sailboat light on car

What 18 Symbols On Your Car’s Dashboard Mean

What's that round thing about to hit that guy?

When something goes wrong with your car , or if a feature you should know about gets activated, a signal funnels through the electrical system and into the dashboard. This illuminates a symbol on the dash, and these cover a wide range of issues—some of which may be serious. Here are the meanings behind 18 of these curious-looking markers (and what they look like, in case you need a reminder.)

Your dashboard may be different and the symbols may have altered designs or indicate slightly different things, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual. Some of these lights could portend a serious malfunction . Don’t ignore them. When in doubt, have a professional check it out.

1. engine temperature warning light, 2. tire pressure warning light, 3. oil pressure warning, 4. traction control, 5. engine warning, 6. anti-lock brake warning, 7. rear window defrost light, 8. battery alert, 9. fuel indicator symbol, 10. seatbelt reminder light, 11. airbag indicator, 12. fog lamp indicator, 13. air suspension warning, 14. lane departure warning, 15. washer fluid indicator, 16. cruise control indicator, 17. lamp out warning, 18. brake pad warning.

What it looks like: A pirate ship with its sails down as if to say, “I’m just a normal boat, no pirates here.”

What it means: Your engine is too hot, friend. Here is a useful guide for what to do if your engine overheats.

What it looks like: A Buckingham Palace guard telling you the field goal is good !

What it means: The pressure in one or more of your tires is too low and needs to be attended to.

What it looks like: You’re about to get three wishes.

What it means: Your engine is running low on oil, or there is a problem with your car’s oil pressure system.

What it looks like: Cthulhu wearing a fedora.

What it means: The car’s traction control system is engaged.

What it looks like: Yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine.

What it means: It can blink on to warn you of a number of issues , from minor (a loose gas cap) to major (wiring problems).

Boat Navigation Lights Rules: Illustrated Beginners Guide

When navigating at night, the lights on other boats are your first clue about the moving dangers around you. And your navigation lights are your first line of safety in avoiding collisions in the dark, and they tell others vessels what you are and what you are doing. The rules sound complex, but with a little understanding you can get the basics for any situation.

So what are the basic navigation light rules? For most small vessels, motoring requires red and green (port and starboard) lights, and a white light visible in all directions around the boat. This is almost always a stern light and a masthead light on sailboats. Boats under sail require port and starboard lights, and a white stern light. Sailboats below sixty-five feet may show a tricolor light at the masthead instead of side and stern lights when sailing.

That's it, in a nutshell. There's a little more to it, as the rules change with different sizes and there are some specifics about angles of display for the colors. Identifying other ships at sea requires more study, but the basics are the same. And it's not much trouble to make sure you've always got the proper lights on your vessel.

Infographic for Marine Navigation Lights Rules based on sailboat size

Masthead Light - a white light placed centerline on the boat showing an arc of 225 degrees with 112.5 degrees either side of the front of the vessel.
Sidelights - A red light on the port side and a green light on the starboard. They must show an arc of 112.5 degrees from centerline of the bow.
Stern light - A white light on the stern of the boat showing an unbroken arc of 135 degrees from centerline of the vessel.
All-round light - A light showing in an unbroken arc of 360 degrees.

The good news is you need not measure these angles. Any properly installed USCG or COLREGS approved light which will cover the correct arcs. If you have to replace the original light from your boat, make sure it's with an approved replacement.

Lights When Sailing

The specific rules for a sailboat under sail are in COLREGS Rule 25 and vary slightly with the size of the boat. A sailboat powering is considered a power boat and falls under in Rule 23.

Under 23 feet (7 meters) - side lights and a stern light, possible. If these lights can not be displayed a light must be kept at hand to help avoid a collision. This can be a bright flashlight.
Over 23 feet - Side lights visible to one nautical mile and stern light visible for two.
Vessels under 65 feet may combine both sidelights into a single lantern on the bow.
May show a tricolor light on the masthead instead of sidelights and a stern light. It's one or the other though, do not show these lights at the same time .
Masthead light must be visible for three nautical miles, all other lights must have a two nautical mile visibility.
Side lights must be separated.
May not show a masthead tricolor light.
Masthead light must have five nautical mile visibility, all other lights must be visible for two nautical miles.
Optional masthead lights - any vessel under sail may display a red light over a green light at the masthead with sidelights and stern light. The red over green may NOT be displayed with a masthead tricolor light. It's one set or the other.

Lights When Motoring

For all navigational purposes a sailboat under power is considered a power boat. This includes motor sailing - if the engine is on and providing propulsion you are on a power boat, even if the sails are up . This applies to navigation lighting, sound signals in fog and limited visibility, and rights of way.

Sailboats under 50 meters under power need to show:

A masthead light
Stern light

A power-driven vessel under 23 feet (7 meters) that does not exceed seven knots of speed may display an all around white light, though sidelights should be used if available.

The USCG has published its own "Rules of the Road" that are based on the COLREGS. In addition, it has rules for the "Inland Waterways" for rivers, inland lakes and the Great Lakes.

The good news is this has no impact on what you have to do with your own boat.

They mostly relate to lighting changes on towed vessels like barges and tugs. For example, a vessel towing or pushing another vessel in the ocean under COLREGS shows two masthead lights, sidelights and a stern light, whereas in Inland Waterways the towing or pushing vessel displays two yellow towing lights instead of a white stern light.

If you sail on lakes, rivers or the Great Lakes where towed commercial traffic is common you should learn the inland lights, but coastal or ocean sailors will never see these.

When you anchor outside a designated mooring field, you should display an all around white light at the masthead or as high in the boat as practical.

If your boat is large and has a very tall mast, you may wish to display another light closer to the waterline. Boats approaching in the dark may not see a light on a mast sixty or seventy feet in the air when they are close to your boat.

We use a simple garden path light on our stern when we anchor, left in a rod holder or flag socket. It comes on automatically at dusk and is a cheap and easy way to be more visible. There is no specific rule stating you can not display more lights than required, or the nature of any lights beyond the required all around light.

The COLREGS also specify that a round black "daymark" should be displayed in the rigging of any vessel at anchor. Very few small vessels observe this, however it is the correct display for a vessel in an anchorage.

If you tie to a mooring in a marked mooring area you are not required to display anchor lights, but there is no harm in doing so.

The other important reason to know your lights is to figure out what's going on around you at night. The water may be ablaze with white, red, green and other lights at night and they are your first key to avoiding collisions and problems.

All combinations of lights for fishing boats, commercial vessels, and so on are outside this post‘s scope. The odds are small you will encounter a submarine, seaplane or hovercraft at night, but there are regulations regarding specific lighting for each of those vessels!

There are a few fundamentals to help you figure out what that is you see on the horizon, which way it is going, and whether it is a danger to you.

Port Wine is Red

The fundamental rule is that red sidelights will ALWAYS be on the port side of a vessel, and green lights will always be on starboard. However, some vessels can use all around red and green lights for other purposes, though those will be higher than sidelights.

The light‘s on a ship is not important, some large tankers and freighters will have their sidelights far aft and put them on the superstructure for better visibility. It is not safe to assume that sidelights you can see are on the bow of large vessels .

When you can see the color, you know which way the bow is pointing. If it's red, it's pointing more or less to the left and will travel in that direction. A green light shows it is heading more or less to your right.

If you can see the red and green lights at the same time, you are looking directly at the bow of the vessel. When you are far away, this isn‘t as alarming as if you are close crossing. Seeing red and green lights together on a vessel is something you never want to see for long.

Be aware of red and green lights used in combination with other red, green and white lights. These may not be running lights and could have other significance.

Tankers, Freighters and Large Ships

Tankers, freighters and large ships will have side lights, a stern light and a masthead light. In addition, on vessels over 50 meters there will be a second masthead light further aft and higher than the forward light. The masthead light positions are a better tipoff to the bow direction and how far from the bow the sidelights might be. Remember - on a large vessel the sidelights may not be at the bow or even close to it.

USCG Inland Rules allow for a second all-around white light on large vessels on the Great Lakes instead of a second masthead light.

Fishing Boats

Fishing boats engaged in fishing will have more complex light displays. When they aren't fishing, they will show lights like any power vessel, but Rule 26 spells out light combinations that vary by the fishing activity being done. In general:

Boats which are Trawling but not making headway will display a green all-around light over a white all-around light , and a masthead light aft of these lights. Boats making headway while trawling will show these lights, plus sidelights and a stern light.
A vessel fishing other than trawling will show a red all-around light over a white all-around light . When making way they will also show sidelights and a stern light.
If a vessel has gear more than 150 meters away from the boat, it will show a second all around light in the direction of the gear. The best rule is to give fishing boats as wide a berth as you can at night. They're easy to pick out if you check the top light configurations but their course may be difficult to predict.

Towing and Pushing

Towed vessels can be the most dangerous to cross, but they have the most lights to tell you what is happening. Refer to COLREGS or the USCG Rules of the Road Rule 24 for all combinations You can pick a tow/push vessel out with the following lights:

Two or three masthead lights in a vertical line. Three masthead lights shows a tow over 200 meters. Additional masthead lights may show for larger tow vessels.
A towing light (yellow light with the same characteristics as a stern light) directly above the stern light.
The will also have side lights and a stern light.
The towed vessel will show sidelights and a stern light. Lighting may vary under USCG inland rules, where towing lights may replace stern lights. Learn these differences if this is your regular cruising ground. If you think there is a tow ahead of you, always go well behind the aft most set of lights. Never go between a tow and avoid crossing ahead if possible as it may restrict their maneuverability.

Special Situations

There are several rare situations you may encounter. As a general rule, if there are a lot of lights and you don't understand them look for the sidelights on a moving vessel. If you can find them and figure out the direction it is moving, it makes the vessel easier to avoid. Stay well clear of lights you do not understand if you can avoid them without risk.

Most of these signals are used by larger, commercial vessels and you will not need them.

They use these light combinations with other light combinations. For example a towing vessel may also be restricted in maneuverability, and a vessel constrained by draft will show running lights if moving.

Not Under Command - two all around red lights in a single line
Restricted in Ability to Maneuver - red, white then red in a single line
Constrained by draft - three all around red lights

Pinterest image for Boat Navigation Lights Rules: Illustrated Beginners Guide

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Boat Flashing Light Signals: A Guide to Navigational Safety

by Emma Sullivan | Aug 18, 2023 | Sailing Adventures

Short answer boat flashing light signals:

Boat flashing light signals are visual communications used by vessels for navigation and safety purposes. These signals include different color codes and patterns to convey specific messages and intentions to other boats, such as indicating their position, direction, or actions. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) provide standardized guidelines for these light signals to ensure safe navigation in various maritime situations.

1) Understanding Boat Flashing Light Signals: What Every Boater Should Know

Understanding Boat Flashing Light Signals: What Every Boater Should Know

As a boating enthusiast , it’s essential to understand and adhere to the various signals that help maintain safety on the water. One such crucial signaling method used by boaters worldwide is flashing lights . In this blog post, we will delve into the nitty-gritty of boat flashing light signals – acquainting every boater with their significance, interpretation, and how to employ them effectively.

When cruising through the waters, proper communication between vessels becomes paramount for avoiding collisions and ensuring smooth navigation. During times when voice communication may be challenging or impractical – such as at night or in poor weather conditions – flashing light signals step up as an invaluable means of conveying messages effectively.

So, let’s dive straight into decoding these visual cues and learn what every boater should know:

Different Light Colors and Their Meanings: Flashing lights come in various colors, each serving a unique purpose. Understanding these distinctions will enable you to interpret the messages being conveyed accurately:

1. Red Flashing Light: This signifies a vessel’s port side (left) when it appears ahead or on your port side.

2. Green Flashing Light: Conversely, this represents a vessel’s starboard side (right) when visible ahead or on your starboard side.

3. White Flashing Light: A white flashing light can indicate multiple things depending on its pattern:

– A single short flash generally implies that another vessel has acknowledged your presence. – Multiple short flashes may indicate danger or alert fellow boaters about potential collision risk. – Long flashes (between 4 to 6 seconds) typically indicate a vessel’s intention to maneuver or change course. – Occasional or irregular flashes often signal temporary operational difficulties or equipment malfunction.

Standard Positioning of Vessel Lights: Understanding where different types of flashing lights are positioned on boats helps effectively interpret signaling:

1. Side Lights: Usually red on the port side and green on the starboard side, these lights help identify a vessel’s angle or direction when observed from another boat .

2. Masthead Light: Situated at the highest point of your boat (usually the mast), this white light shines forward and is visible across 225 degrees. The masthead light helps others determine if you are approaching or moving away from them.

3. Stern Light: Positioned at the rear end of your vessel, this white light allows those behind you to understand your location and heading.

Interpreting Different Flashing Light Signals: Once you grasp the significance of various colors and their placements, it’s essential to learn how to interpret different flashing light signals:

1. Two Short Flashes: This signal indicates that another boater has accepted your intention to pass on their port side.

2. Three Short Flashes: In response to an initiated contact, three short flashes indicate that another boater agrees to let you pass on their starboard side.

3. Five (or More) Short Flashes: If a flashed sequence extends past three short flashes, it usually signifies uncertainty or doubt about an ongoing situation or maneuver.

4. Long Flash Followed by Two Short Flashes: This sequence conveys a message shared by vessels towing or pushing each other – alerting all surrounding boats about reduced maneuverability and urging them not to approach closely.

By familiarizing yourself with these common flashing light signals, you equip yourself with vital communication skills while out on the water – helping prevent potential accidents and promoting safe navigation practices for everyone involved.

Remember, becoming proficient in interpreting flashing light signals takes practice and patience. Regular exposure during boating adventures enables mastery, ensuring you can adeptly communicate with other boaters even in challenging situations where voice communication may be compromised.

So next time you head out for a thrilling day on open waters, make sure you take note of and understand these essential boating flash light signals – protecting both yourself and fellow mariners from any maritime mishaps. Safe boating!

2) How to Properly Use Boat Flashing Light Signals: A Step-by-Step Guide

Title: Mastering the Art of Boat Flashing Light Signals: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigational Brilliance

Introduction: Boating enthusiasts, whether seasoned sailors or passionate novices, understand that proper signaling is a crucial aspect of safe navigation on the water . Amongst various communication methods, boat flashing light signals offer a reliable means for conveying messages in low visibility situations and at night. In this comprehensive guide, we will unravel the intricacies of these light signals, providing you with a step-by-step approach to unlocking the power of luminous communication on your vessel.

Step 1: Equip Your Vessel with Appropriate Lights: Before diving into proper usage, it is vital to ensure that your boat is equipped with adequate lighting fixtures. Familiarize yourself with different types of lights required based on your vessel’s size and capabilities. These commonly include masthead lights, sidelights (red and green), sternlights (white), and an all-around white light for specific conditions. By adhering to the legally mandated lighting setup appropriate for your boat type , you will lay the foundation for effective signaling.

Step 2: Understanding Light Signal Basics: Now that you have a well-lit boat, let’s explore some fundamental concepts associated with flashing light signals. Recognize that these signals follow standardized Morse code patterns represented by brief flashes or prolonged shines emitted from your onboard lights. Each signal carries its distinct meaning, allowing boats near and far to comprehend your intentions effortlessly.

Step 3: Transmitting Your Message: To effectively express yourself through flashing light signals, familiarize yourself with commonly employed messages:

a) Recreational Intentions: If you’re enjoying leisurely pursuits out on the water and intend no special maneuvers, maintain steady lights without any blinking or abnormal behavior.

b) Right-of-Way Indications: When approaching another vessel in restricted visibility conditions or during nighttime encounters where right-of-way may be disputed, flashing light signals can communicate your intentions clearly. Utilize the “two short flashes” to indicate your vessel’s willingness to yield, while a single prolonged flash signifies your intent to maintain the right-of-way.

c) Navigational Cues: Flashing light signals are often used to convey navigational information or warnings. Communicate turning movements through sequences of short, rapid flashes in the desired direction (e.g., three flashes for a right turn). For warnings and hazards, adopt a sequence that gradually increases in frequency like four slow flashes followed by two quick ones.

Step 4: Staying Aware of Vessel Limitations: While mastering boat flashing light signals opens up a world of clear communication on the water, it is crucial to acknowledge their limitations. Factors such as distance, weather conditions, and other obstructions may affect signal visibility. Ensure you consider these variables and modify your signaling approach accordingly.

Step 5: Engaging with Other Mariners: Now that you possess this newfound knowledge on boat flashing light signals, don’t be hesitant about joining conversations with fellow mariners! By adhering to established standards and maintaining respect and courtesy towards others on the water, you’ll establish yourself as a competent communicator – someone who exemplifies safety consciousness and passion for boating.

Conclusion: Harnessing the power of proper boat flashing light signals elevates your navigation proficiency, fosters safer boating experiences, and enables seamless communication on even the darkest waters. By stepping through our comprehensive guide packed with step-by-step instructions encapsulating professional expertise seasoned with wit and cleverness throughout its contents, you have now unlocked the art behind effective luminous communication—an ability that sets you apart as an accomplished mariner ready to conquer any nautical challenge masterfully. So go forth into vast oceanic adventures armed with both knowledge and skill; let your lights shine brightly as symbols of navigation finesse!

3) Frequently Asked Questions about Boat Flashing Light Signals Answered

Welcome to our blog section, where we provide detailed, professional, witty, and clever explanations to frequently asked questions about boat flashing light signals. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting your boating journey, understanding these signals is crucial for maintaining safety on the water. So buckle up and let’s dive into some of the most common queries surrounding boat flashing light signals.

1) What do different flashing light colors signify? Flashing lights come in various colors, each with its own meaning. Here’s a quick breakdown:

– White Light: This is typically used as an all-around white light that indicates a vessel ‘s presence. It helps other vessels identify its position and avoid collisions during nighttime operations.

– Red Light: A red flashing light can be seen on a port side or left-hand side of a vessel. It serves as an indicator for other boats to give way to the vessel exhibiting this signal.

– Green Light: Opposite to the red light, a green flashing light can be observed on the starboard side or right-hand side of a vessel. When spotted, it implies that other boats should steer clear and allow passage.

2) Why are there different combinations of flashing lights? Vessels exhibit varied combinations of flashing lights depending on their size, function, and unique circumstances at sea. These combinations serve as an additional layer of communication between boats in specific situations.

For example, commercial fishing vessels may display white and yellow lights together if they are actively engaged in fishing operations while moving. This combination alerts nearby vessels to exercise caution and maintain a safe distance.

3) How do I identify vessels at night solely based on their flashing lights ? Identifying vessels at night by their flashing lights requires some knowledge but is entirely possible with practice:

– Powerboats exhibit bright white unbroken or continuous flashlights. – Sailing vessels often have navigational lights visible from multiple angles (e.g., masthead light, stern light). – Tugs and towing vessels usually display white, yellow, and red lights simultaneously to indicate their unique activities.

Remember, identifying vessels based on their flashing lights alone might pose some challenges in certain situations. It’s always best to supplement your observations with other navigation aids like radar or AIS (Automatic Identification System) for accurate identification.

4) Can recreational boats use additional flashing lights ? While recreational boaters are not mandated to use additional flashing lights beyond what is legally required, they can utilize them as an extra safety measure in certain scenarios.

For instance, if navigating through narrow channels or congested areas, fitting your vessel with additional flashing lights can enhance visibility and make it easier for others to recognize your intentions. However, it’s important to adhere to relevant regulations governing the use of such additional lighting fixtures.

In conclusion, understanding boat flashing light signals is essential for maintaining safe maritime operations. By familiarizing yourself with these signals and their meanings, you’ll be better equipped to navigate through the waters and communicate effectively with other vessels. Remember that this blog serves as a guide but always refer back to official maritime guidelines specific to your area for comprehensive information on boat signalization. Bon voyage!

4) The Importance of Knowing Boat Flashing Light Signals for Safe Navigation

Title: A Beacon in the Sea: Unveiling the Importance of Knowing Boat Flashing Light Signals for Safe Navigation

Introduction:

Navigating through the vast expanse of the open sea can be an awe-inspiring adventure, but it also comes with a crucial responsibility – ensuring the safety of both your vessel and those around you. One often overlooked aspect of safe navigation is understanding boat flashing light signals. These visual cues are indispensable in conveying critical information to nearby vessels, guiding their actions and facilitating smooth maritime operations. In this blog post, we delve into the significance of knowing boat flashing light signals and how they contribute to a safer and more efficient seafaring experience.

1) Enhancing Communication:

Effective communication lays at the heart of smooth-sailing waters. Boat flashing light signals serve as an essential tool for conveying vital messages amidst vast distances, limited visibility conditions, or situations where radio communication may fail. By familiarizing yourself with these signals, you establish a common language shared by fellow seafarers – allowing quick comprehension even when linguistic barriers emerge.

2) Avoiding Collisions:

One cannot overemphasize the fundamental role that proper signaling plays in collision avoidance on waterways, especially during nighttime or reduced visibility scenarios. The flashing pattern and color displayed by another vessel’s lights can communicate its intended course of action (e.g., altering direction, reducing speed) or indicate potential hazards such as shallow waters or navigational obstacles. By becoming adept at interpreting these signals accurately, you gain greater situational awareness which helps avoid calamitous encounters that can lead to accidents or damage.

3) Complying with Regulations:

Boating laws universally mandate adherence to specific light signal codes as outlined by international maritime organizations like International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). Ensuring compliance not only prevents potential legal ramifications but also fosters harmony among fellow marine enthusiasts who rely on conformity to these standards for their own safety. As responsible boaters, it is our duty to know and adhere to these regulations.

4) Professionalism at Sea:

For those in the maritime profession, mastery of boat flashing light signals exudes professionalism and demonstrates a high level of competence. Whether you are a captain piloting enormous cargo vessels or a deckhand guiding passengers on smaller craft, possessing knowledge of these signals instills confidence in your crew and fosters trust among colleagues. In addition to promoting safety, this expertise can open doors for career advancement by showcasing your commitment to excellence and dedication to the craft.

5) A Boater’s Essential Toolbox:

Think of boat flashing light signals as indispensable tools that form an integral part of a mariner’s kit. Just like any other technical skill, understanding these signals equips you with an extra layer of control and versatility in your navigational toolkit. Amidst technological advancements, it is imperative not to overlook traditional techniques that have stood the test of time – offering reliable solutions even when modern systems might falter or fail.

Conclusion:

As avid boaters step onto their vessels and venture out into the vast blue horizons, let us not underestimate the importance of mastering boat flashing light signals. The ability to communicate effectively using these visual cues keeps us connected amidst challenging nautical conditions while fostering safer navigation practices for all seafarers. By investing time in learning and embracing this invaluable language of lights, we contribute not only to our personal growth but also uplift the entire marine community towards a future where sea-bound adventures align seamlessly with uncompromised safety standards.

5) Mastering the Art of Boat Flashing Light Signals: Tips and Tricks for Boaters

Blog Title: Mastering the Art of Boat Flashing Light Signals: Tips and Tricks for Boaters

Introduction: When it comes to boating, clear communication is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. One important aspect of maritime communication is the use of flashing light signals. Whether you’re navigating through congested waters or communicating with other vessels at night, mastering the art of boat flashing light signals can greatly enhance safety and efficiency. In this blog post, we will provide you with valuable tips and clever tricks that will help you become a pro at using flashing light signals.

1) Why are Flashing Light Signals Important? Flashing light signals serve as a universal language among boaters, enabling them to convey vital information without relying solely on verbal communication. They allow captains to communicate their intentions, indicate emergencies, avoid collisions, and more. By understanding and utilizing these signals effectively, you significantly reduce the risk of accidents while promoting seamless interaction with other vessels.

2) The Basics: Understanding Light Signal Terminology Before we delve into specific tips and tricks, it’s crucial to understand the terminology related to flashing light signals. Different combinations of lights have distinct meanings such as single short flash (S), prolonged flash (P), alternating long and short flashes (V), Morse code flashes (M), etc. Familiarize yourself with these terminologies by referring to official maritime guides or taking reputable online courses.

3) Key Situations Requiring Flashing Light Signals: a) Approaching Other Vessels: When approaching another vessel head-on or from astern, signaling your intentions becomes crucially important in preventing collisions. Use proper signal combinations like “one short – one prolonged” (S-P-S-P-S…) indicating your intention to pass starboard side. b) Overtaking Another Vessel: As a basic rule when overtaking another vessel during nighttime navigation, maintain proper distances while giving suitable signaling indications, like “two short flashes” indicating your intention to pass port side. c) Emergency Procedures: In case of an emergency or when you require immediate assistance, transmit a distress signal using the Morse code combination “SOS” (three short – three long – three short flashes).

4) Maximizing Visibility: Practical Tips a) Clean and polish your boat’s navigation lights regularly for optimum intensity and clarity. b) Invest in high-quality LED bulbs that provide brighter light and consume less battery power . c) Orientate your lights correctly to ensure they are visible from all angles, especially at further distances. d) Use different colored filters or transparent tape to modify the color of your regular navigation lights temporarily. This can help distinguish between vessels during specific maneuvers.

5) Memorize Maritime Rules and Regulations Understanding and abiding by international maritime regulations is crucial for every boater. These rules outline the proper usage of flashing light signals in various situations, ensuring uniformity across different boating communities worldwide. Familiarize yourself with these regulations, including the COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), which provide comprehensive guidelines related to navigation lights.

Conclusion: Mastering the art of boat flashing light signals is a valuable skill that every boater should strive to achieve. By following the tips and tricks provided in this blog post, you’ll enhance your communication abilities on the water, promoting safety, preventing accidents, and ultimately enjoying a more memorable boating experience. Remember, effective communication saves lives, so make sure you’re well-prepared before embarking on your next adventure!

6) Exploring Different Scenarios where Boat Flashing Light Signals Come into Play

In the vast realm of boating, communication is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. One important aspect of maritime communication is the use of flashing light signals, an essential tool for conveying messages between vessels. In this blog post, we will delve into various scenarios where these signals come into play, highlighting their significance and shedding light on how they can be effectively utilized.

Scenario 1: Navigating in Low Visibility Conditions Picture this: you’re out on your boat, cruising along when suddenly a dense fog rolls in, obscuring your vision. In such situations where visibility is compromised, flashing light signals become indispensable for alerting nearby vessels of your presence and intentions. Whether it’s signaling that you’re underway or indicating your planned direction, these lights convey crucial information that helps prevent collisions and promotes overall safety.

Scenario 2: Approaching Other Vessels at Night Night boating can be an exhilarating experience; however, encounters with other vessels can quickly turn dangerous if proper visual cues are not exchanged. This is where flashing light signals take center stage once again! By displaying particular sequences of short and long flashes – known as Morse code – you can communicate a range of messages including requests for passing port to port or starboard to starboard. These clever light patterns ensure that both boats remain on course without any confusion or unnecessary risks.

Scenario 3: Anchoring in Crowded Waters Beaches and harbors are popular destinations during sunny weekends, often resulting in crowded waters with multiple boats anchoring close by. To establish clear boundaries of their anchor positions and minimize potential collisions or tangled anchor lines, boaters rely on anchor lights – a powerful way to broadcast their position at night. These constant-burning white lights signify that a vessel is anchored while also giving others a sense of its size and maneuverability.

Scenario 4: Entering Harbors or Marinas Arriving at a bustling harbor or marina can be daunting, especially when it’s teeming with boats coming and going. Flashing light signals play a crucial role in this scenario by conveying navigational intentions, indicating if you are preparing to moor or leave the dock. By using predefined sequences like two short flashes followed by one long flash, boaters can effectively communicate their plan to nearby vessels who will then adjust their own actions accordingly.

Scenario 5: Emergency Situations While nobody hopes for emergencies at sea, being prepared for them is paramount. In dire situations such as distress, fire, or man overboard incidents, flashing light signals transform into potent SOS messages. By repeatedly flashing three short signals followed by three long signals and three more short ones (known widely as the international Morse code for SOS), you alert other vessels of your desperate need for assistance, ensuring a speedy response to your distress call.

Scenario 6: Traveling Through Lock Systems Navigating through lock systems presents its unique challenges due to limited space and specific procedures. Communicating effectively with lock operators becomes essential during these moments. Boaters employ specialized signals such as alternating red and green flashing lights or raising flags in specific manners to notify personnel that they are ready to enter the lock or require assistance.

Boat flashing light signals transcend mere aesthetics; they facilitate clear communication between vessels on water bodies both large and small. From low visibility conditions and night boating encounters to crowded harbors and emergency situations, the strategic use of flashing lights ensures smooth sailing for all parties involved. Understanding these scenarios and how to utilize these signals correctly is not only professional but also witty in its ability to promote safe navigation while adding an element of cleverness on the open seas.

Boat Navigation Light Rules Explained (For Beginners)

Boat navigation light rules can be a little difficult for newcomers to understand. This is probably because these light rules can change depending on a wide variety of factors.

Failing to comply with these rules can leave you open to enforcement violations as well as lawsuits.

Also, knowing these rules will help keep you and other boaters safe while out on the water, so you must learn and remember them.

Here’s everything you should know about the boat navigation light rules.

Table of Contents

Why Have Boat Navigation Light Rules At All

Boat navigation light rules help boaters communicate with each other. They also help to determine who has the right of way. This is important as it determines what actions boats will take as they pass one another.

Without these guidelines, there would be many more accidents out on the water as people wouldn’t know how to interact.

Remember, when you’re out on the open water, there aren’t any designated lanes to follow, and without rules, boaters can easily become confused about which way they should turn or whether or not they should even turn at all.

On top of this, these rules help establish methods for boaters to tell each other when they’re anchored or when they’re in distress. Use your lights correctly when you need help, and you’re much more likely to get it.

When do I Need to Follow Boat Navigation Light Rules?

Light rules apply any time between sunset and sunrise. They also apply any time visibility is low.

An example of this could be during foggy or rainy weather.

A more unusual example of this could be during a solar eclipse. Basically, if you feel that having the lights on will help others see you better, it’s a good idea to turn them on.

The Different Light Rules by Boat and Size

Different types of boats will have different light rules that they need to follow. These sets of rules are broken down based on whether the boat is a sailboat or a powered boat.

Once this is established, the rules are then broken down by size.

The different sizes to consider are boats shorter than 39.4 feet, boats sized between 39.4 and 65.6 feet, and boats greater than 65.6 feet.

If you’re wondering why the numbers are so precise, it’s because this is the conversion from meters. 39.4 feet equals 12 meters, and 65.6 feet equals 20 meters.

Generally, all boats will have a red light on their port side and a green light on their starboard side. To put it in plain English, if you’re in the driver’s seat, the red light goes on the left, and the green light goes on the right.

A white light should be at the stern of the boat. The stern is the rear of the boat.

Powered Boat Light Placement

Here are the lights you’ll need when operating a powered boat, depending on the size of the boat you’re operating.

Boats less than 12 meters or 39.4 feet long:

You’ll need one red light and one green light at the front port and starboard sides of the boat for these boats. These lights should be positioned so that they can be seen at an angle of 112.5 degrees. The sidelights should be strong enough to be seen from a mile away.

You’ll also need to mount them towards the bow of the boat. This is otherwise known as the front of the boat.

Additionally, you’ll need one white light that can be seen from all angles. It should be strong enough to be seen from two miles away.

This light will need to be mounted at least 39 inches or 99 centimeters higher than the red and green lights.

Boats greater than 12 meters or 39.4 feet but less than 20 meters or 65.6 feet:

With boats of this size, you’ll still need your red and green lights, but your white lights will change.

In this case, you’ll mount a red light to your port or left side and a green light to your starboard or right side. These lights will need to be seen from an angle of 112.5 degrees, and they’ll need to be seen from a distance of one mile.

The two white lights will need to be mounted at the stern and masthead of the boat. Stern lights can also be referred to as the aft light. Either way, it just means the light at the back of the boat.

This light will need to be seen from a 225-degree angle facing the rear. It needs to be strong enough to be seen from 2 miles away.

The masthead light is at the forward position of the boat. This light is mounted on the masthead, and it must cover a 135-degree angle.

The light will need to be visible from 2 miles away.

Masthead lights must be mounted at least 8 feet above the gunnel. The gunnel is the top edge of the side of the boat.

Boats larger than 20 meters or 65.6 feet long:

To operate a non-commercial boat over 20 meters or 65.6 meters long, you’ll have to have the same lights in the same positions as the smaller boats. However, you’ll also need to add matt black inboard screens to your sidelights.

Sail Boats and Other Unpowered Boats

These boats can be broken down into two different size categories.

These two categories are under 23 feet or 7 meters and boats that are over 23 feet or 7 meters.

Unpowered boats such as sailboats, rowboats, and kayaks under 23 feet in length only need to have a white light on them. This white light can be anything from a flashlight to a lantern.

However, you can still opt to place red and green lights at their appropriate places.

Larger sailboats will need to have a 135 degree white light at the stern and 112.5 degree red and green lights at the port and starboard sides. The white light should be visible from 2 miles away, while the red and green lights should be visible from 1 mile away.

Alternatively, a tri-color light could be placed on the masthead.

This light will have all three lights built into it, and it should be visible from at least 2 miles away.

Advice For All Boats Regarding Light

Regardless of what boat size you’re on, it is a good idea to have a flashlight with you.

If your boat lights become inoperable, you’ll at least have one light that you can signal with.

Should you find yourself on the water at night in a disabled boat , your flashlight may be the only thing keeping you from being crashed into.

Light Rules For Boats at Anchor

When you’re anchored at a marina or dock, you won’t have to worry about specific boat light rules and regulations.

However, when you’re anchored out on the water, you must follow boat light rules as this will help keep other boaters from running into you.

It will also help establish that you have the right of way so you won’t have to move every time a larger boat comes your way.

Of course, having the right lights doesn’t mean you’ll be able to anchor just anywhere. You’ll still have to follow any inland rules when it comes to anchoring your boat.

When anchored, you’ll need to display an all-around white light that lets other boaters know your position. This light should be placed where other boaters can best see it. For example, a sailboat might put this light at the top of its mast. Also, another all-around white light might be placed near the deck to help identify your anchored boat to nearby boats.

Boats Under Distress

Boats under distress should display what is known as a visual distress signal so that they can get help. At night, these distress signals will come in flares, parachute flares, and lights.

You should have at least three devices on your boat to use for signaling.

This could come in a variety of forms, and you can use the same one three times. For example, your three devices could be having three signaling flares with you.

Only use these lights when you’re in danger. Failure to do so can result in heavy fines and potential imprisonment.

Determining Who Has The Right of Way

When you come across another boat, and you can only see a white light, then you’ll know that you’re either approaching an anchored vessel or a vessel that is moving in front of you. In this case, you can overtake them and go around them from either side.

If you come across a green light and a white light, then you have the right of way. In boating terms, this means that you are the stand-on vessel.

Technically speaking, the other boat should give way, and you won’t have to worry about changing your course.

However, there is always a chance that the other person will not give way for some reason, and you should be ready to move. You never know, the other boater may not see you, or they may not know the rules as they should. Remember, being right won’t mean anything if you end up dead in a boat crash.

If you come across a red and white light, you are the one that needs to give way. In this case, you’ll want to slow your boat down and pass by them, probably behind their path.

In all of these scenarios I described, you were in a powered vessel, and you were passing a powered boat or a sailboat that was driving while under power.

However, what happens when you encounter a sailboat or other unpowered vessel in a powered vessel?

In this case, you’ll see a red light, a green light, or a white light, but you won’t see all three. Regardless of what you see, you’ll want to give way. This is because these boats can’t maneuver as well as you, and they probably won’t be able to get out of your way before you come across them.

At this point, you can see why different boats need different types of lights and why it’s important to use the lights that apply to your particular craft. Use the wrong lights, and you’ll confuse the other boaters around you. This could easily lead to an accident that could have easily been avoided.

What About Boaters Who Are Color Blind?

Unfortunately, people who are color blind won’t safely operate a boat at night by themselves.

Also, they won’t be able to get a captain’s license as you need to pass a color blind test to get this license. Here’s an article we wrote about all you need to know about boat license types (with prices) .

If you’d like to do some recreational boating at night, but you can’t differentiate between the colors red and green, you might want to consider bringing a friend along.

This way, your friend can tell you what colors you’re coming up on so that you can safely navigate yourself past other boats.

4 Types of Boat Lights

The red and green lights that go on the sides of a boat are known as sidelights.
White lights that only face backward are known as stern lights, and white lights that face forward are known as masthead lights.
An all-round white light is a white light that faces 360 degrees. These lights are used on smaller boats and on boats that are at anchor. They can be replaced by making use of a stern light and a masthead light.
Another type of light is the tri-color light. A tri-color light can be used on a sailboat to portray the white, green, and red lights. Bi-color lights are also available for small powered boats and sailboats. These lights display both red and green light.

The combination of lights that are displayed will always give the boater a 360-degree field of light.

This ensures that other boaters can see them no matter where they are in relation to each other.

Safety Precautions To Be Aware Of

Even new boats can have lights that weren’t configured correctly or lights that don’t work.

It’s important that you check these lights before you head out on the water.

This is true even if you don’t intend on staying out after dark. After all, it’s always possible that you could become stranded until after dark or that it could become too foggy to operate out on the water without lights.

Other Things You Should Know About Boating At Night

Boat navigational light rules are critical for nighttime boating, but there are other things to consider as well.

One thing to consider when boating at night is the use of a lookout.

Having one of your passengers act as a lookout will make it more likely that you’ll spot problems in advance.

Remember, other boaters aren’t the only potential hazards you can run into at night. Shallow shipwrecks, low water depths, and unlit piers, docks, and jetties can also become hazards if they aren’t noticed in time for you to avoid them.

High beams should be used for docking purposes only. This is because using them while on the water can confuse other boaters.

Also, the high beams can shine into other sailor’s eyes and can give them night blindness.

Just think about it this way.

It isn’t safe to drive towards another car with your high beams on, so why would it be safe to drive towards another boat with high beams on?

Driving Speed

Nighttime boating should be done at slower speeds than day time boating. The primary reason for this is that visibility is more limited at night.

Driving slower will help to give you more time to react to boaters and other hazards.

When you first start boating, you’ll still have to take a moment to think about the lights you see. Driving at a slower speed will give you this additional time without affecting your safety.

Not All Lights On The Water Are Boats!

I’ll end this post with a funny story I once heard about a boat traveling at night. This story has changed many times over the years, but the gist of it’s still the same.

It goes like this:

A large vessel was traveling at night when they came across a white light in front of them. The ship captain immediately got on the radio and contacted the other vessel to demand that they get out of the way.

The other vessel responded by telling the captain to change his course. To this, the captain responded with, “This is the warship, the USS Enterprise, and I demand you change course, or we’ll be forced to take action!”.

To this, the other vessel responded with, “This is a lighthouse, and you are on course to become shipwrecked.”.

This isn’t a real story, and now that you know proper boat navigation light rules, it is a story that could never happen to you.

If you came across a white light and thought it was a boat, you’d assume it was unpowered or at anchor, and you’d take steps to go around it.

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Ultimate Guide To Marine Navigation Lighting

Ultimate Guide To Marine Lighting: marine navigation lighting

If you drive a car or even ride a bicycle, you might be well aware of the necessity of lighting systems (though in the second case the word ‘system’ doesn’t quite apply) for the safety of you and the people around you. The thing applies just as well for ships. But since they are much larger than a car, the lighting system or navigation lights on ships is a little bit more complicated as well. Marine navigation lighting is also one of the most critical aspects of nautical studies.

It is mandatory for boats of all sizes to have a navigation system . This is to make sure that the chances of any significant accident are minimized. The United States introduced the system in 1838, and the United Kingdom followed suit. Before being internationally adopted in 1897 suitable guidelines were established by the International Maritime Conference which was established in 1889. Three colors were chosen that were to be used for the light colors. They were red, green and white. This was based on a set of rules specified by the US and are followed around the world to this date.

This article discusses the different rules and regulations of using navigation lights, their importance, and also some basic marine navigation lighting systems along with their positions and ranges.

Marine Navigational Lights, Rules and Regulations

A standard pattern of marine navigation lighting is followed for the identification of both the vessel as well as the IALA buoyage system at night. If you are required to move from sea to a channel you need to have a list of all the IALA as well as the other fixed navigational lights that are visible on entering the channel. This includes distant lighthouses as well.

If you also make a note of the inland features like the radio and television transmitter masts it will benefit you because they act as good navigational aids due to their height and warning lights.

The helmsman should not be using any bright light source in the cockpit area and should rather take the aid of red lights and very dim white lights in the galley and navigation area. This is because he needs to preserve his night vision so that he can accurately interpret both the buoyage marine navigation lights as well as the boat navigation lights of other vessels.

The nautical almanacs contain the details of each and every visible maritime light signal coming from navigational markers that are both inside and outside the channel.

All the details about any particular light can be found in a published list or on a marine navigational lights chart: its color, period, and in some cases even the elevation and range of the beacon. Use the chart to keep a tag on the lights you are passing by putting a tick mark on the lights that you are about to pass and as the boat sails past, the tick is checked.

You will get two visual clues to figure out how far you are away from a buoy. The light will elevate from the horizon at 0.5 nm and at about 200m, the light will reflect on the surface.

Position of Boat Navigation Lights

Most of the variations that can be found in the different vessels can be read about in most almanacs. At the very basic level, a vessel needs to show a red light to port and green light to starboard. Depending on the size of the vessel, one or more colored or white lights are used as well.

For vessels that are 12 ft in length or shorter, the navigation lights must be visible from a range of one nautical mile and for the ones that are longer than 12 meters the required visibility range is 2 nautical miles. From 5 degrees above to 5 degrees below the horizontal happens to be the required minimum intensity in a vertical sector.

International Navigation Rules state that the boat navigation lights should be placed above the uppermost continuous deck. In case separate fixtures are used for the red and green sidelights, the masthead or all-round white light is placed as close as possible to the vessel’s fore and aft centerline. The masthead or all-around light needs to be positioned at least 1 m or 3.3 ft above the sidelights.

Following are the basic positions of navigational lights. We will discuss the same in greater detail ahead.

Ultimate Guide To Marine Navigation Lighting 1

Boat Navigation Light Regulations

Several rules and specifications are related to the type, size, layout, arc, and distance of visibility of boat navigation lights used by all vessel types which are collectively known as the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea or COLREGs . The navigational lights used are known as ‘COLREG lights and shapes. A boat might be anchored or underway, under sail or power, or fishing or trawling. These various situations can be communicated through multiple combinations of boat navigational lights.

In addition to the primary navigation lights, vessels may also display one or more steaming lights. These lights are very useful for it gives details about the various aspects of the ship like whether it is in the sail or under power, the direction in which it is going and, in some cases, even the size of the vessel. If a ship is engaged in a specific task that might involve certain restrictions, that too can be indicated with some extra boat lights.

Always maintain the lighting system and display the correct navigation light combination to make other vessels in the vicinity aware of your course and state as to whether your vessel is under power or not. If you follow this a considerable amount lowers the chances of a collision. Here is a list that you might use to familiarise yourself with the basics of the lighting system.

Basic Navigation Light White Light : Small dinghies that are 7m or less in size are required to carry a torch having a white light that can be flashed when needed.
All-Round White Light: An all-round white light is expected to be displayed by a small boat, up to 7ft long that is under power and can go beyond 7 knots of speed. This light must be visible at an angle of 360 degrees and from two miles away. An all-around white light is also used when the boat or vessel is at anchor but not at a designated anchoring area. This is to make sure that the ship is visible to all the nearby ships to avoid any accidents.
Stern and Combined Side Lights : A stern light is a white light that is installed at the end of a boat. A vessel that is over 7 m or 23 ft in length is expected to show red and green sidelights when sailing. Each of these lights needs to cover an arc of 112.5°. The sidelights may be combined in one lantern at the bow when below 25 m or 65 ft. The white stern light can be seen over an arc of 135°. These lights need to be visible from a distance of a mile and need to be placed 39 inches below all white lights for boats of lengths equal to or less than 12 ft.
Masthead Light : A combination of sidelight and stern light in a tricolor combination may be used sailing yachts of heights 20 m or lower. A masthead light is required by vessels of lengths between 39.4 ft and 65.6 ft. It is placed in the masthead whose height provides excellent visibility. Still, stern lights and sidelights should be fitted separately in case of or use under power along with steaming light. This kind of light needs to be visible across an angle of 225 degrees and from a minimum distance of 2 miles.
Separate Lights : The displaying of the tricolor masthead light is not allowed in the case of yachts that are longer than 20 m or 65 ft. Instead, they use them separately. Often on large sailing vessels, these all-around, red over green lights are present. These red and green sidelights need to be visible from a distance of one mile and across an angle of 112.5 degrees.
Steaming Lights Combined Lights : A combination of the masthead and stern light are used in the case of power crafts that are less than 20 m or 65 ft in length. The arrangement is present at the bow.
Single Steaming Light : Visible over a 225 degrees arc, a masthead steaming light is used by power-driven vessels that are up to 50 m or 160 ft long. Separate stern lights and sidelights are used in case of a length exceeding 20 m or 65 ft.
Two Steaming Lights: Power-driven vessels that span over 50 m or 160 ft in length display two masthead steaming lights. The forward light placed lower than the aft light with both of them being visible over an arc of 225° with the sidelights and separate stern light.

The area of the nautical lighting system is a precise business and requires some amount of study and a good deal of responsibility. It is because its application forms a core element in safe marine navigation.

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Navigation Lights on Sailing Yachts and Motor Boats

Navigation lights ensure the safety of everyone at sea. The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IMO COLREG 72) precisely sets out the guidelines for navigation lights, i.e., displaying lights, their range (distance from which the light is visible), as well as how they should be constructed and assembled. Our guide is of interest to sailors and sports boats enthusiasts with boats up to 20 m in length.

Regulations and official certifications:

When must navigation lights be displayed, what are the regulations concerning the use of navigation lights at sea, how do i know that my lights are eu-compliant, what is a ce mark, how are navigation lights defined, minimum range of navigation lights:.

From what distance must lights be visible?
What lights are required for my boat?

What lights must be displayed on a sailboat or rowing boat with a motor?

What lights should i exhibit when at anchor, what lights should be displayed to show that a vessel is unable to manoeuvre.

How do I indicate that my vessel has run aground?

Navigation lights – Conventional and LED:

What distinguishes led from conventional navigation lights.

Replacement bulbs for conventional & LED lights

What are the advantages of LED navigation lights?

Switching from conventional to led navigation lights.

According to COLREGs part C, rule 20), navigation lights must always be used on board from sunset to sunrise or during the day if visibility is poor.

Please refer to the German Traffic Regulations for Navigable Maritime Waterways , §8 -10 and Preventing Collisions at Sea. Part C - Lights and Shapes. rules 20 - 31, and annexes I 1. - 14 for the exact wording.

NOTE: Vessels that are authorised to fly the German flag are generally only permitted to use approved navigation lights and sound signalling devices.

EU approval can be identified via the wheel mark symbol and the notified body number. BSH approved navigation lights (previously DHI) are marked with a model number (e.g., BSH/00/01/90).

However, even older lights with DHI approval that have already been installed maintain their approval, despite the changes made by the BSH.

In addition to the wheel mark symbol and German BSH approval, some lights are also approved by other countries, such as RINA (Registro Italiano Navale), MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) and the USCG (United States Coast Guard). These are now recognised, provided the approval comes from the national approval body recognised in the country of origin.

National bodies whose accreditation is currently recognised in Germany:

Canada:	Marine Safety Directorate
China:	CCS China Classification Society
Denmark:	Danish Maritime Authority
Finnland:	Finnish Maritime Administration
France:	Bureau Veritas S.A.
England:	Marine Safety Agency
Greece:	Ministry of Merchant Marine
Iceland:	Icelandic Maritime Administration
Italy:	Registro Italiano Navale
Japan	Nippon Kaiji Kyokai Material & Equipment
Croatia:	Croatian register of Shipping
Netherlands:	Directorate-General for Freight Transport, Shipping Inspectorate
Norway:	Sjofartsdirektoratet, Norwegian Maritime Directorate
Poland:	Polski Rejestr Statkow S.A.
Russia:	Russian Maritime Register of Shipping

The wheel mark symbol indicates approval of the Marine Equipment Directive (MED). This approval is valid for all EU member states, both for commercial vessels and recreational shipping.

0098 = Notified Body number (here 0098 = Germanischer Lloyd in Hamburg) 18 = year in which the mark is affixed, here 2018

A CE mark is a symbol that must be affixed to a product by the manufacturer before it is sold on the European market. It indicates that the manufacturer is aware of the specific requirements for the product in question and that it fulfils the requirements of relevant European product directives. A CE mark does not supersede approval according to collision prevention regulations.
Navigation lights are defined in detail by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), according to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs) Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972), in sections C and D. The following rules apply:

Which navigation lights are required on board according to IMO COL REG?

Definitions according to the 1972 International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COL REG 72):

1. Side lights for starboard and port

A green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side, which shine from dead ahead in an arc of 112.5° aft to a point 22.5° abaft the beam (behind the beam) on either side of the vessel. On ships of less than 20 metres in length, the two individual sidelights may be replaced by a dual-colour combined light. This must be centrally located on the bow and stern axis.

2. Stern light

A white light mounted as close to the stern as possible and shines dead ahead in an arc of 135° (67.5° to each side). The mounting height should be aligned to the height of the side lights and should never be higher.

3. Three-colour light for sailing vessels (sailing lights)

On sail boats up to a length of 20 m, the side light and stern light can be combined into one three-colour light mounted on top of the mast. However, as soon as the sail boat's motor is engaged, the use of a three-colour light is no longer permitted. The rules for motor-powered vessels then apply.

4. Mast-head light

A white light placed over the centre line of the vessel and shines dead ahead in an arc of 225° (from straight ahead up to 22.5° more aft than crosswise to each side). The mounting height should be at least 1 m higher than the side lights. In the past, the mast-head light was also referred to as a steam boat light or steamer light, as it is only seen on ships that operate under engine power.

5. Signal light or all-round light

A light that shines in a complete circle of 360°. It may emit white, red or green light, depending on use. Examples of use: All sailboats and motorboats at anchor must exhibit a white anchor light . Ships over 12m in length must, if necessary, display vessel-in-distress lights (two red signal lights) placed at a vertical distance of at least 12 m. The distance between such lights must not exceed 1 m.

From what distance must navigation lights be visible?

The range indicates the distance from which the light can be seen. The minimum ranges of navigation lights are defined according to ship size as follows::

Ships up to 12m in overall length	Range in nautical miles (NM)
Mast-head light	2 NM
Side light (starboard /port)	1 NM
Stern light	2 NM
Three-colour light (sail boat when at sail)	2 NM
All-round light (white, red, green all-round light)	2 NM

Ships of 12 - 49 m overall length	Range in nautical miles (NM)
Mast-head light	3 NM (up to 20 m) / 5 NM (from 20m)
Side light (starboard /port)	2 NM
Stern light	2 NM
Three-colour light (sail boat when at sail)	2 NM
All-round light (white, red, green all-round light)	2 NM

Ships from 50 m overall length	Range in nautical miles (NM)
Mast-head light	6 NM
Side light (starboard /port)	3 NM
Stern light	3 NM
All-round light (white, red, green all-round light)	3 NM

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Note: When sailing boats are powered by a motor, the rules for motorboats apply and not for sailboats. The tricolour light may then no longer be displayed.

Displaying lights for sailboats up to 20 m

1 x red port side light

1 x green starboard light

1 x stern light

Also allowed:

1 x red all-round light on or near the mast top

1 x green all-round light on or near the mast top

1 x 3-colour light

Sailing vessels under 7 m (dinghies or small sports boats)

If, due to their design, no modern lights can be fitted, sailing vessels under 7 m in length and vessels being rowed must always carry an electric torch or lantern showing a white light, ready to exhibit in sufficient time to prevent a collision.

1 x Electric light or a torch with white light

Motorised vessels over 12 m

Lights used must be either / or:

1 x white masthead light fore

1 x dual colour light

Motorised vessels under 12 m

Alternatively, motorised vessels under 12 m can exhibit the following lights:

1 x white all-round light

Motorised vessels under 7 m and 7 knots maximum speed (small motor boats, dinghies or inflatables):

Motorised vehicles under 7 metres and with a maximum speed of no more than 7 knots can display the following navigation lights: all-round lights, portside and starboard lights.

The following applies in accordance with German Traffic Regulations for Navigable Maritime Waterways (SeeSchStrO): If, due to their design, no lights can be displayed (e.g., dinghies), sailing vessels under 7 m in length and 7 knots maximum speed must carry an electric hand-held spotlight or a torch to prevent collisions in the dark.

Left: 1 x white all-round light, 1 x red port side light, 1 x green starboard light

Right: 1 x hand-held spotlight or torch

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Provided no engine power is used, the rules for sailboats apply. Motor-sailing vessels must display a large black cone pointing downwards when sailing during the day or at good light.

For vessels travelling under sail or at rudder during darkness or at reduced visibility, the rules for carrying lights for motorised boats automatically apply. This then depends on the length of the boat.

By day with a black cone, tip pointing downwards.

Visual signalling equipment

Torches % Spotlights

How must navigation lights be mounted on board?

Navigation lights must be securely mounted perpendicular to the waterline. Mast-head lights and stern lights should both be placed above the keel line.

At anchor during daylight? This must be displayed with a black anchor ball.

If the vessel is anchored outside of an area of water known by the River and Shipping Police Authority as an anchorage and berth for small vessels, this must be indicated as follows:

A black ball by day, 1 x white all-round light at night

Anchor Lights

If your boat is unable to manoeuvre*, this should be indicated as follows:

Stationary: 2 x red all-round light, 2 x black ball, one below the other (during the day)

Moving: 1 x red port side light, 1 x green starboard light, 1 x white stern light

* A vessel is described as if, due to exceptional circumstances (e.g., rudder failure or engine malfunction), it cannot manoeuvre as prescribed and therefore cannot avoid another vessel.

How do I indicate correctly that my sailboat or motorboat has run aground?

If your boat has run aground, this should be indicated as follows:

2 x red all-round light, 1 x white all-round light, 3 x black ball, one below the other (during the day)

Manufacturers that specialise in navigation lights such as Aqua Signal or Hella Marine supply a wide range of internationally approved navigation lights which work with conventional (with BSH bulb) or with permanently installed light-emitting semiconductor components (LEDs). The bulbs required for operation are an integral part of the approval. Replacement bulbs must also be certified so that approval / your insurance protection is guaranteed. Ships under 20 m: Stern and anchor lights require BSH-approved light bulbs with 10 watts, all other navigation lights 25 watts.

Spare light bulb for series	Stern l / Anchor l. 12 V/10W	Stb./BB, Masth / All-rnd l. 12 V / 25W
Aqua Signal, Serie 40	SVB Art. Nr. 10203	SVB Art. Nr. 10206
Aqua Signal, Serie 41	SVB Art. Nr. 10203	SVB Art. Nr. 10206
Aqua Signal, Serie 50	SVB Art. Nr. 10203	SVB Art. Nr. 10206
Hella Marine, Serie 2984	SVB Art. Nr. 10203	SVB Art. Nr. 10206

All series listed above with BAY15d sockets could alternatively be operated with a high-Power LED . The big advantage in doing so is that the LED is suitable for multiple voltages (10-30 V) and consumes just 3 watts during operation. Since the light colour, range of light or beam angle can vary depending on the housing, this light is NOT yet internationally approved.

Spare Bulbs - Conventional & LED

Energy consumption on sailing ships is, as ever, a topic of significant interest. This is especially true for blue-water sailors who like to sail longer distances at a stretch. The arguments for converting to LED technology are as follows:

High energy savings due to the low power consumption
Long lifespan (over 10,000 hours)
MultivoltTM technology (10-30V) with greater tolerance to voltage peaks
Compact and light housing constructions
Waterproofed, hermetically sealed housings
Maintenance free

When switching completely from conventional navigation lights to LED lights, lights with the BSH seal of approval / EU wheel mark meet all the requirements in terms of light colour (no risk of blue tint), range of light and beam angle, and that you are travelling in accordance with KVR.

Navigation lights with LED technology

Replacing your navigation lights is often easy to do as manufacturers usually use the same mounting points for LED lights or have an adapter plate for further use of existing drill holes:

Existing series:	New LED series:
Aqua Signal, Series 40 with quicfit socket	Series 34 with quicfit socket
Aqua Signal, series 41	Series 41 (use identical drill holes)
Aqua Signal, series 40 and 50	Series 43 using adapter plate, SVB no. 14557
Aqua Signal, series 40 and 50	Series 44 using adapter plate, SVB no. 14557

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Written by our SVB (technical) experts

Our SVB safety experts regularly carry out maintenance checks and tests on our safety products, such as life jackets, life rafts etc. They test products and base their recommendations on many years of experience and their own know-how.

several tankers and recreational boats share a bay at sunset

Rules of the Road

Right of way rules.

Whenever you meet another boat, it’s like approaching an unmarked intersection in your car. Knowing a few, simple right of way rules will help you avoid a collision. Just as motorists must know what to do when approaching a four way stop, every crossing situation at sea is like approaching an unmarked intersection.

Because there are so many different types of boats and styles of boating, it is important to know what to expect when you come upon another vessel.

"Vessels" are anything that floats on the water that is used, or is capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. A log, a bathtub and many other things could be considered a vessel under the Navigation Rules. The Navigation Rules distinguish one vessel from another by both its design, and by its actions. This section covers maneuvering rules only.

There are other navigation rules that you are required to know. Sound Rules are covered under the Sound Signaling Equipment section. Light Rules are covered under the Navigation Light Equipment section.

The Rules of the Road are published by the U. S. Government Printing Office, and are available in any boating supply stores. Every boat owner should have a copy, but they are mandatory to be kept on vessels over 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length.

The Rules generally used in this course are Inland Rules, unless otherwise noted. There are small but important differences in the Rules depending on where you are operating your boat. It is your responsibility to know the Navigation Rules for your boating area.

International Rules - Apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected to them that are navigable by seagoing vessels.
Inland Rules - Apply to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States, and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law. Certain inland waterways may have specific provisions that apply to certain vessels.
Great Lakes - Includes the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters including the Calumet River as far as the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Controlling Works (between mile 326 and 327), the Chicago River as far as the east side of the Ashland Avenue Bridge (between mile 321 and 322), and the Saint Lawrence River as far east as the lower exit of Saint Lambert Lock.
Western Rivers - Includes the Mississippi River, its tributaries, South Pass, and Southwest Pass, to the navigational demarcation lines dividing the high seas from harbors, rivers, and other inland waters of the United States, and the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route, and that part of the Atchafalaya River above its junction with the Port Allen-Morgan City Alternate Route including the Old River and the Red River.

Vessel Types

Power Driven Vessel - Any vessel propelled by machinery. This includes any boat that has an engine. Sailboats are considered powerboats when they are being propelled by a motor - even if the sails are up.
Sailing Vessel - Any vessel under sail alone. Remember, if being propelled by a motor, a sailboat is considered to be a powerboat.
Vessels Engaged in Fishing - Means any vessel fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other fishing apparatus which restrict maneuverability, but does not include a vessel fishing with trolling lines or other fishing gear which doesn't restrict maneuverability. This means a shrimper out of Galveston is "engaged in fishing" Someone out trolling for stripers in their Grady-White is NOT considered to be engaged in fishing under the Rules.
Seaplanes - Are any aircraft designed to operate on the water.
Vessels Constrained by Draft - Means that a vessel can't deviate from a course/channel because they might run aground. A freighter in a narrow channel is an example of this. Note: This is for International waters only, not Inland.
Vessels Restricted in Their Ability to Maneuver - Means a vessel that can't maneuver as required by the rules because of the size or operation of the vessel. A fishing vessel pulling in nets and a buoy tender placing a buoy are both examples of a vessel restricted in their ability to maneuver.
Vessels not under Command - Any vessel that for some exceptional circumstance is unable to maneuver as required by the Rules, and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. If Joe boater slips and knocks himself out, and can no longer steer--that's a vessel not under command. If the steering cable goes out, and you can't turn the boat, that's a vessel not under command. If the captain is not paying attention and hits another boat, that's negligence.
Underway - Means that you are not anchored, moored, at the dock, or aground. If you are even drifting along, you are underway.
Restricted Visibility - Means any condition such as fog, mist, falling snow, rain, or other similar causes that make it difficult to see other vessels. Losing your glasses is NOT restricted visibility.

Rule, Rule, Rule your Boat

It may seem as if you can do anything you want while you are on the water (You might also think that it looks as if everyone else is going crazy on the water). Boating on a crowded waterway can be scary! The good news is that there are rules to govern the action of each vessel. The bad news is that many vessel operators do not know the rules!

Not complying with the Rules - even if you don't know them, can get you in trouble on the water. Even if you think you are following the Rules, if there is something that you can do to avoid a collision - you must do it, even if you deviate from a different Navigation Rule.

It is your responsibility as the ship's captain to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and to operate your vessel in a safe manner. Caution may not be fun, but having an accident sure stinks.

The Rules state that every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing conditions to determine if a risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.

Rules Explained

The Rules are designed to tell you what to do when you operate your vessel near other vessels. The purpose of the Rules of the Road is to help you avoid an accident--not to establish responsibility or liability if you get into an accident. - Remember, if you get into an accident, you can be held liable, even if you followed the Rules to the letter!

Your primary obligation is to operate in a safe manner. Under the Rules, there is no "right-of-way" like there is on a street. For most situations, Boats are called one of the following.

Give-Way Vessel - If you are the Give-Way vessel, you must act as if the "stand-on" vessel has the right to keep going the way it is going. It is your responsibility to signal your intentions to the stand-on vessel, and it is your responsibility to maneuver your boat around the other in a safe manner. Also known as a "Burdened" vessel, as it has the burden of.
Stand-On Vessel - If you are the Stand-On vessel, it is your responsibility to acknowledge the intended actions of the give-way vessel. You must also maintain your current course and speed until the give-way vessel passes, or you enter a dangerous situation.

Operator Responsibilities

In addition to the Rules, you have other responsibilities as the captain as well. You are responsible for the safety of everyone aboard your vessel at all times--and you have a responsibility to those with whom you are sharing the water.

You must always operate at a safe controlled speed for the situation in which you are boating, and any legally mandated speed requirements that there may be, such as a slow/no wake zone.
Take care to avoid careless, reckless or negligent boat operations--such as operating too closely to other vessels, boating under the influence, or operating at an unsafe speed for the given conditions.
Steer clear of naval vessels, and other restricted facilities such as bridges, power plants and dams. New Homeland security measures require it, as does your safety! For more information, see the Homeland Security pages.

Finally, as a boater, you have a responsibility to all other boaters--and all others who enjoy the water--to be courteous and respectful of others. This means that you should always watch your boat noise (a legal requirement) avoid congested waters as much as possible, avoid disturbing wildlife and sea grasses, and look out for the safety and well being of other boaters by giving a hand to those in need.

The Pecking Order

There is a "pecking order" that can be used as a simplified memory aid to determine right of way for vessels of different types. Get very familiar with this list, as it is important to understand it thoroughly. The lower most vessel on the list is the give way vessel, and must stay out of the way of vessels that are higher on the list.

Overtaken vessel (top priority)
Vessels not under command
Vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver
Vessels constrained by draft
Fishing vessels engaged in fishing, with gear deployed
Sailing vessels
Power driven vessels

Collision Avoidance

Rules apply to vessels in all conditions of visibility. Rules are the same at night or in fog, for instance, as they are during a bright sunny day.
Every vessel must maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing at all times. Operator inattention and not having an adequate look out are a leading cause of accidents each year.
Every vessel must proceed at a safe speed at all times. Several factors should be considered when determining safe speed, including but not limited to the state of visibility, traffic density, your vessel's maneuverability, with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability. At night, consider the presence of background lights such as those from shore, or from the back-scatter of your vessel's own lights. Consider also the state of wind, sea, and current, and the proximity of navigational hazards.
The Rules specifically require that any action taken to avoid collision, if the circumstances allow, will be positive, made in ample time, and in keeping with good seamanship. Any changes in course or speed should be large enough to be readily apparent to the other vessel. This means that you should avoid last second changes in course, and you should avoid a small series of changes. Change direction early, and make a large turn.

Maneuvering

The main situations of collision risk are overtaking, meeting head-on, and crossing. When one of two vessels is to keep out of the way (give-way vessel), the other, the stand-on vessel, must maintain course and speed. The stand-on vessel must take avoiding action when it becomes apparent that the vessel required to give way is not taking appropriate action.

The Crossing Rule

Both International and Inland Rules state that when two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side (the give-way vessel) must keep out of the way.

As the give-way vessel it is your duty to avoid a collision. Typically, this means you must alter speed or direction to cross behind the other vessel (the stand-on vessel).

At night, if you see a red light crossing right-to-left in front of you, you need to change your course. If you see a green light crossing from left-to-right, you are the stand-on vessel, and should maintain course and speed.

The Meeting Situation

At times there may be some doubt whether the situation is a crossing or a head-on meeting. In case of doubt, you should assume that it is a meeting situation, in which neither vessel has a clear-cut "right-of-way," and each must act to avoid the other. Each vessel in a meeting situation must alter course to starboard so that each will pass on the port side of the other. At night, you will recognize a head-on meeting situation if you see both red and green side lights at the same time.

The Overtaking Situation

Any vessel overtaking any other vessel must keep out the way of the vessel being overtaken. The former is the give-way vessel and the latter is the stand-on vessel.

This rule applies even if the overtaking vessel is propelled by wind, oars, or rubber band paddlewheel.

A vessel is deemed to be overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft (behind) her beam. This is the angle prescribed by the stern light.

At night, the overtaking vessel will see only the white stern light of the vessel being overtaken. If you see either side light, it is a crossing situation.

Operating in a Narrow Channel

First and foremost, you have to avoid larger vessels that can only travel in a channel. Even if your vessel is operating under the rules otherwise, you must give way to a boat that could potentially run aground or get into a collision if they left the channel.

Try and operate on the edge of the channel. Be extra cautious if you come to a bend in the waterway, and can't see traffic coming towards you.

You may sound a prolonged blast as a warning to traffic headed your way.

On the Great Lakes and Western River system, vessels going downstream are stand-on, vessels going up stream must give-way.

Potential Collision Situation

When the distance between two vessels decreases and the relative angle of the other vessel off the bow remains the same, then you will soon be trying to occupy the same spot in the water - a collision situation. Change course or reduce speed, even if you are the stand-on vessel.

Conduct of Vessels During Periods of Restricted Visibilty

Operating a boat in areas or at times of restricted visibility requires extra concentration by the skipper and the lookout. You must operate your vessel at a speed at which you can identify and react to a situation and still have enough time to avoid a collision. This is especially important when vessels are no in sight of one another.

Operate at a safe speed for the prevailing circumstances
Have engines ready for immediate maneuvering - including reverse
Don't rely on radar or other electronic imaging alone - use your buiilt in senses at all times
Take avoiding actions early and provide ample time for the other vessels to maneuver
Avoid sharp turns if being overtaken
Always - you are in doubt, reduce your speed
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed

Other Rules

Whether under inland or international rules, power vessels must keep clear of sailing vessels in open waters. A sailboat with motor running is defined as a motor boat. The "pecking order" between sailing vessels is more complex. When two sailing are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision, one of then shall keep out of the way of each other as follows.

When each has the wind on a different side, the vessel which has the wind on the port side shall keep out of the way of the other.
When both have the wind on the same side, the vessel which is to windward shall keep out of the way of the vessel which is to leeward.
If a vessel with the wind on the port side sees a vessel to windward and cannot determine with certainty whether the other vessel has the wind on the port or the starboard side, she shall keep out of the way of the other.
For the purposes of these rules the windward side shall be deemed to be the side opposite to that on which the mainsail is carried. On square-rigged vessels, it shall be deemed to be the side opposite to that on which the largest fore-and-aft sail is carried.

Now that you are familiar with "The Rules," go out and use them in passing, meeting, and crossing situations you find on the water. You will get many puzzled looks from inexperienced boaters with no training or testing.

Remember, if a collision does occur, your proper use of the correct signals and appropriate actions will win you points! But you know enough now to avoid a collision.

The navigation rules of the road contained in this course summarize basic navigation rules for which a boat operator is responsible. Additional and more in-depth rules apply regarding various types of waterways and operation in relation to commercial vessels and other watercraft. It is the responsibility of a boat operator to know and follow all the navigation rules.

For a complete listing of the navigation rules, refer to the document “Navigation Rules of the Road” published by the U.S. Coast Guard (COMDTINST 16672.2 Series) and available through the U.S. Government printing office or on the web here .

For state specific navigation requirements, refer to the state laws where you intend to boat.

Best LED Navigation Lights

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

May 3, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

Navigation lights offer safety to you and other boaters
You must understand how boat navigation lights rules are important
Bow light and stern light are red and green respectively
Pontoon boat navigation lights are similar to other marine navigation lights and their use
The best boat navigation lights will vary based on a variety of factors to you

‍ Boating at night requires proper lighting in order to ensure safe travels. So what are some of the best LED navigation lights?

Brands such as Shangyuan, Linkstyle, Partsam, and Obcursco make high quality LED boat navigation lights. Each brand will have a variety of factors that make them the best LED boat navigation lights such as price, quality of materials, and a super bright light.

In my years of experience some brands are definitely better than others. Price appears to be a driving factor but keep in mind what the boat lights intended use is for and how it applies to your situation.

Table of contents

‍ The Top 12 Best LED Boat Navigation Lights

Using LED boat lights is a smart choice for those who frequently sail or engage in open water activities. These are especially needed to obtain sufficient lighting for both the interior and exterior of their boat during night or dawn trips.

Partsam LED Lights

The Partsam round chrome light is a waterproof LED boat navigation light that doubles as an interior boat cabin light. It is made from top chrome bezel and high-grade plastic that make it durable and lightweight.

It comes with mounting screws and is easy to install with its flush mount. It is also compatible with 12 volt DC power.

Waterproof and durable against all elements
Can be used in both interior or exterior of your boat
Installation is easy and it is super bright
Not meant to be submerged especially in salt water
Cannot dim the lights

Shangyuan Boat Navigation Lights LED Strip

The Shangyuan LED boat running lights are versatile and reliable for use all over the boat. These are especially used for:

Stern lights
Starboard and port sides

These LED boat navigation lights are ideal for small boats, kayaks, pontoons, and sailboats. The 3.8-inch LED strips are green for the starboard side and red for the port side. They meet maritime requirements and are battery-powered.

These running lights can withstand harsh marine conditions and provide exceptional brightness and performance. The slim ABS casing needs careful screw tightening to avoid cracking. They are easy to install and durable even in harsh environments during hunting and winter seasons.

Be seen on the water with proper navigation lights
Energy efficient
Overtightening the screw can damage light casing
Meant for small boats

Obcursco LED Navigation Lights Kit

Obcursco makes a great boat navigation light kit. This LED navigation light is perfect for low light settings and rough weather with a 12v DC power and IP67 waterproof rating.

It is corrosion-resistant and impact-proof thanks to the ABS material while tightly sealed LEDs ensure full waterproofing. With easy installation using 3M adhesive it is a versatile option for boats and land use alike.

Easy to adjust lights
Waterproof and has durable materials
Easy to install
Might need to glue the lights in addition to the 3M tape
Does not include instructions

Linkstyle Marine Boat Navigation Lights

Linkstyle's marine LED boat navigation lights are a durable and versatile option for various boat types. Its corrosion-resistant design features waterproof red and green LED units, an ABS plastic casing with a stainless steel enclosure, and polycarbonate-lenses lamps.

The lightweight and easy-to-install design is ideal for hunting and fishing. The 225-degree mounting angle ensures maximum luminance and safety compliance. These IP65 waterproof safety lamps use 16 LED bulbs powered by a 12V battery to widen visibility during reduced visibility conditions.

Lightweight and durable to outdoor marine conditions
Easy installation
Ideal for smaller boats
Installing wrong may cause navigation issues
Not meant for larger boats

OPT7 Aura PRO LED Kit

The OPT7 Marine LED Kit is for hassle-free and waterproof boat lighting. It features SoundSync bass-activated technology, a handheld remote, and one-touch color selection with advanced dimming options.

The kit contains four LED strips, connectors, extension wires, power harness, mounting kit, and other accessories. This beats looking for everything individually but the price point might deter some buyers wanting a simple setup.

Super bright lighting
Easy to install and plug into 12 volt power
Comes with remote and various light features
Remote is not the best quality
Might be overpriced for those wanting a simpler LED kit

Interwebz Boat Bow Navigation

Interwebz has waterproof LED bow navigation lights in red and green for boats that can be connected to a 12-volt battery or a standard pole. Proper labeling is required for night trips.

It has stylish mounting options for the boat's rub rail with a black cover that blends in with the exterior surfaces. Suitable for various boats such as bass, ski, and fishing boats, the lights are weatherproof with an IP68 rated silicone casing.

Easily seen lighting
Has six foot cord to connect anywhere on the boat
Great weatherproof rating
Likely have to use marine grade silicone to keep it secure

PryEU Daylight White

The PryEU Daylight White 6000K is an energy-efficient and versatile waterproof lighting fixture that uses 3M double-sided foam tape for secure attachment. It has a 12v DC voltage compatibility and consumes only 1.5 watts and makes it ideal for marine interiors and other spaces.

Installation is easy but it involves surface cleaning and sticking it to the adhesive backing. A three year warranty plus 60 days replacement and fast delivery with customer support are provided by the manufacturer.

Excellent energy efficiency
Solid waterproof rating
Easy to install and has three year warranty
Might need silicone to help make it stay
Lights cannot be dimmed

Amzonly LED Navigation Lights

AMZONLY LED boat navigation lights are a versatile and top-rated kit with red and green LEDs for the bow and port side and white for the stern. They have three flashing modes and a magnetized screwdriver for easy battery changes.

This IPX5 weather-resistant light kit comes with four LEDs, 12 3-volt batteries, three elastic straps, one long armband, and a 12-month return policy. This is suitable for kayaks, yachts, motorboats, and pontoons and they can be used as a flush mount navigation light, masthead light, taillight, running light, or flashing light.

Easy to install kit with everything you need
One year return policy
Solid waterproof and weatherproof capabilities
Not intended to be submerged or soaked

Leaningtech LED Boat Navigation Lights

The LEANINGTECH Marine LED is a waterproof and adaptable lighting choice for boats that is known for its brightness, energy efficiency, and USCG compliance. Its durable construction from ABS plastic and chrome plaid zinc ensures both lightweight and waterproof properties with an IP65 rating.

It can serve various purposes that as a source of lighting for different types of boats. It can also serve as a bow, running, or stern light.

Great brightness
Easy to install and is made from quality materials
Has multiple functions for use
Gauge for wires is a bit small
Some reports say it did not hold up well in salt water conditions

Osinmax Boat Navigation Light

The Osinmax LED boat navigation lights is a top-rated energy-saving set that uses a 3W LED bulb and 12V DC power. With green and red lenses it offers masthead-like running lights that ensure you will be seen up to two miles.

The housing is waterproof with an IP67 high-density seal ring made of foam silicone rubber that helps prevent short circuits from splashes. The lights comply with maritime navigation, wildlife, and fisheries regulations, and install easily with one screw.

Low power consumption and is super bright
Designed to keep water out
Can be used as courtesy lights
Might need to add silicone to adhere the back side
Might be difficult to install on some boats

Lumitec SeaBlazeX Boat Navigation Lights

To attain premium illumination you should opt for the Lumitec SeaBlazeX LED with 12-24V DC power that emits 4,000 lumens. Its marine-grade bronze housing enables convenient flat surface installation.

It offers versatile programmable features such as cross-fade and strobe. Perfect for subaquatic use, preventing discoloration, it is available in blue, green, white, and white/blue hues.

Durable in salt water conditions
Solid underwater submersion capabilities
Bright lights in various colors
Cannot dim lights
Somewhat expensive compared to similar brands

Five Oceans Boat Navigation Lights

Boaters prefer Five Oceans' marine LED boat navigation lights for clear visibility up to two miles. These dual-function green and red lights serve as stern, flushing, and bow lights.

They are made of lightweight ABS plastic and alloy covers.They are also brighter and longer-lasting compared to other boat navigation lights.

These low-tension safety lights connect to a 12V power source for energy efficiency and superior visibility. With a UV-resistant feature and a lifespan of about 50,000 hours they are top choice. No additional sealing is required thanks to their rubber seal.

IP66 protection and endure splashes
Easily install the 3W bi-color LEDs at a 225-degree angle using the included screws
Bright boat navigation lights that can be seen two miles away
Does not look as appealing as other boat navigation lights

What to Expect from LED Boat Navigation Lights

To simplify your selection process when looking for LED lighting fixtures to accessorize, you will need to research a variety of factors based on your needs. If you wish to upgrade or replace your boat navigation lights here are some key factors to consider.

Lighting Capability

LED lights have evolved to meet diverse lighting needs with some producing clear white light and others providing brightness from any direction. Lumens is the term used to describe the amount of light generated by a particular brand of LED lights.

Angle of the Lights

To avoid eye damage it is crucial to factor in the beam angle when purchasing LED boat lights. Read reviews from past customers to gauge the intensity of the light directed at you or from an angle. Strong LED lighting fixtures can harm your eyes so be cautious.

Energy Efficiency

Comparing the percentage of energy needed to produce sufficient light is crucial when selecting lighting fixtures such as LED lights. Higher lumens per watt make LED lights more cost-effective in terms of energy consumption.

Red Light Output

Excessive heat generation in boat LED lights is a significant concern for buyers. To ensure optimal lighting quality it is crucial to consider the heat output of the chosen LED light.

Ease of Installation

Multiple installation techniques for navigation lights cater to different boating needs but mount components should be ensured for both wired and battery-operated choices. Mounting options range from screws to armbands.

Wired lights are recommended for safety while small boats can benefit from the versatility of battery-operated LED lights. The chosen installation method impacts functionality, service life, and safety, ultimately safeguarding lives and property.

LED light prices will vary depending on select features such as materials used and the manufacturer's design availability. Choosing a manufacturer depends on the buyer's budget and preferences for the intended use of the boating adventure.

Customized features and extended warranty may result in higher prices. To obtain the finest LED light bargain you should scrutinize LED boat lighting warranties that typically span from one to seven years. Do not settle for one that is the cheapest option since it might not suit your intended use or last as long as you may hope.

Quality Materials

To ensure the longevity of LED lights it is crucial for prospective buyers to consider the material used. If the material is prone to rust then the light will eventually corrode.

Always check the manufacturer's material-composition and avoid products made primarily of alloy coating. You should for opt for a top-grade metal or alloy material from a reputable LED light brand.

Your lighting source must be tightly sealed and capable of withstanding harsh weather and moisture. When using LED lights for marine and saltwater expeditions, verify the IP rating.

Look for an IP67 rated LED product. This means it confirms its ability to endure any weather conditions and even some underwater submersion.

Why You Need LED Boat Navigation Lights

LED navigation lights offer numerous benefits. They primarily are designed to allow safe transport on the waterways so that other boats can see you.

Choose quality LED lights for greater energy efficiency and significant cost savings compared to incandescent bulbs. LED lights have diverse uses on land and sea, being useful for lighting homes, businesses, and buildings.

Marine LED cabin lights have become popular as decorative lighting inside homes, while others use LEDs for entertainment, transportation, spotlighting, or reading. LEDs are considered essential lighting tools in any setting.

Other reasons to have efficient ones include:

Easy installation and durable marine-grade construction
Versatile performance options based on different brands
Improved visibility for boat status and navigation
Helps prevent accidents caused by extreme weather and reduced visibility
Retain compliance with wildlife and marine laws
Multiple usage options in other marine applications

Differences in LED Boat Navigation Lights

The boat light packaging is compact upon delivery and LED lights operate similarly to incandescent bulbs. They are initially designed for lighting boats but a lot of these lights now serve multiple purposes and come in various types.

Navigation: Are essential for indicating the position and direction of sea vessels. Usually with red and green lights in addition to white.
Anchor: The anchor light serves to locate and signal the presence of a docked vessel
White: Provides adequate lighting all around the boat
Deck: These lights offer lighting in areas that you walk through often
Dock: Serve as bright illumination for boaters or mariners during departure or arrival at a marina
Underwater: These are submerged or placed near water to lure sea creatures during nighttime fishing expeditions.
Search: Search lights are essential for boat users to locate objects on deck or in water.

Which Colors Do You Need for Your Boat?

Boat navigation lights consist of red sidelight for port side and green sidelight for starboard side. White lights serve as anchor, masthead, or stern lights.

If you cannot remember how to tell the two apart you can always think of port red wine. There is a saying that you can easily remember such as “there is no red port wine left”. This way you do not have to worry about the starboard side since it works itself out in the phrase if you can remember the port side.

Navigation lights are unnecessary for illumination during normal boat motion except in low visibility conditions. If you decide to use other lights on your boat make sure that they are not in use during lower light conditions so that other boaters are not confused by your setup.

I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats from 12 to 20 Meters

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Marine LED Lighting, for Safety, Visibility, and Navigation

Boat lights, like other onboard equipment, serve both an essential and supplementary function. They provide important illumination for navigation, they help ensure you can safely transport passengers on and off the boat, and they make your boat visible at night. The marine lighting we offer on BOATiD.com can be placed practically anywhere on your boat - from beneath the water to up on your dashboard.

LED Lights: the Best Choice for Your Boat

LED lights, unlike other kinds of boat lighting, are versatile and powerful. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, which is a semiconductor diode that emits light when an electric current is applied. The LED has created quite a buzz in the world of boating because LED boat light technology continues to advance, and LED boat lights offer higher efficiency and longer life compared to traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs. LED lights also generate less heat compared to conventional bulbs, and thus, they will not create discomforting warmth in hot weather conditions like non-LED types of marine lighting.

When selecting LED boat light fixtures, you have numerous options to choose from, including brightness, beam pattern, waterproofing specifications, and color temperature, measured in Kelvins. (In practical terms, we talk about Kelvin temperature in the range of 2000k through 6500k: at the lower end of that scale, light has a warmer, yellowish hue; in the 3000-4500k range, light is cooler, closer to a pure white; and from 4500 to 6500k, it starts to take on a bluish tone.) LED boat lights also contain no mercury, making them environmentally friendly and easy to dispose of safely.

Single-Color LED Boat Lights

Single-color LED boat lights have a limited source of color rendering index or color accuracy when compared to other LED colors. This means that you will see a very different display in various colors. Their typical candlepower rating is between 80 and 500, which is the only way at present to determine brightness level. Single-color LED boat lights are usually only used for decorative purposes rather than illumination purposes because they do not provide adequate brightness levels. Their price point can be quite attractive compared to other LED boat lights due to their simplicity and ease of use, making them popular for those who want LED boat lights but don’t need or want complicated fixtures with a lot of bells and whistles.

Dual-Color LED Boat Lights

Dual-color LED boat lights typically have a color temperature of 6000K and offer the best performance for color rendering; because of this, they are often used as LED boat lights. They are available in high, medium or low lumen packages. Because they can produce colder Kelvin temperatures like blue and purple, deck lights with this LED light technology are not always the best choice for interior applications; they may show up as garish and make your cabin seem unnatural. Warm white LED boat lights (2700 to 3500 Kelvin) render natural colors like reds, greens and oranges much better than cool white LED boat lights, making them the most versatile LEDs suitable for both interior and exterior lighting purposes.

Tri-Color LED Boat Lights

Tri-color LED boat lights are not a common option in LED boat lighting; they offer a combination of cool LED deck lights, warm LED deck lights and dual-color LED boat light options. They are also known as RGB LED bulbs because they can produce millions of color variations when combined with other types of LED boat lights.

Pure White LED Boat Lights

Pure white LED boat lighting has a high color rendering index but cannot create natural colors accurately. If you're looking at buying LED boat lighting for interior applications only, choose pure white LED over cool white LED to avoid garish colors that can seem out of place in a cabin or on a console.

The Different Types of LED Boat Lights We Sell

LED Navigation Lights are lighting fixtures which include LED red and LED green boat lights in a single fixture. The types of Navigation lights we sell include side lights , stern lights , and all-round lights . Navigation lights come with different mounting configurations including side mount, back mount, and surface mount. The LEDs in our navigation lights usually last around 70,000 hours, so they offer tremendous value for the price.

LED Searchlights and Searchlight Bars are LED boating lighting fixtures that provide superior brightness and clarity compared to halogen searchlights. LED searchlights can last up to 100,000 hours because of their LED technology. Our searchlights and deck lights are available in many different options; you can search for them based on candlepower, mount type, and voltage.

Underwater LED boat lights , as their name describes, are waterproof and submersible, allowing them to be used underwater. Because the marine environment is so harsh on equipment, underwater LED boat lights should be chosen when corrosion resistance is of the utmost importance. You can select underwater boat lights based on mount type, light color, lumen output, material, and operating voltage.

LED Courtesy Lights and LED Deck Lights provide a soft glow typically less than 10 lumen per LED boat light in order to avoid disturbing others on your boat. LED courtesy lights come in various LED fixtures and LED power options, including wands and domes with waterproof housings. Our Refine Search menu lets you choose among different courtesy light shapes, sizes, light colors, and finishes.

Our LED Boat Cabin Lights are designed for accent lighting and act as ambient sources of light in your cabin, providing you with extra light exactly where needed. Like many of our other LED lights, you have your choice among different shapes, lumens, and light colors.

LED Boat Strip Lights , also known as rope or tape LED boat lights, feature small LED bulbs and are typically used for accent lighting. When selecting the strip lights, you can choose them in lengths from several inches to 200 inches and more. Of course, they are available in a wide variety of colors, and you can even select the degree of waterproofing that you desire.

LED Hull Lights and Docking Lights are thought of as navigation lights which are installed to the exterior of your boat, to help illuminate the docking and anchoring actions. Because of their proximity to water, the hull and docking lights tend to be waterproof. Like our other LED lights, these lights offer low power consumption, require little maintenance and come with long LED life spans.

LED Puck Boat Lights are small LED lights (about the size of hockey pucks) that can be mounted anywhere on your console or railing. They typically emit 360 degrees of very bright light, making them well suited for accent lighting situations like stairs, edges of counters where spills may occur, under cabinets and cupboards, etc. Depending on the power consumption (lumens), these LEDs can be used for primary illumination or as safety backup lights.

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Practical Sailor Tracks Down the Best LED Tri-color Light

Testers take a look at six bulbs and lanterns from the marine led navigation light market..

When it comes to navigation lights aboard sailboats, brighter is definitely better. And our latest tests of LED nav lights proved that more light can be made with less energy. In fact, we found that replacing a conventional incandescent bulb with a light-emitting diode (LED) of similar luminosity can result in up to a 90-percent savings in energy consumed over a given period of time.

Practical Sailor’ s previous evaluations of navigation lights (September 2005 and Jan. 15, 2002) were tests of tri-color

Practical Sailor Tracks Down the Best LED Tri-color Light

Photos by Ralph Naranjo

masthead lights, sidelights, sternlights, and all-around white lights.

For this review, we narrowed the test field and focused solely on LED tri-color navigation lights (sidelights and a stern light combined in a single fixture) because of the under-sail connotation. They are most often used when the engine is off and the alternator(s) is providing no energy boost to the battery bank. This is when miserly current consumption is most appreciated.

LED lights come in all sizes and shapes, and it has been their monumental improvement in efficiency that has made the technology so appealing to energy-constrained sailors.

In the past, the most popular means of meeting the U.S. Coast Guard’s navigation light requirements for boats under 65 feet (see “Nav Light Requirements,” below) was to use an Aqua Signal Series 40 tri-color lamp housing with its long-filament incandescent bulb. Its 25-watt energy appetite not only puts a significant load on the house battery bank, but it requires a heavier-gauge wire be run up the spar in order to avoid an energy-robbing voltage drop. Swapping out the incandescent bulb for an LED drops power consumption significantly and yields just as bright of a light. During a 10-hour night sail, this results in reducing current consumption from about 20 amp-hours down to a scan’t 2 amp-hours. This savings adds up, and the extra cost of the LED bulb or light will pay for itself in longevity and energy savings.

LED Evolution

Since the late 1960s, LEDs have followed a trend that amounts to almost a doubling of light output every 36 months. (If Wall Street had done the same, a $100 investment made in 1969 would today be worth over $500,000.)

Skipping all the esoteric physics and getting down to basics leaves us with one important concept to grasp: By passing a current through certain semiconductors (materials with only a few electron holes), the electron flow instigates photon release—or more simply put, light energy is emitted. Modern LEDs comprise an anode (+) and cathode (-) that meet in a tiny cup-like reflector that contains an “n” and a “p” layer of semiconductor material.

In order to achieve white or colored light, phosphor coatings are used. Another significant breakthrough was the prism-like lens and epoxy-sealed cavity that bundles up many of these semiconductors. The resulting “bulb” reflects and refracts the light energy produced, delivering a color-controlled beam. The plasma-like brilliance of a single-source light creates lens and reflector challenges that each light manufacturer has to deal

with. Some makers shape a single beam with lens elements while others use an array of multiple smaller LEDs.

What We Tested

Each of the six LED tri-color masthead lights we tested for this report took a different approach to implementing the LED technology. The test field included three LED lanterns and three LED bulbs.

From Orca Green Marine (OGM), maker of the top choice among tri-colors in the 2005 Practical Sailor test, we reviewed the latest USCG 2-nautical-mile approved tri-color. The other tested lanterns were self-contained tri-color/anchor light combos from Signal Mate and Lopolight.

Among the bulbs we tested was the Lunasea, a sealed, waterproof LED lamp comprising four green, six red, and six white LEDs. From the LED Shop in Queensland, Australia, we tested the Bay15D white LED bulb with 15 diodes. The supplier recommends its use as a low-consumption (2 watts vs. 25 watts) replacement bulb for the Aqua Signal 40 incandescent. The second sealed bulb we tested was from Dr. LED, and it is third-party certified to U.S. Coast Guard standards.

LED LANTERNS

Boat owners who don’t already have a masthead tri-color light, or who plan to replace an old one—hardware and all—would do well to consider an LED lantern.

Orca Green Marine

OGM Inc.’s USCG-approved (third-party tested) tri-color/anchor light (LXTA-12v) squeezes an amazing amount of light from a minimal amount of current (0.3 amps @ 12 volts-DC).

The well-sealed, nicely machined housing and large lenses keep the LEDs in direct line of sight, regardless of heel or the viewer’s proximity. Hard, anodized endcaps and Lexan outer lens elements form a tough, water-tight seal. Its internal

electronic components are potted in a dielectric sealant, and the lantern comes with a well-sealed pigtail connector.

The manufacturer claims a 50,000-hour full brightness LED life and offers a two-year warranty on the $340 lantern.

Testers’ main concern that arose during testing was that the OGM lantern produced the most RFI of all the gear we tested. Moving the handheld VHF radio to within 14 inches of the light obliterated radio reception.

Bottom line: The OGM lantern is the least expensive in its category, and it proved to be a well-made light. However, its RFI test results held it back.

This expensive, well-designed, and carefully manufactured LED tri-color/anchor light offers a multiple diode approach to illuminating each sector of coverage. The lamp’s geometry focuses individual LEDs in narrower beams and uses 36 to cover each colored zone and 44 in the white zone. In addition to adding redundancy with circuitry that allows individual diodes to fail without taking out the entire cluster, the design eliminated the hotspot inherent in tri-color lights that use single-point light sources for each sector.

This light offers a green that’s really green (see “Shades of Green,” page 14), a dead-ahead aspect with minimal overlap, and a crisp transition to the red zone. The Lopolight also sports a rugged, well-sealed housing that’s fully submersible.

Its current consumption is a tiny bit more than the most energy efficient in this group, but the value of having the light continue to work even if one or more diodes give up the ghost is a big plus.

At $689, the Lopolight was the most expensive product of all those we tested, but it also had the least RFI. It comes with a five-year warranty.

Bottom line: If quality construction and superior performance are your priorities—and cost isn’t a concern—the Lopolight will fit the bill. It gets the nod as Practical Sailor’s Best Choice.

Signal Mate

Signal Mate products are designed and manufactured by Maryland-based Kimberlite Assemblers Inc. The company sent us a pre-production version of its 2-nautical-mile tri-color lantern for testing.

The searing bright lantern scored high marks for energy efficiency. Its 0.3 amp draw at 12 volts DC compared to some of the more expensive lanterns.

The Signal Mate incorporates a finned alloy base that functions

as a heat sink and houses the driver and diodes within a polycarbonate cylindrical tube. Its endcaps and electronics are sealed and bedded in Dow Tough Gel.

Its cylindrical shape makes it well suited for masthead mounting. The light output did not appear hampered at all by the unit’s comparably small lenses, even at varying angles of heel.

The design, with a single light source per sector, created a white hotspot, but from 50 to 100 yards away, it was undetectable. Hotspots, a bright white spot that occurs when a single-point white light source illuminates a colored faceted lens, are common to this design.

Just before going to press with this review, Signal Mate sent us its new production version of this lamp. Like the pre-production unit, the LED circuitry is enclosed in a polycarbonate cylinder, but it now incorporates O-ring seals and 3M 5200 adhesive to better cope with thermal expansion and contraction. Heat dissipation and RFI suppression have been improved, and the overall fit and finish have been raised a notch. The light is certified to USCG and American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)-16 standards.

Bottom line: The $359 Signal Mate tri-color is a cost-effective option with a good five-year warranty, and the new version boasts some necessary improvements.

The new breed of LED bulbs can add efficiency to those old Aqua Signal, Hella, and Perko incandescent nav lights that have been serving boats for decades. These plug-and-play conversions from incandescent to much more efficient LED technology are capturing market share, and the degree of this success has inspired Aqua Signal to come out with its own single-diode LED light and a new line of LED products. For those with older lamps such as the venerable Aqua Signal 40 tri-color, the following three bulb options represent good examples of what’s available in the realm of LED conversions.

The Dr. LED Polar Star 40 replacement bulb for the Aqua Signal 40 lantern comes with an interesting note. According to the Seattle firm, “a white LED should not be used behind colored lenses.” And to that end, its LED replacement bulb has three distinct color-enhanced sectors indigenous to the bulb itself. These are not stand-alone red, green, and white sectors, but instead are color-enhancing segments that ensure that red is red and green is a bright and deep shade of green. This reduced the bulb’s hotspot.

The bulb is designed in the U.S., made in China, and meets the 2-nautical-mile visibility, chromaticity, and other demands of the ABYC/USCG standards. It was the lowest current-consuming light in our test (0.1 amps), and though not the

brightest, it was visible and color recognizable at the 2-mile range.

Bottom line: Middle of the pack price-wise, this $50 current miser gets a Practical Sailor Budget Buy among LED bulbs for conversions.

Lunasea Lights

This well-sealed, wedge shaped, waterproof bulb uses separate LEDs for each color zone. The red sector held six LEDs, and the green four. Light-meter readings indicated that the red sector was a bit brighter than the green sector during tests. At distances beyond 100 yards, the discrepancy was not noticeable visually. Both segments could be seen at the 2-nautical-mile range.

This bulb seemed to only need a clear housing because of the excellent chromaticity match, but without being placed in a tri-lens housing, it had a rather large overlap of red and green. We noted that the red and green (bow-on aspect) covered an arc of more than 20 degrees. But by placing the tri-color lens over the bulb, the overlap was brought into an acceptable 10-degree range, creating a bright, very distinguishable tri-color light.

The Lunasea bulb was the only one in its group with the ability to keep shining even if one of the multiple diodes failed.

Bottom line: One of the brightest LEDs tested, the Lunasea light gets the Practical Sailor Recommended pick among bulbs for its top performance and lifetime warranty, the only test product to offer one.

Distributed by the Australia-based LED Shop, the white BAY-15D bulb we tested was a cluster of 15 diodes in pentagonal array of three vertical diodes per segment. This bright-white light makes a superb anchor light, and the LED Shop also recommends it as a replacement bulb for the Aqua Signal Series 40 tri-color light.

In our testing, it provided a bright red and green sector, but its colors were not as saturated as the color-specific bulbs by Dr. LED and Lunasea.

Testers’ biggest concern was the fact the bulb isn’t properly sealed. This does afford better heat dissipation, a key factor in LED longevity, but we prefer sealed bulbs.

However, the BAY-15D’s $27 price tag, its brightness and

minimal RFI make it a bargain as an anchor light bulb.

Bottom line: Although inexpensive and a good performer, the BAY-15D was held back by its lack of a good seal.

Nav Light Requirements
How We Tested
Practical Sailor Value Guide: Led Tri-Color Masthead Lights
Shades of Green
View PDF Format

Responding to Emergencies: A Skipper’s Guide for Staying Calm

Which version of the OGM was tested for this review?

It would be helpful if you added the part numbers of the specific product that you’re testing. For example, when I went to the Lopolight website, I couldn’t find the product you tested. I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t test any trilights with the strobe or flash function. Perhaps I’ll keep my 20-year old Hella.

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How do you light your cockpit at night?

Thread starter dserrell
Start date Nov 7, 2009
Forums for All Owners
Ask All Sailors

Stu Jackson

Lights Our boat came equipped with incandescent cockpit lights mounted on the SS arch. Works well. We also use a lamp oil brass hanging lamp at times. Do not need much light. Thread

Don S/V ILLusion

Lighting the cockpit and lighting for compliance with nav rules are exclusive issues which you sound like you are mixing together - which are you talking about as you mention both David? Strictly for purpose of providing ambient light in the cockpit, I've found the only good way to create wide-area light is using string lights which can be found in either 110VAC or 12VDC varieties and conveniently strung inside the bimini or dodger bows using very little power.

Don S/V ILLusion said: Lighting the cockpit and lighting for compliance with nav rules are exclusive issues which you sound like you are mixing together - which are you talking about as you mention both David? Strictly for purpose of providing ambient light in the cockpit, I've found the only good way to create wide-area light is using string lights which can be found in either 110VAC or 12VDC varieties and conveniently strung inside the bimini or dodger bows using very little power. Click to expand

Warren Milberg

I use an parafin oil lamp that I hang from a small chain under the bimini. We also use this same lamp inside the cabin. Provides a nice warm glow and enough light to do most everything except read. Bought this lamp new from eBay and was shipped from India for a total cost of $29. One of the best bargains I ever had for the boat....

Attachments

Absent a hard top or bimini, mount a small 12v light permanently to the underside of the boom. On an open boat I sold this spring (Stiletto 27) I mounted a small utillity light purchased from Advanced Autoparts (I'm sure you could find something nice and marine, but I liked the shape of this one). I shaped a piece of starboard to match the curve of the mast (passed over a table saw blade at an angle), sawed and sanded it to match the base of the light, and mounted it to the boom with screws and 5200. The wires run inside the boom to the mast, are exposed for a few inches, and then run down the mast. It is on the cabin light circuit, but has its own switch on the side of the fixture. VERY handy. It looked like a factory install when finished. You won't be able to imagine a cockpit without instant light. Would you buy a car without a dome light?

for my anchor light non my formosa i have a beautiful old oil lamp- --i found some cheepo garden lights --solar powered---from an outlet that takes in returns from costco--so these are 4-6 dollars each--lol--excellent light and cheeep and i can use many --as many as i want...for use as lights at anchor....even indoors after charging them in the sun all day!!!! i love my oil light for anchor--has fresnel lens and is visible for over 3 miles---is approved for use as anchor lamp, btw......

Light your cockpit at night in Maine & you're mosquito bait!

Cockpit lighting We have a couple of Japanese style paper lanterns that run on AA batteries. I usually just string up one of those.

Re: Cockpit lighting I just use a kerosene lantern both for my anchor light and my cockpit light when I want it. The CG does not specify the type of light just the range of visibility and a 1/2 inch wick meets the needs.

Dan Johnson

Davis... makes a handy low wattage lamp with a fresnel lens and a cigarette plug connector that can be used as an anchor light. I slip a notched plastic cup over it and hang it from a bimini crossbar for a neat cockpit downlight. Also have LED utility lights in the cockpit footwell for safe footing at night when docked (too bright to sail with).

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MICTUNING C2 Curved White LED Rock Lights - 8 Pods Underglow Lights Compatible for Car Truck Offroad ATV UTV Boat

Purchase options and add-ons

Item dimensions L x W x H	7.8 x 3.9 x 2.3 inches
Brand	MICTUNING
Color	White-8 pods
Form Factor	Pod
Recommended Uses For Product	Vehicle Exterior, Vehicle Interior
Included Components	8 white LED rock light pods and a wiring harness
Special Feature	8 Pods White Rock Lights
Water Resistance Level	Waterproof
Remote Control Included?	No
Number of Pieces	8

Vehicle Service Type
Bus, ATV, Scooter, SUV, UTV, Truck, Pickup Truck, Tractor, Trailer

Light Source Type
LED

Fit Type
Universal Fit

Material
Aluminum

About this item

MICTUNING have done all the research on what buyer's like best about their rock lights, you will love this NEW Patent Pending C2 White Rock Light because it has a more fashionable appearance and better performance than other white rock lights on the market
Solid White Color - The C2 White LED Rock Lights adopt advanced LED technology, features pure colors, has separate pure white light. Not Like Others, with Mixed Colors And without White Light
Large Irradiated Area - Revolutionary Curved Surface Design, up to 160° Ultra-Wide-Angle light, produce a huge amount of light. The Irradiation Area is Larger and Much Brighter compared to other rock lights with a beam angle of 90 degrees on the market
Sturdy Materail - Built to last with thick aviation aluminum housing, faster heat dissipation and lower temperature, more stable performance, up to 50,000 hours lifespan. IP68 waterproof and dustproof, they have endured offroad driving, deep snow and heavy rain with no issues
Universal Fit & Effortless Mounting - Widely used for rock lights, car underglow lights, interior lights, reverse lights, truck bed lights, dome lights, winch lights, chassis lights, deck lights, ambient light, yacht lights, household lighting. Work voltage is DC 10-30V,Compatible with all 12V 24V car vehicle, truck, motorcycle, offroad, boat, SUV, UTV, ATV, etc. Easy to mount, connect red wire to positive and black wire to negative
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MICTUNING C2 Curved White LED Rock Lights - 12 Pods Underglow Lights Compatible for Car Truck Offroad ATV UTV Boat

From the brand

What is the TRUE ROCK LIGHTS ?

The Brightest ? The Purest color ?

Come and explore together with MICTUNING !

Since 2013, MICTUNING has been on a mission to lead the global automotive modification industry.

Our product philosophy is "innovative, reliable, fun", which reflects in our products from LED lights to RV accessories. With certifications like CE, FCC, RoHS, BQB & 20+ patents, we're dedicated to quality. Our MICTUNING App is the only App on the market that allows for multi-device operation.

MICTUNING family is always with you to Make it Cool.

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EXCLUSIVE MagicLink APP

One APP can control all MICTUNING lights, help you to get rid of multiple APPs.

Neon Accent Lights Strip

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How to get contact MICTUNING ?

Please feel free contact MICTUNING via Amazon message center if you encounter any problems on installation or use.

NOTES: Login your amazon account - Choose Your orders - Find the order ID - Click Contact seller

Q1: The APP cannot search for the device?

Step1, Check the wiring to ensure correct connection

Step2, Open the Bluetooth settings of the mobile phone, power on normally, and the device can be searched on the mobile phone

Step3, For iPhone, please restart the mobile phone, open the APP authorization and Bluetooth authorization (phone settings - privacy - Bluetooth - allowed apps). If device cannot be searched in APP, please provide the phone model and system model. For Android devices, you also need to open the location service and APP location authorization to search and connect in the APP.

Q2: How to judge whether the product is powered on correctly?

First, after connecting the cable, turn on the switch, the switch indicator lights up. Then, turn on the Bluetooth settings of the mobile phone and search for the device signal Rock Light-C1 or Rock Light-C1S, which means that the connection is correct and the product is powered on normally. If not, check whether the connection of wire harness is correct.

Q3: Four lights on one side are not on?

This is because one of the power cords in the control box has been pulled off, please contact our after-sales staff for quick replacement.

Q4: After the Bluetooth connection, the light is black and you can't turn on the light at all?

This is because one of the power cords in the control box has been pulled off. Please contact our after-sales staff for a quick replacement.

Q5: Can't switch colors after Bluetooth connection?

Please check the device you need to control in the APP options.

Product Description

MICTUNING C2 White LED Rock lights Make you no longer lonely at dark night!

Light up comptetely underneath your vehicle.

More Fashionable Appearance And Better Performance Rock Lights On The Market

Let C2 light up your life anytime and anywhere

SATISFACTION DEFENDER

Premium LED Chip

Adopted premium quality chip for each LED rock light, emit the most pure white color and make your love car stand out in the dark

Durable Construction

Made of aviation aluminum housing, fast heat dissipation, up to 50,000 hours lifespan

IP68 Waterproof

IP68 waterproof rate, dustproof, shockproof, works well in rainy, foggy days, snowy weather and other harsh condition

Lifetime Customer Support

We stand behind our products all the time, 30 days Return/ Replacement, 24-month Relieved Services, Within 4 Hours Friendly Response

Product information

Technical details.

Item dimensions L x W x H	‎7.8 x 3.9 x 2.3 inches
Brand	‎MICTUNING
Color	‎White-8 pods
Form Factor	‎Pod
Recommended Uses For Product	‎Vehicle Exterior, Vehicle Interior
Included Components	‎8 white LED rock light pods and a wiring harness
Special Feature	‎8 Pods White Rock Lights
Water Resistance Level	‎Waterproof
Remote Control Included?	‎No
Number of Pieces	‎8
Manufacturer	‎MICTUNING
Item Weight	‎1.32 pounds
Product Dimensions	‎7.8 x 3.9 x 2.3 inches
Country of Origin	‎China
Item model number	‎MIC-URL-759
Manufacturer Part Number	‎MIC-URL-759
Special Features	‎8 Pods White Rock Lights

Additional Information

ASIN	B0D2TJBCYW
Customer Reviews	4.5 out of 5 stars
Best Sellers Rank	#220,413 in Automotive ( ) #267 in
Date First Available	April 27, 2024

Warranty & Support

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What's in the box

8 white LED rock light pods and a wiring harness

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Price	$39.90$39.90	$139.88$139.88	$76.89$76.89	$37.99$37.99	$105.59$105.59	-5% $18.99$18.99 List: $19.99
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Customer Ratings	242	26	26	23	1,550	396
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the ease of installation, quality, brightness, appearance and value of the vehicle accent light. They mention that it's pretty simple to install and operate, it provides a good deal of light, it'll look good and that it is good value for money.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the brightness of the vehicle accent light. They say it's super bright, works perfect, and is great for rock lights. Some customers also mention that the lights are heavy and large.

"Well built, easy to install, and give very good lighting " Read more

"...1 MICTUNING C2 LED rock lights ($8+ each) Top rated/ very bright heavy wires and housing (but large) tested at 4.5w Not the 24w as advertised but..." Read more

" Nice light , looks like it's good quality, as always time will tell of course...." Read more

"Used these as bed lighting for my truck. These are bright and wide filling lights ! I’m a Mictuning repeat customer, love their lights." Read more

Customers like the quality of the vehicle accent light. They mention it's well built, provides a good deal of light, and is top rated. Some say that the lights are super bright and impressive.

" Well built , easy to install, and give very good lighting" Read more

"...1 MICTUNING C2 LED rock lights ($8+ each) Top rated /very bright heavy wires and housing (but large) tested at 4.5w Not the 24w as advertised but..." Read more

"Nice light, looks like it's good quality , as always time will tell of course...." Read more

"... Still really great . Good also for looks on front of truck. I have 8 on a full size...." Read more

Customers like the appearance of the vehicle accent light. They mention that it looks good, and the white is a nice pure white.

"These light are a nice even flood light. Super white and bright they are around 6000k temp color ...." Read more

"...Really clean install. Looks reallly good . Cant wait to use them for truck camping through the fall." Read more

"The white is a nice pure white . Could be a bit brighter for as many leds in 1 pod. All in all not bad for the price." Read more

"...Bright lights and pretty simple to install!! Love the way they look ! Cant wait to place my next order!!! Highly Recommend !!!" Read more

Customers find the installation of the vehicle accent light pretty simple. They also appreciate the simple operation with just two wires.

"Well built, easy to install , and give very good lighting" Read more

"...Super white and bright they are around 6000k temp color . Simple operation they have just two wires, positive and negative, you will need to wire..." Read more

"... Really clean install . Looks reallly good. Cant wait to use them for truck camping through the fall." Read more

"Fast shipping!!!! Bright lights and pretty simple to install !! Love the way they look! Cant wait to place my next order!!! Highly Recommend !!!" Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the vehicle accent light. They say it's a quality build.

"...and cheap enough that I picked up an extra pack to keep as replacements should any of..." Read more

"...Could be a bit brighter for as many leds in 1 pod. All in all not bad for the price ." Read more

"Great product. Super bright lights. Would definitely recommend. Great price , easy to install" Read more

" Good value , quality build...." Read more

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User reviews

The Darkest Hour

In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply. In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply. In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply.

Chris Gorak
Jon Spaihts
Leslie Bohem
Emile Hirsch
Olivia Thirlby
Max Minghella
305 User reviews
197 Critic reviews
18 Metascore
1 nomination

Top cast 34

(as Nikolai Efremov)

(as Georgy Gromov)

(as Arthur Smoljaninov)
(as Anna Roudakova)

Anton Batkin
(as Petr Fedorov)

Bartender No. 1
Bartender No. 2
(as Alexsandr Chernyh)

First Policeman
(as Oleg Poddubny)
Second Policeman
(as Vasja Fursenko)
Drunk Russian No. 1
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

Trivia The involvement of Timur Bekmambetov as producer afforded the production the opportunity of using Russia as a backdrop instead of the usual USA locations. Bekmambetov owns a film production company in Moscow called Bazelevs where most of the movie was made.
Goofs When the characters have to jump off the boat into the river, Sean and Natalie both jump in together holding hands. All the characters except Natalie emerge together and climb aboard the submarine. Somehow Natalie has managed to end up in the city, clearly more than a few kilometers away. She probably swam there, and it wasn't as far as a few kilometers.

Skyler : How'd you come up with that?

Sean : I don't know. Shark Week.

Crazy credits All the opening credits briefly appear in Russian before translated into English.
Connections Edited into The Darkest Hour: Deleted and Extended Scenes (2012)
Soundtracks MOCKBA (Moscow) Written by Igor Pustelnik Performed by Marselle

User reviews 305

Jan 8, 2012
How long is The Darkest Hour? Powered by Alexa
December 25, 2011 (United States)
United States
Official Facebook
Official site (Japan)
The Darkest Hour 3D
Red Square, Kitai-gorod, Tverskoy District, Moscow, Russia
Summit Entertainment
New Regency Productions
Bazelevs Production
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$30,000,000 (estimated)
$21,443,494
Dec 25, 2011
$64,626,786

Technical specs

Runtime 1 hour 29 minutes
Dolby Surround 7.1

More to explore

Illuminated Bridge, Sailboat and Flower at Twilight

About Me in Short

Guide, Driver and Photographer Arthur Lookyanov

My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

See you in Moscow!

View full size
Owner: Moscow Guide & Driver
Date: October 13, 2014 09:40:00 pm EDT
File name: ALP-2014-1013-205-Illuminated-Bridge-Sailboat-and-Flower-at-Twilight-Tsaritsyno-Circle-of-Light.jpg
Tags: Russia , bridge , circle of light , Tsaritsyno , Tsaritsyno Ponds , Light Installations , Moscow

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Arsenal and Nikolskaya Tower in the Fall Season

View from the building of the State Kremlin Palace on Arsenal building and Nikolskaya (St. Nicholas) tower of Moscow Kremlin on a nice sunny day in the Golden Autumn season.

Take one of these exciting tours:

Moscow Highlights
Discovering the Golden Ring of Russia
Arts & Culture Tours
Moscow by Night tour

IMAGES

2835 Car Marine Ship Lights Yacht LED Light 12V White/Blue Waterproof
Aqua Signal® 40000-7
51W 3500LM 6500K White Light 17 LED Waterproof Car Boat Marine Work
Led Boat Running Lights
Know Your Nav Lights
Marine Navigation Lights Rules Of The Road

COMMENTS

Navigation Lights for Sailboats (And How To Read Them)
As such a power boat, and by extension all sailboats, MUST, without question show one green light on the starboard bow and one red light on the port bow and one all around white light or lights while operating in reduced visibility. These lights should shine at all 360 degrees of visibility with the bow lights shining at an angle of dead ahead ...
What 18 Symbols On Your Car's Dashboard Mean
What it means: Your engine is running low on oil, or there is a problem with your car's oil pressure system. 4. Traction Control. undefined / Traction control warning light on car dashboard ...
Boat Navigation Lights Rules: Illustrated Beginners Guide
For most small vessels, motoring requires red and green (port and starboard) lights, and a white light visible in all directions around the boat. This is almost always a stern light and a masthead light on sailboats. Boats under sail require port and starboard lights, and a white stern light. Sailboats below sixty-five feet may show a tricolor ...
Vehicle Warning Lights
Battery Warning. Resembling a small red battery, this light lets you know that there is an issue with the electrical system. It could be anything from wiring to the alternator, but it is often a dead battery. It can also mean that the car's charging system is running on low power and that your vehicle is running largely on battery power.
Boat Flashing Light Signals: A Guide to Navigational Safety
1. Red Flashing Light: This signifies a vessel's port side (left) when it appears ahead or on your port side. 2. Green Flashing Light: Conversely, this represents a vessel's starboard side (right) when visible ahead or on your starboard side. 3. White Flashing Light: A white flashing light can indicate multiple things depending on its pattern:
Boat Navigation Light Rules Explained (For Beginners)
Boats less than 12 meters or 39.4 feet long: You'll need one red light and one green light at the front port and starboard sides of the boat for these boats. These lights should be positioned so that they can be seen at an angle of 112.5 degrees. The sidelights should be strong enough to be seen from a mile away.
How to use Navigation Lights on a Boat
Boating at night is completely different from driving your car at night and it can be a bit nervewracking for many. Unlike car lights, boat navigation lights...
Ultimate Guide To Marine Navigation Lighting
A vessel that is over 7 m or 23 ft in length is expected to show red and green sidelights when sailing. Each of these lights needs to cover an arc of 112.5°. The sidelights may be combined in one lantern at the bow when below 25 m or 65 ft. The white stern light can be seen over an arc of 135°.
Navigation Lights on Sailing Yachts and Motor Boats
Stern light. A white light mounted as close to the stern as possible and shines dead ahead in an arc of 135° (67.5° to each side). The mounting height should be aligned to the height of the side lights and should never be higher. 3. Three-colour light for sailing vessels (sailing lights) On sail boats up to a length of 20 m, the side light ...
Navigation Lights : BoatUS Foundation
On any vessel, navigation lights have a specific color, (white, red, green, yellow, blue), arc of illumination, range of visibility, and location, as required by law and regulations. For the purposes of this course, we will concentrate on pleasure boats under 65 feet in length. Knowledge of navigation lights is important to a small-boat skipper ...
Shining the Sailboat Lights At Night: What You Need To Know
Sailboat-Specific Navigation Light Rules. Sailboats must have the same red and green lights as powerboats. The difference is that you'll need other ones on the stern and mast. If your boat is less than 65 feet, you can use either a combination of a bicolor light with red and green along with another at the stern or a tricolor one on top of ...
Rules of the Road : BoatUS Foundation
Light Rules are covered under the Navigation Light Equipment section. The Rules of the Road are published by the U. S. Government Printing Office, and are available in any boating supply stores. Every boat owner should have a copy, but they are mandatory to be kept on vessels over 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length.
Navigation Lights: Hella and Aqua Signal Shine Brightest
Only five lights rated good at 2 nm: Aqua Signal's 40100-1 bi-color light and 40400-1 masthead; Hella Marine's 62208 stern light, 62206 masthead, and 6225 tri-color. (This tricolor was actually the most visible of all the lights in the test, scoring "excellent" at 1 nm and "good" at 2 nm.) Some sidelights that were rated for only ...
Best LED Navigation Lights
The Shangyuan LED boat running lights are versatile and reliable for use all over the boat. These are especially used for: These LED boat navigation lights are ideal for small boats, kayaks, pontoons, and sailboats. The 3.8-inch LED strips are green for the starboard side and red for the port side.
The Best Lopolight Navigation Lights for Sailboats ...
The COLREGS state that the steaming light, on a vessel between 12m - 20m must have a range of at least 3nm, therefore the Lopolight 3nm Masthead light is a great choice. Stern Light - Lopolight 2nm stern. The stern light has an arc of 135 degrees and is used when a sailing vessel is motoring.
Marine LED Lighting, for Safety, Visibility, and Navigation
Like on a car, boat lights help you see and be seen. Marine lighting must tolerate the elements and emit even more light for safety reasons. ... When selecting LED boat light fixtures, you have numerous options to choose from, including brightness, beam pattern, waterproofing specifications, and color temperature, measured in Kelvins. (In ...
Practical Sailor Tracks Down the Best LED Tri-color Light
OGM Inc.'s USCG-approved (third-party tested) tri-color/anchor light (LXTA-12v) squeezes an amazing amount of light from a minimal amount of current (0.3 amps @ 12 volts-DC). The well-sealed, nicely machined housing and large lenses keep the LEDs in direct line of sight, regardless of heel or the viewer's proximity.
Society of Blue Buckets
Child's blue bucket. The Society of Blue Buckets (Russian: Общество синих ведёрок Obshchestvo sinikh vedyorok) is a free [clarification needed] protest movement that emerged in Russia in 2010 [1] as a response to the arbitrary, self-serving use of emergency rotating blue flashers by public servants. Inspired by blue toy buckets' strong resemblance to emergency blue rotating ...
How do you light your cockpit at night?
makes a handy low wattage lamp with a fresnel lens and a cigarette plug connector that can be used as an anchor light. I slip a notched plastic cup over it and hang it from a bimini crossbar for a neat cockpit downlight. Also have LED utility lights in the cockpit footwell for safe footing at night when docked (too bright to sail with). 1 1.
Amazon.com: MICTUNING C2 Curved White LED Rock Lights
MICTUNING C2 Curved White LED Rock Lights - 8 Pods Underglow Lights Compatible for Car Truck Offroad ATV UTV Boat . Visit the MICTUNING Store. 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 242 ratings | Search this page . $39.90 $ 39. 90. ... Revolutionary Curved Surface Design, up to 160° Ultra-Wide-Angle light, produce a huge amount of light. The Irradiation Area ...
The Darkest Hour (film)
The Darkest Hour is a 2011 science fiction action film [5] directed by Chris Gorak from a screenplay by Jon Spaihts and produced by Timur Bekmambetov.The film stars Emile Hirsch, Max Minghella, Olivia Thirlby, Rachael Taylor, and Joel Kinnaman as a group of people caught in an alien invasion.The film was released on December 25, 2011 in the United States, and grossed $65 million on a $35 ...
The Darkest Hour (2011)
The Darkest Hour: Directed by Chris Gorak. With Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella, Rachael Taylor. In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply.
Illuminated Bridge, Sailboat and Flower at Twilight
During the 4th Moscow International Festival «Circle of Light» (which was held from 10 to 14 October, 2014) the well-known pedestrian bridge (length 60 m/196ft) that leads to the island "Horseshoe" with a "Singing Fountain" in the middle of Tsaritsino ponds, was transformed into a "Crystal Bridge" by using light installations.