Understanding navigation light regulations
→ Boat navigation lights: when and how to use them?
In addition to being compulsory, are an essential accessory for safe cruising. Whether for your own safety or that of other boaters, the use of boat navigation lights is essential to signal your presence and your maneuvers.
The correct use of navigation lights is therefore one of the essential conditions for safe sailing, whether you're at sea or at anchor.
Navigation lights can be used to indicate the presence of one or more boats, or the presence of your boat, but also to communicate your position in the event of distress, or to signal your maneuvers to nearby boats. In this way, you can avoid numerous collisions, especially in poor visibility , when sailing at night or in complete darkness.
As always, a new experience at sea needs to be prepared and mastered by the yachtsman or skipper, which is why appropriate lighting , including special models of night boat lights, is required to avoid any incidents or collisions.
In addition, you'll need a which will be another signalling accessory, this one audible, and will enable nearby boats to spot you, thus enhancing safety on board. It complements a visual alarm.
→ What regulations apply to boat navigation lights?
Boat lights are essential accessories for two good reasons: to see and to be seen at all costs. It's therefore essential to have a very good knowledge of at sea. The latter are governed by the RIPAM (Réglementation Internationale pour Prévenir les Abordages en Mer - International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), one of the regulations of the International Maritime Organization.
It governs the proper conduct of boats on navigable waterways.
Navigation lights are an integral part of ship signalling at sea. They help to distinguish the presence of other vessels at night, thus reducing the risk of collisions or accidents at sea.
In pleasure boating, there are two different types of craft: powerboats and sailboats (sailboats powered by a motor are considered to be powerboats).
Depending on your type of craft, regulations will vary. If you're sailing at night or in conditions of reduced visibility, your will be a first indication of the type of boat you'll come across, and conversely, your will be used to give information to other boaters.
The colors of the navigation lights ( green - red - white) determine which boat has priority. Knowledge of navigation lights is therefore essential, as are their functions:
➡️ Starboard / port lights
These lights are installed on both sides of the boat. On the right (starboard), the green light, and on the left (port), the red.
➡️ Mast navigation light
Continuous white light. The white light is placed on the mast and the angle of visibility is 225°.
➡️ Stern navigation light
Installed as close as possible to the stern, on a stainless steel pole for example, at the stern of the boat. It emits a continuous white light at 135° towards the stern.
➡️ Visible navigation light
This all-round white light projects an uninterrupted 360° beam around the boat. It is used on anchored boats and moving motorboats.
➡️ Tricolor navigation light for sailboats
Starboard / port and stern navigation lights can be combined to form a single masthead-mounted tricolor light. Only for sailboats up to 20 m. For motorboats, the rules for motorboats apply.
→ How to distinguish between different types of boat?
Once you've familiarized yourself with the meaning of boat navigation lights, it's essential to recognize the types of craft for safe night navigation. Boats under way are required to switch on the following navigation lights at night:
▪️ with speeds of up to 7 knots will only have white navigation lights visible over the entire horizon.
▪️ A motorboat under 12 m in length must be fitted with a port and starboard light (two-tone red and green) illuminating the bow. An all-round white boat light is also required.
▪️ A motorboat over 12 meters in length and underway must install a port/starboard light, as well as a white masthead light shining forward and a white stern light shining aft.
▪️ A sailboat sailing at night must display a tricolored navigation light : port and starboard side lights (red and green) shining forward, and a white stern light shining aft. On sailboats less than 20 m long, these three navigation lights can be assembled at the top of the mast.
▪️ Canoes, kayaks and sailboats up to 7 m in length are not required to have navigation lights, but must be fitted with an electric lamp or white light.
Finally, a vessel at anchor must always be equipped with at least one product: a white ship's light covering the entire horizon.
Knowing the range of boat navigation lights
The range of boat navigation lights varies according to the length of the boat, so it's important to be familiar with them.
➡️ For sailing or motor boats between 12 and 50 meters long:
▪️ Masthead light = 5 miles and 3 miles for vessels under 20m
▪️ Side light (red and green) = 2 miles
▪️ Stern light (white aft) = 2 miles
▪️ Anchor light = 2 miles
➡️ For sailing or motor boats less than 12m long:
▪️ Masthead light = 2 miles
▪️ Side light (red and green) = 1 mile
▪️ Stern light (white at stern) = 2 miles
▪️ Anchor light = 2 miles
→ Boat navigation lights: the essential accessory
Navigation lights are mandatory under RIPAM, ensuring safety at sea at night or in poor visibility.
There are port or starboard lights (red/green), stern lights, masthead lights and all-round lights. For yachts under 20 m, they can be combined into a single masthead light.
Nautisports offers a wide choice of LED or classic models, single or combined, at various prices and with details available online.
→ Mandatory overturning light
The overturning light is a mandatory safety device for navigation beyond 2 nautical miles from a shelter. It activates automatically on contact with the water or in a vertical position, emitting a flashing light visible at 360° to make it easier to spot a man overboard.
Designed to be buoyant, sturdy and easy to spot even in daylight, it requires no handling once in the water.
Nautisports offers several models to suit all needs, such as the Plastimo boat turning light (simple and economical), the Lalizas Stella LED (high performance), or the battery-operated Osculati model.
→ Our selection of boat navigation lights on Nautisports
Find our selection of the biggest brands of fittings at the best prices such as Plastimo, Navisafe, or Lalizas and place an order for boat navigation lights. With our easy-to-use models, make the choice of safe installation, whether on deck, mast or jib.
With a wide choice of products in stock, find Plastimo navigation lights or and prepare for the highest quality assembly of your navigation light equipment. However, if you need any advice before your package is dispatched, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service department.
