Evening fishing or night crossing to the parking lot requires the skipper to be very focused and to comply with strict safety regulations. boat-lightThis is not just a tuning element, but a mandatory requirement of legislation, the disregard of which can lead to a collision with another boat or a serious fine from the inspector of the GIMS.
In a low visibility environment, it is the right lighting equipment that allows other captains to determine the dimensions, direction and type of your vessel. Modern LED solutions have made life much easier for water-powered motors, making lights brighter, more durable and more energy efficient. However, choosing the right model requires an understanding of technical specifications and regulations.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what boat lights are, how to install them correctly on a PVC boat or metal boat, and what to look for when buying, and we will also touch on the issues of electrical wiring to avoid contact oxidation and loss of voltage at the most inopportune time.
⚠️ Note: Operation of a small vessel in the dark without serviceable navigation lights is a direct violation of safety rules and entails administrative liability.
Classification of boat lights according to the rules of the IFRS
In order to properly equip a boat, you need to understand the difference between types of lights. The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions of boats (ICPS) clearly regulate what light and into what sector of the horizon each light should emit. Airborne lights Red (left side) and green (right side) signals that are visible from the bow of the vessel up to 22.5° beyond the diametric plane on each side.
The stern is usually set up lamp or circularFor small vessels less than 12 metres long, the rules allow for combining these lights into a single mast structure or a combined onboard light. It is important to distinguish between the two: a top light illuminates a sector 225 degrees in the direction of the bow, and a circular light is visible from all sides (360 degrees).
- 🔴 Red fire. - left side, sector of visibility 112.5 degrees.
- 🟢 Green fire Starboard, 112.5 degree visibility sector.
- ⚪ White fire. - aft or top, the sector of visibility depends on the type (135 or 360 degrees).
- 🟡 Yellow fire. - used for towing or on high-speed vessels (less commonly found on amateur boats).
The choice of the specific configuration depends on the length of your vessel. The length of the boat exceeds 7 metersThe rules are becoming stricter regarding the height of the installation and the separation of lights vertically. For inflatable boats, portable versions are often used, which are mounted on a temporary mast or holder only while driving.
Technical specifications: LED vs. halogen
The marine equipment market offers two main types of light sources: traditional incandescent lamps and modern LED (LED) lamps.LED) Matrices: Halogen lamps are gradually becoming a thing of the past due to their high energy consumption and low reliability, and they heat up very much, which is dangerous for plastic lamps and wiring, and is also sensitive to vibration.
LED boat-light The energy consumption of LED models is 5-10 times lower, which is critical for autonomous swimming, when the battery needs to be conserved for the motor and sonar, and the life of LEDs is estimated at tens of thousands of hours, making them virtually unserviceable.
However, when choosing LED lights, you should pay attention to the build quality and the Protection rating. Cheap Chinese counterparts can have an uneven spectrum of glow or insufficient brightness, which will not allow you to see the fire from the required distance (usually 2 miles for boats up to 12 meters). IP67 or IP68This guarantees complete tightness.
Why can LEDs blink?
Cheap LED lamps without quality drivers can have a strobe or flicker effect when operating from the generator, which is due to the pulsation of the voltage in the on-board network. To fix the problem, use stabilizers or quality lights with a built-in power controller.
GIMS requirements for installation of lights on small vessels
When inspecting documents and equipment, GIMS inspectors first pay attention to compliance with the standards. The basic rule is that the lights should be located so that they do not obstruct superstructures, passengers or cargo. The height of the installation above the water also matters: for boats up to 12 meters it should be at least 1 meter, but not less than 2.5 meters, if the design allows.
For outboard boats, a scheme is often used with one combined side light in the bow and a circular white light at the stern, with a white light positioned above the red and green, and if separate installation of side lights is used, they should be at the same height across the vessel.
Color reproduction is an important aspect: the glass of the plafonds must be strictly regulated colors, the use of homemade filters or painting of glasses is strictly prohibited, as this changes the spectral specifications of the signal. The boat's light must be certified and marked accordingly.
Only buy certified lights with the marking of conformity to standards (for example, CE or GOST), the absence of marking can be the basis for a fine when checking documents on the boat.
Connection scheme and protection of electrical wiring
The marine environment is aggressive to metals and electrical contacts, salt, moisture and temperature changes quickly destroy poor-quality insulation. boat-line It's a multi-core copper structure, and it's made of cross-linked polyethylene, and the normal wiring in the car won't last long.
All connections must be made using thermal shrink tubes with adhesive layer or special waterproof connectors. Screws and conventional insulation are not allowed. To protect the chain, a fuse must be installed, the nominal value of which corresponds to the consumed current of the lights, usually 2-5 Amperes for LED systems.
It is recommended to display the control of the lights on a separate shield with toggles that have protection from moisture. IP65 This will allow you to quickly turn on and off the signals you need without opening the battery locks, and it is also useful to install a voltmeter to monitor the battery charge.
☑️ Checking electrical wiring before the season
Comparative table of types of lights
To organize information and simplify the choice of equipment, consider the basic parameters of different types of lights in a comparative table, which will help you quickly navigate when buying components for your vessel.
| Type of fire | Colour | Sector of visibility | Min. range (for < 12 m) | Features of installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| board-board | Red/Green | 112.5° | 1 mile | On boards or combined in the nose |
| Top-of-the-line | White | 225° | 2 miles | On the mast, above the side. |
| Circular | White | 360° | 2 miles | On the stern or mast |
| Aft-handed | White | 135° | 2 miles | Strictly in the diametric plane |
The table shows that for most small craft, the best option is to use a combined bow light and a separate circular white light at the stern, a scheme that is easy to implement and fully complies with the rules for vessels less than 12 meters long.
In the installation of the hull, it is important to consider the material of the hull. Metal boats must carefully isolate the lantern body from the metal to avoid electrochemical corrosion. PVC boats use special brackets that are attached to the switches or transponders without damaging the cylinders.
⚠️ Warning: Never drill holes in the cylinders of an inflatable boat to install stationary lights. Use only removable brackets with soft clamps or a fastening to a hard transom.
Maintenance and preparation for navigation
Even the best equipment requires regular maintenance, and before each launch, it is recommended to wipe the lamps with a soft cloth, removing salt, dirt and insect traces. Pollution can significantly reduce the intensity of the light signal, making your boat invisible to others.
Once a season, you need to check the condition of the contacts and connectors. Even with good protection, moisture can penetrate into the interior at temperature changes. It is recommended to lubricate threaded connections and contacts with a special silicone wiring lubricant that repels water and prevents oxidation.
If the boat is stored in an unheated room in winter, the battery is better removed, and the lights themselves should be dismantled or securely closed from dust and rodents. Check the integrity of the cables for bite marks or drying out insulation before the start of the new season.
Regular cleaning of the ceilings and checking contacts is the guarantee that the navigation light will be visible from the design distance and will save your life in an emergency situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a flashlight instead of a navigation light?
No, the use of a hand-lamp does not comply with the rules of the ICPSM. Navigation lights must have strictly defined angles of the sector of visibility and color reproduction, which is impossible to ensure a hand-lamp, and the inspector of the GIMS can write a fine for the lack of regular equipment.
What is the minimum range of sight for a 4-meter boat?
For boats less than 7 meters long (and often up to 12 meters depending on the interpretation of regional regulations), the minimum range of visibility of the side and top lights is 1 mile, and of the circular white lights 2 miles.
Do I need to register the installed lights in GIMS?
No separate registration of navigation lights is required, but when a boat is inspected, the inspector checks whether the lights are present, in good condition and in good condition, and the absence or failure of the lights will prevent the right to drive.
Can the boat’s fire be painted in a different color?
It is strictly not recommended to paint the filter itself or the ceiling, as this changes the spectrum of radiation. Painting of the metal body is only possible with heat-resistant paints for boats, provided that the paint does not fall on the lens and does not worsen the heat sink (for incandescent lamps).
What to do if the LED fire starts to dim?
Dimming of the LED may indicate a voltage drop in the network, oxidation of contacts or degradation of the crystal itself. First check the voltage at the battery terminals with the fire on. If the voltage is normal, most likely, the LED life is coming to an end and you need to replace the lamp.