To avoid collisions, cruise ships and ferries must be equipped with navigation lights (running lights) that allow other vessels to determine the type and relative angle of a vessel and therefore decide if there is a risk of collision. In addition to the running lights, the vessels must indicate special conditions, for example, being at anchor. The required lighting solution must operate in all weather conditions.
Different areas on the ship require special demands for lighting
Using the appropriate fixture material for the application is critical in order to ensure high robustness and a long operating life of the light fittings, resulting in minimal or zero downtime.
Important factors to consider when choosing navigation lights for cruise ships and ferries:
- Fulfillment of all applicable rules for the vessel.
- Ingress Protection (IP) rating.
- Mechanical strength/impact resistance.
- Low maintenance and reduced power consumption (high energy efficiency).
Fulfillment of all applicable rules
Marine navigation and signal lights must fulfill all the requirements of International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREG), which are published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and local rules.
A high priority is the ingress protection (IP) rating of the light fitting. The challenge here is not only to protect the fixtures from rain and seawater spray, but also from the continuous impact forces caused by waves in rough seas, which means an IP66/67 rating is required. In addition, the light fixtures must also survive intensive cleaning, using brushes, tools and sometimes high-pressure cleaners.