Chapter - 05

Lights For Vessels

Disregarding, for the purposes of our discussion here, all special types such as pilot vessels, ferry boats and other classes for which specific lights are prescribed (see pages 78-84), the big, broad classifications of "vessels" in the Pilot Rules would be—steam vessels and sailing vessels. In so far as these rules are concerned, a steam vessel includes any vessel propelled in whole or in part by machinery. Furthermore a steam vessel under sail and not under steam is considered a sailing vessel. Every vessel under steam, whether under sail or not, is considered a steam vessel. This is explicit and easily interpreted.

The Motor Boat Act

On "navigable" (Federal) waters of the United States, vessels propelled by machinery, not over 65 feet in length (except tug boats and tow boats propelled by steam) are classed as motor boats. They come within the provisions of the Motor Boat Act of 1940, which divides them into four classes (A, up to 16 feet; 1, 16 to 26 feet; 2, 26 to 40 feet; and 3, 40 to 65 feet) and contains provisions prescribing the equipment to be carried by each class. Included in this equipment are the lights which must be exhibited by every motor boat in all weathers from sunset to sunrise when under way. (A vessel is under way when not at anchor, aground or made fast to the shore.) The law does not require lights to be aboard during the day.

When Is A Vessel "Propelled By Machinery"?

Now, in order to determine whether a certain vessel should be lighted in accordance with the Motor Boat Act or according to the Pilot Rules, it is necessary to determine whether she is "propelled by machinery" and whether she is under or over 65 feet.

According to an opinion given by the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, when asked about the status of auxiliaries, a vessel (under 65 feet) is considered to be a motor boat when the motor is connected to the shaft and propeller, regardless of whether the engine is actually in operation or not. Thus, they say, in the case of a sailing vessel carrying an outboard motor, the vessel is an auxiliary (and would be classed as a motor boat) when the outboard motor is attached to the stern. A sailing vessel is also an auxiliary when it has an inboard motor aboard connected with the shaft and propeller. (This definition or ruling is also important from the angle of the Federal regulations which require undocumented "motor boats" to carry a number assigned by the U. S. Coast Guard District Commander.)

In the light of this interpretation, any auxiliary—whether its engine is running or not—is subject to the light requirements specified in the Motor Boat Act of April 25, 1940 for motor boats under sail alone or under sail and power. Lights for auxiliaries prescribed under an amendment to the Motor Boat Act (Public Law 552, effective June 4, 1956) are discussed on pages 75 and 76.

All boats under 150 feet in length at anchor are required to display one white 32-point light forward not more than 20 feet above the hull. This must be visible at least 1 mile. In special anchorage areas designated by the Secretary of War, however, no anchorage light is required on vessels under 65 feet in length.

Sailboats

Considering first the out-and-out sailboat that has no motive power of any kind aboard (or perhaps may have an outboard motor stowed away somewhere in a locker for emergency), since she is not "propelled by machinery" it makes no difference whether she is under or over 65 feet. She does not come under the definition of a motor boat and is not subject to the Motor Boat Act, but should carry the lights specified by the Pilot Rules. The vessel mentioned parenthetically above, with outboard stowed away, would be considered an auxiliary only when the outboard was attached to the hull in its propelling position.

Now the Pilot Rules specify, for sailing vessels of all sizes, a red 10-point side light to port and a green 10-point side light to starboard. They carry no white lights except that a white light or flare is shown to overtaking vessels. This, however, is not permanently fixed.

To provide for small craft where it might not be feasible to carry the separate red and green side lights (which are ordinarily attached to the standing rigging) it has been held, under the Pilot Rules for the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, that an open sailboat not over 18 feet in length is not required to carry the separate red and green side lights. However, if she does not, she must carry a lantern having a green slide on one side and a red slide on the other. This must be shown in time to avert collision, in a manner that will prevent the red slide from being seen across the starboard bow, and the green slide across the port bow.

Special Provisions For Small Craft

Under the Inland Pilot Rules for other Federal waters, provision is also made for small craft. Whenever, as in the case of vessels of less than 10 gross tons under way during bad weather, the green and red side lights cannot be fixed, these lights must be kept at hand, lighted and ready for use. On the approach of or to other vessels, these are shown on their respective sides in time to prevent collision. Such lights should be screened and the lanterns painted outside with the color of the light.

Furthermore, the Pilot Rules for inland waters other than the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes also provide for open sailboats under 18 feet in length. It has been held (Art. 7, Sec. 1, Act of June 7, 1897—33 U.S.C. 176) that under the language of this article a small open sailboat of around 18 feet in length is, for the purpose of this particular article, a row boat under sail. They are not required to carry the regular separate red and green side lights, but should carry a white light to be exhibited in time to prevent collision.

The paragraph dealing with vessels under 10 gross tons applies to small vessels under way in bad weather only, whereas the ruling about open sailboats under 18 feet is generally applicable, even in clear weather.

Motor Boats—Not Under Sail

Now we turn to the out-and-out motor boat, having no sail. It is propelled by machinery and is, by definition, of necessity under 65 feet. It is lighted according to the Motor Boat Act, and the nature of the lights varies with the size of the boat. There are four classes: Class A, under 16 feet; Class 1, 16 to 26 feet; Class 2, 26 to 40 feet; Class 3, 40 to 65 feet.

Classes A and 1 (including all motor boats up to 26 feet) carry a combination lantern forward which shows red from dead ahead to two points abaft the port beam and green from dead ahead to two points abaft the starboard beam. Aft they carry a white 32-point light, higher than the red-and-green combination light forward.
 
Classes 2 and 3 (including all motor boats from 26 to 65 feet) carry a 20-point white light forward showing from dead ahead to two points abaft the beam on each side, and a white 32-point light aft, showing all around the horizon, higher than the white bow light. Separate red and green side lights are prescribed, the red showing 10 points from dead ahead to two points abaft the port beam, and green showing from dead ahead to two points abaft the starboard beam.

Motorboats—Under Sail Only

There are times when a motorboat may be driven by sail only, as for example when a motor sailer is sailing while her engine is not in operation.

In such cases motorboats of classes 2 and 3 (26 to 65 feet) carry the separate red and green side lights only, but no white lights.

Motorboats of classes A and 1 (under 26 feet) under sail only, carry a red-and-green combination bow light.

All classes carry a white lantern or flashlight which is shown in time to avert collision.

Auxiliaries—Under Sail Only

Like the motor sailer, the auxiliary subject to the Motor Boat Act (under 65 feet) shows the colored side lights only, when driven by sail alone.

This means that the auxiliary from 26 to 65 feet (classes 2 and 3) carries separate 10-point red and green side lights.

The auxiliary under 26 feet (classes A and 1) shows a combination red-and-green light forward.

None carry permanently fixed white lights under sail alone, but all do have the white lantern or flashlight at hand to be shown in time to avert collision.

Auxiliaries—Under Motor Only or Motor and Sail

Auxiliaries, when driven by motor only, or motor and sail both, are lighted like motorboats of their respective classes driven by motor only. Thus, auxiliaries of 26 to 65 feet (classes 2 and 3) carry their separate red and green 10-point side lights, a 20-point white bow light, and the 32-point white stern light.

Auxiliaries less than 26 feet in length (classes A and 1) carry the red-and-green combination light forward and white 32-point stern light aft.

Optional Lighting Under Motor Boat Act

Public Law 552 provides a new optional arrangement of lights which eliminates the necessity of changing lights when motorboats of any class operate from inland waters to the high seas.

On Inland Waters, the Great Lakes, and Western Rivers, between sunset and sunrise, motorboats of classes A, 1, 2 and 3 may continue to carry the lights prescribed for their respective classes in the Motor Boat Act. However, they now have the option of carrying, instead, the lights prescribed in International Rules for the high seas. (These make provision for small power-driven boats under 40 gross tons, such as are carried by seagoing vessels and other provision for boats of 40 gross tons or more.)

Basic Rules

Colors are used to differentiate one light from another; they have distinct and separate meanings. White, red and green lights are used and these are arranged to show in four different ways. There are 10, 12, 20 and 32-point lights indicating the arc of the compass through which they would be visible—the 32-point light being one visible from every point in the compass.

Diagram showing the arc covered by various lights. The 32-point white stern light shows all around the horizon, the white bow light ahead through 20 points (10 points each side) and the colored side lights 10 points on their respective sides

Red and green side lights show through 10 points for all classes of vessels. White lights which are designed to show only ahead are always made to show through 20 points. Lights which show through 32 points are naturally visible from ahead also.

Rowboats

Under Inland Rules a rowboat, under oars or sail, merely shows a white light at the approach of another vessel. This does not have to be permanently fixed. A lantern showing a white light may be kept at hand and displayed in sufficient time to avert collision. A similar provision is made for rowboats under the International Rules.

Range Lights

When a vessel's lights are visible in the distance there may be reasonable doubt as to its course. The relative location of the range lights will be the key. Where only one of the side lights is seen it can be assumed that you are within the 10-point sector of the other boat's side light.

Whether the relative courses of the two vessels will bring them together or not will be determined by the location of the range lights. Should the lower forward range light be to the left or right of the after range light the distance between them will indicate the approximate angle of the other vessel with your line of sight.

Should the range lights be directly over one another then it can be assumed that the other vessel is approaching head on and danger of collision exists. When the course is changed the range lights will separate and a shift to starboard will show by the lower light moving to your left while a shift to port will show by the lower light moving to your right.

Of particular value when the port light of a vessel shows is the relative location of these range lights. It can be assumed that the other vessel is in your danger zone and has the right of way.

Naturally, the relative speeds of the two boats must be taken into consideration. Also, the angle of alignment of range lights of an approaching vessel off on the beam may change rapidly, closing together and then opening again, indicating that you are safely crossing ahead of her.

   

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