ItoS - the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

Legend / Explanation of abbreviations:

• Annex I to COLREG: Positioning and technical details of lights and shapes

• Circ.: Circular

• COLREG: the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended

• HSC-1994: the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 1994

• HSC-2000: the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, 2000

• ItoRO: Instruction to Recognised Organisations

• LED: Light Emitting Diodes

• MED: Marine Equipment Directive

• MSC: Marine Safety Committee

• NSI: the Netherlands Shipping Inspectorate

• RAM: restricted in their ability to manoeuvre

• RO: Recognised Organisation

1 Introduction

The information contained within this document are not in themselves statutory, but they draw attention to the principal legislation on navigation lights, shapes, sound- and light signals and provide guidance on how the requirements of this legislation may be met. They also provide recommendations which are made in the light of previous experience both within NSI or its ROs as well as the wider maritime industry.

The requirements are contained in the COLREG. The applicability of the COLREG has been implemented in national law by means of Besluit toepassingverklaring Internationale Bepalingen ter voorkoming van aanvaringen op zee, 1972; as well as the principal statutory requirements relating to lights and signals are contained in 'Schepenwet Artikel 4.d.' & the 'Schepenbesluit 2004, Artikel 45.1'.

These information, instructions, etc. have been issued by the NSI for the guidance of the RO surveyors and all other relevant parties whilst drawing, installing and assessing the layout of vessels' navigation lights, sound signals and light signals. They also provide guidance concerning the requirements to be met so as to comply with the various statutory provisions relating to these items and to satisfy the conditions for the approval of the layout of navigation lights and sound signals intended for use at sea.

Terms and definitions used in this document are in line with those used in the COLREG.

Reference is made to ItoRO no. 34 – the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

2 Navigation lights – general

2.1 Layout and MED

The layout of navigation lights on board a vessel are laid down in the COLREG, principally in Annex I, which should be read in conjunction with Rule 21.

On all Netherlands flagged vessels, the navigation lights must be type approved in accordance with MED standards. Lights which are not MED approved, shall not be placed.

2.1.1 Installation of relevant navigation lights

For navigation lights under COLREG, only navigation lights which are relevant for a ship's operational purpose shall be installed.

Besides, navigation-lights as required for specific area's / canals (such as 'Suez-lights' or 'Panama-lights') may need to be installed, however not under approval of the NSI.

3 Fitting of Navigation lights

3.1 Masthead light

3.1.1 Height above the hull

Section 2(a)(i) of the Annex I to COLREG, referencing to the height above the hull, is applicable to the masthead light as prescribed by COLREG Rule 23(a)(i) as well as to the uppermost masthead light as prescribed by Rule 24(a)(i), as long as that specific light is used as masthead light when the vessel is not engaged in towing activities.

3.1.2 The masthead light forward – obstructions on board

With reference to COLREG Rule 23, in case obstructions (such as wind assisted propulsion systems or other permanent equipment) are placed on board a vessel equipped with a masthead light foreward ánd an second masthead light abaft (aft masthead light), the masthead light forward shall not be obscured from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel under all conditions of draught, trim and deck cargo.

3.2 Sternlight

With regard to COLREG Rule 21(c), the NSI:

1. requires the sternlight to be:

2. positioned vertically in such way that the sternlight is always visible, and its visibility is normally not impaired by waves;

3. positioned horizontally as close to the stern as is practicable, taking into account the nature of operations of the vessel;

4. the navigation light which is positioned closest to the stern, and

5. does not require the sternlight to be positioned horizontally in the ship's fore and aft centerline.

In case the sternlight is not placed at the stern of the vessel, special reference is made to the provisions of Rule 36 (e.g. lightning of the deck area from the sternlight to the stern itself).

3.3 Sidelights

With reference to Section 3(b) of Annex I to COLREG, exemptions are not required for the horizontal positioning and spacing of sidelights provided that

1. they are not placed in front of the forward masthead lights; and

2. in the professional judgement of the surveyor, they are placed at or near the side of the vessel (reference is made to MSC.1/Circ.1260/Rev.1).

3.4 All-round lights - general

All-round lights must be placed clear of obstructions in order to meet the requirements of Section 9(b) of Annex I to COLREG.

3.4.1 Anchor lights

With regard to COLREG Rule 30(a), the positioning of anchor lights shall comply with Section 9(b)(i) of Annex I to COLREG; as far as practicable anchor lights need to be placed in the most favorable position (normally, for the anchor light in the fore part of the vessel: the uppermost top of the masthead / navigation light mast).

In case the forward anchor lights are not positioned at the most favorable position, Section 9(b)(ii) of Annex I to COLREG is fully applicable.

3.4.2 Restricted in their ability to meanoevre due to operations or draught

3.4.2.1 Lights for a vessel restricted in their ability to manoeuvre

With regard to COLREG Rule 27(b)(i), Rule 28 and Section 3(c) of Annex I to COLREG, for a vessel:

1. of less than 50 meters in length;

2. without a second masthead light in accordance with COLREG Rule 23(a)(ii); and

3. restricted in her ability to manoeuvre,

the NSI:

1. deems Section 3(c) of the Annex I to COLREG not to be applicable;

2. does not require the three all-round lights (in a vertical line where they can best be seen) to be positioned at a horizontal distance of not less than 2 meters from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel in the athwart direction; and

3. instead allows for:

   • the three all-round lights to be positioned at a horizontal distance of not less than 1 meter from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel in the athwart direction; or

   • the three all-round lights to be positioned so that the vertical distance between the (lowest) masthead light and the uppermost light of the three all-round lights is not less than 3 meters.

Besides, reference is made to Section 9(b) of Annex I to COLREG, which is fully applicable.

3.4.2.2 Vessels' RAM lights in special operating areas

With regard to COLREG Rule 3(g)(iii) and Rule 27(b)(i), for a vessel:

1. which from the nature of its work (replenishment or transferring persons) is restricted in its ability to manoeuvre (e.g. crew transfer vessel, pilot boat); and

2. which operates in a special operating area (e.g. windturbine area, pilotage area); and

3. which is able to swiftly abort its work (replenishment or transferring persons) and to become fully manoeuvreable again,

the NSI does not require the installation and exhibition of the lights under COLREG Rule 27(b)(i) for its work in a special operating area.

3.5 Safe Access

During the life of a vessel, access to the lights is necessary for light replacement, repairs and inspection.

3.6 Vertical sectors

With regard to Section 10 of Annex I to COLREG, the NSI requires that vertical sectors of lights as fitted, measured from the top and bottom of the lens, shall not be obscured by the structure of the vessel.

3.7 Positioning of navigation lights and the proper look-out

With regard to COLREG Rule 5 and SOLAS regulation V/22, the NSI requires the vertical and horizontal positioning of navigation lights (e.g. forward masthead light, forward anchor light):

1. not to interfere (e.g. disturbing glow of navigation lights during fog or rain) with the proper look-out by sight, so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision; and

2. not to obscure the horizontal field of vision (i.e. view of the sea surface as seen from the conning position at the ship's wheelhouse).

3.8 Duplication of navigation lights

3.8.1 Masthead light(s), sidelights and stern light

With regard to COLREG Rule 21, Rule 23 and Rule 34(b) and paragraph 4.1.3 of the IMO Performance Standards for Navigation Lights, Navigation Light Controllers and associated equipment (Resolution MSC.253(83)), the NSI requires:

1. the navigation lights, navigation light controllers and associated equipment installed on board a vessel, to conform to performance standards not inferior to those specified in the Annex to Resolution MSC.253(83);

2. the masthead light(s), sidelights and stern light installed on a vessel of not less than 50 meters in length, each to be duplicated by means of a primary and alternative ('standby') light.

3.8.2 Towing/pushing-, fishing- and RAM- lights

With regard to COLREG Rule 24, Rule 26 and Rule 27, and the IMO Performance Standards for Navigation Lights, Navigation Light Controllers and associated equipment (Resolution MSC.253(83)), the NSI:

1. requires the navigation lights on a vessel of not less than 50 meters in length, engaged in operations as mentioned in COLREG Rule 24, 26 and 27 (except when not under command), to be duplicated or be fitted with duplicate lamps, except when the RO is of the opinion that the duplication or fitting with duplicate lamps is impracticable; and

2. requires the navigation light controller located on the bridge to be supplied from two sources of electrical power, one of them independent from the main source of electrical power.

4 Exemptions and deviations

With regard to COLREG Rule 1(e), for a vessel of special construction or purpose, the NSI allows for an exemption to be issued by the RO. However, such exemptions are to be kept to a minimum, and they will only be granted if the NSI is satisfied that all reasonable efforts have been made to comply as closely as possible. Well-founded proposals for (temporary) exemptions shall be submitted in compliance with ItoRO no. 15 - Reporting and procedure for non-compliance, through the RO.

For newbuilding vessels exemption-request shall be submitted well in advance of the installation of the navigational lights, in order to prevent repositioning of navigational lights afterwards.

5 Shapes

With regard to Section 6 of Annex I to COLREG a vessel shall be equipped with all and enough daymarks necessary to correctly display all possible operations (i.e. all standard and all unexpected).

6 Other

6.1 Using LED for navigation lights

With regard to COLREG Rule 21 and paragraph 4.3 of the IMO Performance Standards for Navigation Lights, Navigation Light Controllers and associated equipment (Resolution MSC.253(83)), in case the lamps of the navigation lights are of an LED type, the NSI:

1. for navigation lights which are not required to be duplicated on board, requires a sufficient number of spare LED type lamps to be available on board; and

2. for navigation lights which are required to be duplicated on board, requires that duplication is ensured before leaving the first port of arrival.

6.2 Vertical line

Where the COLREG state that navigation lights '[…] are to be placed in a vertical line […] (for example as per COLREG Rule 27 (a)(i)), the required vertical line is to be considered in a straight line so without any horizontal distance when seen from any position around the vessel (referred to the baseline).

6.3 Vessel with assisting propulsion only

A vessel (e.g. a barge) without propulsion, however equipped with assisting propulsion (such as thrusters) for positioning purposes at the working location only, and not for propulsion purposes, is not considered as a power-driven vessel; reference is made to Rule 3(b).

• Informatietype: Informatie voor uitvoering
• Documentsoort: Nieuwsbrief
• Toegangsrechten: Extern
• Identificatie: PUC_787071_14
• Versie: 1
• Datum beschikbaarheid: 25-02-2025
• Geldigheid van: 25-02-2025
• Wijzigingsdatum: 25-02-2025
• Titel: ItoS - the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Organisatie: Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport
• Taal: Engels
• Onderwerp: Veiligheid / Safety
• Hoofdtaak: Koopvaardij / Merchant Shipping
• Thema: Zeevaart / Seagoing ships / Information / National Instruments - (Informative) / Information to Shipping