In accordance with COLREG, except for anchor lights, which need not be placed at the very top of the craft, the all-around lights must not be obstructed more than 6° by masts, topmasts, or the structure's angular parts. When obstruction exceeds a 6° arc, multiple all-around lights may be installed.

4.2.4 Navigation lights shall be installed in a manner that avoids directing light into the

eyes of the operator. This requirement applies when the operator is in a normal operating position and shall also avoid glare from the craft's structures within the operator's line of sight.

4.2.5 When in full-load standby condition as specified in ISO 8666, with particular

consideration of the trim angle during normal navigation, the installation of navigation lights shall ensure that the illumination covers the required visual range and shall meet the required vertical spacing and position requirements.

4.2.6 All crafts equipped with navigation lights shall be fitted with devices to indicate

anchor lights. In use, a single operation (e.g., one switch or one position of a multi-position switch) shall indicate the complete navigation light configuration required for the craft while underway. Another switch or switch position shall indicate only the anchor light.

4.2.7 The installation of navigation lights shall minimize the damage caused by

collisions with other objects during normal navigation.

4.3 Installation

4.3.1 Navigation lights shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's

instructions.