17 Navigation Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals

17.1 A vessel should comply with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996, SI 1996 No.75. A vessel which operates only between sunrise and sunset and in favourable weather is not required to carry navigation lights.

17.2 Sound signalling equipment should comply with the Regulations. A vessel of less than 12 metres in length is not obliged to carry the sound signalling equipment required by the Regulations, provided that some other means of making an efficient sound signal is provided.

17.3 If it can be demonstrated to the Certifying Authority that, for a particular vessel, full compliance with the Regulations is impracticable, then application should be made to the MCA via the Certifying Authority for consideration of equivalent arrangements, taking into account the nature of the operation of the vessel concerned.

17.4 Table 17.1 is a summary table of navigation lights, shapes and sound signalling appliances for vessels. This Table is for guidance only and does not cover all possible operations, i.e. diving. Reference should be made to the regulations stated in Section 17.1 for all operations not covered.

Table 17.1 Lights, shapes and sound appliances (see Section 17.4)

Overall length	Power vessels when underway (and Sailing Vessels when under power, see Note d)	Sailing vessels when under sail	At anchor ^footnote	Not under command ^footnote	Aground ^footnote	Sound appliances
Less than 7m	All round white + sidelights^footnote, ^footnote	Sidelights^footnote + stern light OR Combined lantern at masthead^footnote (tricolour) OR White light where the above are not practicable	Required^footnote, ^footnote	Not required	Not required	Means to make an efficient sound signal required
7m - 12m	All round white + sidelights^footnote OR Masthead (vis 2 miles) + sidelights^footnote + stern light OR (if lights have to be offset from centreline) combined lantern sidelights plus either all round white or masthead and stern light	Sidelights^footnote + stern light (sidelights may be combined) OR Combined lantern at masthead^footnote (tricolour)	Required^footnote	Not required	Not required	Means to make an efficient sound signal required
12m - 20m	Masthead (vis 3 miles) + sidelights + stern light	Sidelights + stern light (sidelights may be combined) OR Combined lantern at masthead^footnote (tricolour)	Required^footnote	Required^footnote	Required^footnote,^footnote	Whistle and bell required
20m - 24m	Masthead (vis 5 miles) + sidelights + stern light	Sidelights + stern light may show (in addition to other lights) two all-round lights near masthead, the upper red and the lower green.	Required	Required	Required	Whistle and bell required approved by UK nominated bodies
Notes a Sidelights, stern light and all round lights have range of 2 miles unless indicated otherwise. b Range of all round white or anchor or Not Under Command lights is 2 miles in all cases. c All lights (and whistles and bells when they are required to be carried) must be type approved for the size of vessel on which they are fitted. d For sailing vessels, attention should be paid to light arrangements when under power i.e. steaming lights in place of masthead light. e For vessels engaged in other activities i.e. towing, pilotage, attention should be paid to requirements for lights and shapes arrangements. f If a sailing vessel is using its engine as well as sails, then a cone, apex downwards in the fore part, should be displayed in the forepart of the vessel. g In the case of open boats, vertical heights should be measured from gunwale, and in the case of inflatable boats, or boats fitted with a buoyant collar, from the top of the collar or tubes.