A Guide to Marine Signal Lighting

 

Lighting systems are necessary to help you navigate appropriately. Like road lighting systems signal

 you to take turns and pull the break, marine lighting systems help sea-bound vessels avoid accidents. 

Marine lights are available in three dominant colors - red, green, and white. This article sheds light 

on some essential aspects of navigation lighting and its beneficial features. 

Marine Navigation Lighting Fundamentals

Inland navigational features like the radio transmitter masts send signals and warn ship crews

 against distressing threats.

Instead of using incandescent light sources, the pilot should look for red lights and dim white

 lights in the navigation area. It will allow the pilot to secure night vision for emergencies to read 

buoyage navigation lights and boat navigation as and when necessary.  

The steersman uses almanacs that record practical details of light signals emanating from 

navigational markers inside and outside the channel. 

As per the International Navigation Rules, the right place of marine signal lighting in the upper

 part of the deck. As for additional fixtures, you could mount these lights closer to the ship's front

 and back centerline. 

The size of the vessel determines the number of colored or white lights that will be used. 

A typical nautical ship will have the following marine signal lights - 

Masthead Light 

Port Sidelight 

Starboard Sidelight 

Stern Lights 

Towing Light

All-Round Light

Some Useful Marine Signals and Their Applications 

Marine Signals are of various kinds. Here's a look at top marine signals and their meaning.

Pyrotechnic Distress Signals

Pyrotechnic signals trigger a chemical reaction that generates flames and exothermic signals like light smoke

. Pyrotechnic flares are of various kinds - parachute flares, smoke signals, and many more. Pyrotechnic signals

 should be easily accessible to cater to the Coast Guard needs. Pyrotechnic flares are often used as distress

 signals to reach out to people. If you want to signal rescuers for help, consider firing red flares one after 

another. If you are using handheld equipment, flares can last up to two minutes. 

Non-Pyrotechnic Distress Signals

Non-pyrotechnic signals last longer than their pyrotechnic counterparts. Sailors commonly use these signals

. Since non-pyrotechnics devices don't have expiration dates, these devices are referred to as other traditional

 alternatives. 

Some sought-after non-pyrotechnic distress signals include - 

Marker Dyes 

SOS Signals

Radio Signals 

Heliographs 

Beacon Lights 

Noisemakers 

Creative Signals 

Marine signals have various essential functions. While navigational lighting is the most dominant type of maritime

 signal that sends messages to sea-bound vessels for smooth navigation. Boaters use marine radios with DSC 

alert and channel 70 facilities to communicate their location and seek assistance. Sound signaling devices are

 also standard - these devices generate continuous sounds with instruments like foghorns, bells, or whistles. 

Guns and other explosive items are also fired in case of an emergency. 

Pyrotechnic Signals are the most common type of distress signals. The most popular pyrotechnic signals include

 parachute flare, multi-star flare, handheld flare, and orange smoke flare.