Navigation Lights

Approved navigation lights: masthead, sidelights, stern and anchor

Navigation lights are not a decorative extra: they are the system that tells other vessels at night where you are, where you are heading and what kind of vessel you are. Their configuration is governed by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG/RIPA), and failing to comply is a punishable offence as well as a genuine hazard.

At Repuestos Marinos you will find approved navigation lights for boats, in LED and halogen versions, for vessels of every length: masthead lights, sidelights, sternlights, anchor lights, all-round lights and towing lights.

Which lights each vessel carries

Sidelights. Green to starboard and red to port, each with an arc of visibility of 112.5°, from dead ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam. On small craft they may be combined in a single bicolour light at the bow.

Sternlight. White, with a 135° arc aft. It is the one seen by anyone following you.

Masthead light. White, with a 225° arc forward, mounted on the centreline and above the sidelights. It is carried by power-driven vessels.

Anchor light. White all-round (360°), visible from any direction. Compulsory when anchored outside designated areas.

A sailing yacht under sail: sidelights and sternlight, no masthead light. If she is under engine, even with the sails hoisted, she is a power-driven vessel and must show the masthead light.

Vessels under 7 m doing less than 7 knots may carry only a white all-round light, plus the sidelights if practicable. Vessels under oars may simply keep a torch to hand to show in time.

Minimum range by vessel length

COLREG sets the minimum range in nautical miles according to length:

• Under 12 m: masthead 2 M, sidelights 1 M, sternlight 2 M, anchor 2 M
• 12 to 20 m: masthead 5 M, sidelights 2 M, sternlight 2 M, anchor 2 M
• 20 to 50 m: masthead 5 M, sidelights 2 M, sternlight 2 M, anchor 3 M
• Over 50 m: masthead 6 M, sidelights 3 M, sternlight 3 M, anchor 3 M

Always check that the light you buy declares the range corresponding to your vessel's length and that it carries the approval number marking. An unapproved light may have its colour or its arc outside tolerance and may not be correctly recognisable from another boat.

LED or halogen, and mounting

LED. Five to ten times lower current draw, a service life of tens of thousands of hours and no filament to break under vibration. It is the sensible choice today, particularly on sailing yachts and boats with limited electrical capacity. Make sure the LED is approved as a complete unit: fitting an LED bulb inside a housing approved for halogen is not enough, because it changes the light pattern.

Mounting. Respect the heights and separations the regulations require: the masthead light above the sidelights, and the sidelights clear of anything that cuts into their arc. A stanchion, a bollard or even the bimini can leave a blind sector that defeats the purpose of the light.

Watertightness and corrosion. Look for IP67 or better, and bodies in UV-stabilised polycarbonate or AISI 316 stainless steel. Seal cable entries with glands and leave a drip loop so water cannot track in along the cable.

Maintenance and 24-48 h delivery

Check every light before each night passage and carry spare bulbs or backup lights on board. Clean the lenses with fresh water; corrosion and salt yellow the polycarbonate and cut the actual range. Check the connections every season: corroded contacts are the most common fault of all.

Delivery in 24-48 h to mainland Spain and the Balearics, 3-5 days to the Canary Islands and the rest of the EU. Orders placed before 14:00 ship the same day. Returns within 14 calendar days, plus technical advice by phone and WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions about navigation lights

Which navigation lights are compulsory on my boat?

It depends on the length and the type of propulsion. A power boat carries sidelights (green to starboard, red to port), a white sternlight aft and a white masthead light showing forward. A sailing yacht under sail carries sidelights and sternlight, with no masthead light. When anchored outside designated areas you must show the white all-round anchor light.

What minimum range must the lights have?

Under COLREG, on vessels under 12 metres: 2 miles for the masthead light, 1 mile for the sidelights and 2 miles for the sternlight and the anchor light. From 12 to 20 metres: 5 miles for the masthead light and 2 miles for the rest. From 20 to 50 metres: 5 miles for the masthead light, 2 for the sidelights and sternlight and 3 for the anchor light.

Can I fit an LED bulb in a light approved for halogen?

It is not advisable. Changing the light source changes the emission pattern and the unit no longer meets its approval, which is granted to the lens and source as a set, not to the housing on its own. If you want to move to LED, replace the complete light with a model approved as an LED unit.

Does a sailing yacht under engine have to show the masthead light?

Yes. A sailing yacht under engine, even with the sails hoisted, counts as a power-driven vessel and must show the masthead light in addition to the sidelights and sternlight. It is a very common mistake and a frequent cause of fines.

Which lights does a vessel under 7 metres carry?

Power-driven vessels under 7 metres that do not exceed 7 knots may carry only a white all-round light and, if practicable, the sidelights as well. Vessels under oars may simply carry a torch that they can show in time to prevent a collision.

How often should navigation lights be checked?

Check them before every night passage and carry spare bulbs or backup lights on board. Check the connections at least once a season: corroded contacts are the most common fault. Clean the lenses with fresh water, because salt yellows the polycarbonate and cuts the actual range.