|
|
|
|
|
|
Power driven vessels Towing and pushing Fishing vessels Pilot vessels Mine clearance vessels Dredgers and vessels involved in underwater operations Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars. Manoeuvring and warning signals General requirements and definitions This
is a summary of the current rules (the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea, 1972) regarding warning lights (sometimes called navigation
lights), shapes and signals for the use of modellers.
If you require greater detail then follow this link to the Regulations. It is important your model should display the correct lights, signals, etc. when on display or performing on the water. Even if you have no intention of installing working lights, it is important that you depict lights of the right colour in the right location on your model, and of course during daylight hours you must have the correct shape(s) hoisted depending on the activity you are engaged in. (a)
A power-driven vessel underway must exhibit a masthead light forward, a
second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one if the vessel is
greater than 50m in length, sidelights and a stern light. (b)
An air-cushion vessel shall in addition exhibit an all-round flashing
yellow light. (c)
A power-driven vessel of less than 12m in length may instead exhibit an
all-round white light and sidelights. The masthead light/all-round white light
may be displaced from the fore and aft centreline of the vessel if centreline
fitting is not practicable, provided the sidelights are combined in one lantern
on the fore and aft centreline or as nearly as practicable in the same fore and
aft line. (d)
A power-driven vessel of less than 7m in length whose maximum speed does
not exceed 7 knots may instead exhibit an all-round white light and shall, if
practicable, also exhibit sidelights (a)
A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen in the fore
part, an all-round white light or one ball and at or near the stern and at a
lower level an all-round white light. A
vessel of less than 50m in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it
can best be seen instead. (b)
A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100m and more in length must,
also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks. (c)
A vessel of less than 7m in length, when at anchor, not in or near a
narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate,
shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shape prescribed. (d)
The forward anchor light, when two are carried, shall not be less than
4.5m above the after one. On a vessel of 50m or more in length this forward
anchor light shall be placed at a height of not less than 6m above the uppermost
continuous deck (a)
A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit two masthead lights in a
vertical line (or when the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the
towing vessel to the after end of the tow exceeds 200m, three such lights in a
vertical line). Sidelights, a stern
light and a towing light in a vertical line above the stern light are also
required. When the length of the
tow exceeds 200m, a diamond shape shall be exhibited where it can best be seen. (b)
When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly
connected in a composite unit they are regarded as a single power-driven vessel
and exhibit lights accordingly. (c)
A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in
the case of a composite unit, shall exhibit two masthead lights in a vertical
line, sidelights and a stern light. (d)
A vessel or object being towed shall exhibit sidelights and a stern
light. When the length of the tow
exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape shall be exhibited where it can best be
seen. (e)
Any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group shall be
lighted as one vessel. (f)
A vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall
exhibit at the forward end, sidelights. (g)
A vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a stern light and at the
forward end, sidelights. (a)
A vessel when engaged in trawling shall exhibit: two all-round lights in
a vertical line, upper green and lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones
with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other.
When making way through the water, sidelights and a stern light are
required. If the vessel exceeds 50m
length it also requires a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round
green light (b)
A vessel when engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit: two
all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper red and the lower white, or a
shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above
the other. When making way through
the water, sidelights and a stern light are required. If the vessel exceeds 50m length it also requires a masthead
light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light. When
there is outlying gear extending more than 150m horizontally from the vessel, an
all-round white light or a cone apex upwards is displayed indicating the
direction of the outlying gear. This
is placed at a horizontal distance of not less than 2m and not more than 6m away
from the two all-round red and white lights or shapes in the relevant direction,
and no higher than the all-round white light or lower than the sidelights. (c)
The lower of the two all-round lights prescribed for a vessel when
engaged in fishing shall be at a height above the sidelights not less than twice
the distance between the two vertical lights. A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red. In addition when underway sidelights and a stern light, or when at anchor the lights or shape prescribed for vessels at anchor. A vessel engaged in mine-clearance operations shall in addition to the lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel or to the lights or shape prescribed for a vessel at anchor as appropriate, exhibit three all-round green lights or three balls. One of these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near the foremast head and one at each end of the fore yard. These lights or shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel to approach within 1000m of the mine clearance vessel. Dredgers
and vessels involved in underwater operations (e.g. dive support vessels) a) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations shall exhibit three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen, the highest and lowest of these lights red and the middle white. Three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen, the highest and lowest of these shapes balls and the middle a diamond, are also required. When making way through the water, a masthead light or lights, sidelights and a stern light are also required.
Sailing
vessels underway and vessels under oars. (a)
A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit sidelights and a stern light.
In a sailing vessel of less than 20m in length the lights may be combined
in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen. (b)
A sailing vessel underway may in addition exhibit at or near the top of
the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line,
the upper being red and the lower green, but these lights shall not be exhibited
in conjunction with the combined lantern. (c)
A sailing vessel of less than 7m in length or a vessel under oars shall,
if practicable, exhibit lights, but if she does not, she shall have ready at
hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be
exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. (d)
A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery
shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards. Manoeuvring
and warning signals (a)
When vessels are in sight of one another, a power-driven vessel underway
shall indicate that it intends to manoeuvre by the following signals on her
whistle: - one short blast to mean "I am altering my course to starboard". - two short blasts to mean "I am altering my course to port". - three short blasts to mean "I am operating astern propulsion". Any vessel may supplement the whistle signals by light signals, repeated as appropriate whilst the manoeuvre is being carried out, using the same code flashes. The light used for this signal shall be an all-round white light placed a minimum height of 2m vertically above the forward masthead light and not less than 2m vertically above or below the after masthead light. On a vessel where only one masthead light is carried the manoeuvring light, if fitted, shall be carried where it can best be seen, not less than 2m vertically apart from the masthead light. (b)
When in sight of one another in a narrow channel or fairway a vessel
intending to overtake another shall indicate her intention by the following
signals on her whistle: -
two prolonged blasts
followed by one short blast to mean "I intend to overtake you on your
starboard side" -
two prolonged blasts
followed by two short blasts to mean "I intend to overtake you on your port
side". The vessel about to be overtaken shall indicate her agreement by one prolonged, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, in that order. (c) When vessels in sight of one another are approaching each other and either vessel fails to understand the intentions or actions of the other or fears a collision, the vessel in doubt shall immediately give at least five short and rapid blasts on the whistle. Such signal may be supplemented by a light signal. (d)
A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a channel or fairway where other
vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall sound one prolonged
blast. Such signal shall be answered with a prolonged blast by any approaching
vessel that may be within hearing around the bend or behind the intervening
obstruction. (e)
The word "whistle" means any approved sound signalling
appliance, including horns, sirens, etc. The
term "short blast" means a blast of about one second's duration.
The term "prolonged blast" means a blast of from four to six
seconds' duration. (f)
A vessel of 12m or more in length shall be provided with a whistle and a
bell and a vessel of 100m or more in length shall, in addition, be provided with
a gong, the tone and sound of which cannot be confused with that of the bell.
Other equipment having the same respective sound characteristics may
replace the bell or gong or both, provided that manual sounding of the
prescribed signals shall always be possible. General requirements and definitions (a)
"Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and
aft centreline showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225
degrees fixed to show 112.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel. The forward masthead light must be at a height above the
topmost continuous deck of not less than 6m.
If the beam of the vessel exceeds 6m, then the height above the deck must
be not less than the beam, up to a maximum of 12m. When two masthead lights are carried the after one shall be at
least 4.5m vertically higher than the forward one. The masthead light of a power-driven vessel of 12m but less than 20m in length shall be placed at a height above the gunwale of not less than 2.5m. A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may carry the masthead or all round light at a height of less than 2.5m above the gunwale, provided it is at least 1 metre higher than the sidelights. When
two masthead lights are prescribed for a power-driven vessel, the horizontal
distance between them shall not be less than one half of the length of the
vessel but need not be more than 100m. The forward light shall be placed not
more than one quarter of the length of the vessel from the stem. When
only one masthead light is prescribed for a power driven vessel, this light
shall be exhibited forward of amidships, or in the case of a vessel of less than
20 metres in length as far forward as is practicable. (b) "Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees from right ahead on its respective side. In a vessel of less than 20m in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centreline of the vessel. The sidelights of a power-driven vessel shall be placed at a height above the upper continuous deck not greater than three-quarters of that of the forward masthead light. They shall not be so low as to be interfered with by deck lights. If in a combined lantern and carried on a power-driven vessel of less than 20m in length, they shall be placed not less than 1m below the masthead light. The sidelights shall be fitted with inboard matt black screens. With a combined lantern, using a single vertical filament and a very narrow division between the green and red sections, external screens need not be fitted. On a power-driven vessel of 20m or more in length the sidelights shall not be placed in front of the forward masthead lights. They shall be placed at or near the side of the vessel. (c)
"Stern light" means a white light placed as nearly as
practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of
135 degree, showing the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the
vessel. (d)
"Towing light" means a yellow light having the same
characteristics as the "stern light". (e)
"All-round light" means a light showing an unbroken light over
an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees. (f)
"Flashing light" means a light flashing at regular intervals at
a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute. (g)
When two or three lights are to be carried in a vertical line, they shall
be spaced as follows:
(h)
“Shapes” shall be black and of the following sizes: -
a ball shall have a
diameter of not less than 0.6m -
a cone shall have a
base diameter of not less than 0.6m and a height equal to its diameter; -
a cylinder shall have
a diameter of at least 0.6m and a height of twice its diameter; -
a diamond shape shall
consist of two cones as defined above having a common base. The
vertical distance between shapes shall be at least 1.5m. In a vessel of less than 20m in length shapes of lesser dimensions but commensurate with the size of the vessel may be used and the distance apart may be correspondingly reduced.
|
|
Copyright © South Manchester Model Boat Club 2002 This site created and maintained by Steve Booty Or address snail mail to our Secretary: Mrs J Booty, 26 Amberwood Drive, Baguley, Manchester M23 9ND Or telephone 0 161 998 1204
|
SOUTH
MANCHESTER MODEL BOAT CLUB
