Navigating the vast waters of Singapore, especially when traffic is very busy at sea, can be strenuous. Without any previous knowledge of what may lie ahead, it’s necessary for mariners to equip the vessel with proper navigation gear. Navigation warning Light is one of the most vital gears for both navigational and safety purposes.
Navigation lights assist mariners to safely navigate through the sea's lines of communication. For instance, the red and green boat lights are mandatory at night when the surroundings are dark and you have limited visibility. With navigation lights at sea, mariners can locate other vessels in the surrounding area. These lights are also required for severe weather conditions, such as fog or heavy overcast conditions.
There are proper guidelines when it comes to maritime navigational lights, including positioning, angle of illumination, and brightness of navigation lights. Any deviation from these standards or malfunctioning lights can lead to the emission of erroneous signals, presenting substantial hindrances to collision prevention.
Following are a few common types of navigation warning lights in Singapore that you may consider while choosing the ideal fit for your boats and/or towing barges :
Masthead lights are indispensable for all vessels. This white light is positioned above the mast or at the centerline of the vessel. The visibility of multiple lights depends on the length of the vessel. For smaller vessels less than 12 metres, the clarity of the light needs to be about 2 miles during the night. Conversely, for vessels that are of 12 metres or more, the light's visibility is expected to extend approximately 3 to 5 miles.
When looking for marine navigation lights, you can’t neglect sidelights. Installed on both the left and right sides of the highest boat deck, the sidelights indicate the direction of and the heading of the vessel to other boats and ships in maritime environments. The light can be both red and green. The red side light is on the port side, whereas the green one is on the starboard side. For boats longer than 80 metres, red and green sidelights should be installed on both the bow and stern.
The stern light helps other vessels see the back of the boat and understand how it's positioned and moving. Lactaid in the middle of the stern, the height of the stern should be as close to the sidelight's height as possible.
Similar to any motor vehicle, marine headlights are located in the bow of the pusher barge and assist vessels in navigating safely through the night.
This light consists of red and green flashing lights positioned above the sidelights, with a flashing frequency of 50 to 70 times per minute. Boats shorter than 12 metres can opt for a water torch instead of red and green flashing lights, ensuring the light remains bright and clearly visible.
The marine anchor light is affixed at the top of the mast and emits an all-around flashing signal. All provisions regarding navigation lights must be adhered to from sunset to sunrise. In cases of poor visibility during the day, signal lights can also be displayed. The anchor light prevents accidents by indicating the presence and location of anchored vessels in such low-light conditions.
Wealth Marine Pte Ltd features a variety of navigation warning lights in Singapore. Visit the website for more information!
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