1. Adapted from Skračić,T., „Waypoint”
NAVIGATION LIGHTS
Adapted from Skračić,T., „Waypoint”

2. Even if we have not planned it, we may soon find that we are sailing after dark, perhaps because of a failing wind – or a failed engine. So we have to be able to cope. But navigation at night is not difficult. And in some ways it is easier than by day because lights can be identified at a distance by their flashes.

3. In fact it is said that the best time to reach port after an offshore passage is at dawn. We have been able to identify the coast by a light or lights in the dark hours, but we have daylight to find our way into harbour. The hardest time after dark can be when we are in busy areas like Rijeka or Split ports or Maknare Straits.
With the lights ashore, the lights of ships, and the flashing lights of numerous lighthouses or buoys, it can look rather puzzling and challenging.
Yet, if we are familiar with the chart, navigation lights and collision regulations, we shall be able to find our way and make our navigation safe and easy – even if the horizon looks like Champs-Elysées.

4. Navigation lights
Lights must be shown from sunset to sunrise and at all times during reduced visibility.
Colours and cut off angles of lights are designed to indicate the type of a vessel and its travelling direction. Starboard light is green; port light is red; masthead and stern lights are white. All round light shows an unbroken light over an arc of 360° around the horizon. Flashing light has regular flashes of 120 or more per minute (hydrofoils and air-cushion craft). Towing light is a yellow light with the same characteristics as a stern light and mounted above it. Blue lights are carried by police and customs vessels on duty.

5. Power and sailing vessels
Power and sailing vessels 7 to 20 m LOA must carry a white masthead light, a white stern light, and red and green sidelights mounted separately or combined in a single bi-lantern. Vessels under 7 m LOA with maximum speed not exceeding 7 knots are required to carry a single all round white light but should also carry sidelights if possible.

6. Towing
Towing vessels show two masthead lights forward in a vertical line or if the length of tow exceeds 200 m – three lights in a vertical line. They also show side lights, stern light and a yellow light mounted above the stern light. Towed vessels show stern and sidelights only.

7. Hovercraft and hydrofoils
Hovercraft and hydrofoils display normal lights for power driven vessels and an all round flashing yellow light when in non-displacement mode.

8. Vessels constrained by draught.
Vessels that are constrained by draught show three all round red lights with normal navigation lights when making way.

9. Vessels not under command
Vessels that are not under command, i.e. that are unable to comply with the rules, show two all round red lights and, when making way, stern and sidelights.

10. Vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre.
Vessels which are restricted in ability to manoeuvre show three all round lights – red/white/red in a vertical line and masthead – stern and sidelights when making way.

11. Vessels aground.
Vessels that have run aground show two all round red lights and anchor lights.

12. Trawling vessel
A trawling vessel shows two all round lights green over white and lights for a power driven vessel underway.

13. Pair trawling
Vessels trawling as a pair direct searchlights forward and toward one another.

14. Fishing vessels (other than trawling)
Fishing vessels show two all round lights red over white plus stern and sidelights when under way.
Note: A vessel is deemed to be under way when she is not at anchor or moored to the shore and is making way when she is moving through the water using any means of propulsion, and responding to her rudder.

15. Vessels at anchor
Vessels under 50 m LOA show one all round white light where best seen.
Vessels of 50 m LOA or more show two all round white lights.
Vessels more than 100 m LOA must also illuminate their decks.