Navigational Lights and Signals (original) (raw)

(British) Navigational Lights and Signals

From the Handbook of Signalling, 1913, produced by the Royal Navy's Board of Admiralty.

Lights Carried by Vessels

Special Navigational Lights and Signals.

Lights for Small Steam Craft and Torpedo Boats.

131. The following regulations are to be observed in respect to the Lights to be carried by Small Steam Craft belonging to His Majesty's Navy:-

(a) Steamboats under 40 feet in length:-

Bow Lights. - One lantern with divided coloured shades.

Masthead Light. - One lantern to be carried, if possible, at least 2 feet above the coloured light.

Anchor Lights. - An ordinary hand lantern to be used when required.

(b) Torpedo Boats and Steamboats, 40 feet in length and upwards:-

Bow Lights. - Two lanterns, showing coloured lights (red and green), to be carried at such a height, and in such a manner, as to show over any objects in the boat or launch, and to be not less than 2 feet apart horizontally.

Masthead Light. - One lantern to be carried amidships at least 2 feet above the coloured lights.

Anchor Light. - A lantern, showing a white light all round the horizon, to be carried at a height not exceeding 20 feet above the hull.

2. The above-mentioned Lights are to be visible at the following distances, at least, on a clear night:

and are, in addition, to show in the directions and over the arcs laid down in the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

3. Ships' Boats, when under oars and away from their ships after dark, are to show a white light on the foremost awning stanchion.

Mine Sweeping Vessels

132. The following signal is to be displayed by Mine Sweepers when working in pairs and connected together by a wire hawser, and not sufficiently under control to conform to the Rule of the Road:-

A Black Ball at the foremast head and a similar Ball at the yardarm, or where it can best be seen, on that side on which it is dangerous for vessels to pass.

2. This signal has not been embodied in the International "Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea," and implicit reliance should therefore not be placed on its observance by Merchant Vessels; but it has been promulgated in a Notice to Mariners, and for mutual safety other vessels, whether steamers or sailing craft, should endeavour (without violating the Rule of the Road) to keep out of the way of vessels flying this signal, and should especially remember that it is dangerous to pass between the vessels of a pair.

Wreck-marking Vessels and Buoys.

133. By Day. - Wreck-marking Vessels exhibit 3 Black Balls on a yard, 20 feet above the sea; 2 Balls being placed on the side vessels should pass, and 1 on the other.

2. By Night. - Wreck-marking Vessels exhibit 3 White Lights in the same manner as the day marks, with the same meaning.

Wreck-marking Vessels have top sides coloured Green.

NOTE. - Vessels should pass on the same side as the 2 Balls or Lights.

3. During Fog. - Wreck-marking Vessels will, whenever it is practicable during thick or foggy weather, sound a gong in addition to a bell in quick succession at intervals of not more than one minute. When a gong is not supplied, a bell only will be struck.

Wreck Buoys are coloured Green, with the word "WRECK" on them, and, when possible, are laid near to the side of the wreck next to mid-channel.

Distress Signals from British Light Vessels.

134. When a ship is observed by a Light Vessel to be making Signals of Distress, or should a Light Vessel herself require assistance, the following signals are used to summon the Lifeboat or other aid:-

By Day. - The International Signal "DB" is hoisted, and 2 guns are fired with an interval between them of 5 minutes, and repeated every 15 minutes.

By Night. - Two guns as above, each followed by a rocket.

Reply. - Red Flag by Day.

Two Red star rockets by Night.

2. Three rockets fired simultaneously every 15 minutes indicate that the Tender or Attending Boat is required.

Light Vessel Adrift. - A Light Vessel, when out of her proper station, shows a Red Light at each end of the vessel, and a Red Flare-up Light every 15 minutes.

Signals when Searchlights interfere with Navigation.

135. Any vessel approaching a British port when Searchlights are being worked, and finding that they interfere with her safe navigation, may make use of the following signals:-

(a) By Flashing Lamp. - 4 short flashes followed by 1 long flash

(b) By Whistle, Siren or Foghorn. - 4 short blasts followed by 1 long blast.

2. Whenever possible, both the Flashing Lamp and the Sound Signals should be used, but if this is not practicable, either may be used alone.

Signals when Defended Ports are Closed.

136. If a British Defended Port is closed, and entrance is consequently prohibited, 3 Red Vertical Balls by day, or 3 Red Vertical Lights by night, will be exhibited in some conspicuous position.

2. These signals will also be displayed by the vessel (or vessels) charged with the duty of examining merchant shipping desirous of entered the port:-

3 Red Lights or Balls Vertical, denoting that the port is closed

3 White Lights Vertical, denoting that the port is open.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR CERTAIN PORTS

Signals for Ships entering or leaving Dockyard Ports.

137. The following signals are to be used by His Majesty's Ships in the Dockyard Ports of Chatham-Sheerness, Portsmouth, Portland, Plymouth, Pembroke, and Dover, upon occasions when one of His Majesty's Ships intends to pass in our out of the Dockyard port:-

(a) By Day. - "O" Flag (Alphabetical) to be hoisted at the masthead by a ship to indicate that she is about to enter or leave harbour.

(b) "D" Flag to be hoisted at the masthead by other of His Majesty's Ships in the harbour, as a general warning that a Man-of-War is entering or leaving harbour.

(c) By Night. - A Red Light to be hoisted at the masthead by a ship to indicate that she is about to enter or leave harbour.

Position Lights to be shown by the remainder of His Majesty's Ships as a general warning.

Portsmouth, Devonport and Medway.

138. When any seagoing Steamship, Steam Vessel towing, Steam Dredger, or Steam Hopper, finds it unsafe or impracticable to keep out of the way of a Sailing Vessel, or of a boat under oars, sail, or steam, she shall signify the same to the vessel or boat by 4 short blasts on the steam whistle blown in rapid succession.

2. Whenever Steam Vessels within the limit of the Dockyard Port are in risk of collision, they shall, in addition to the signals required by Art. 28 of the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, indicate their own actions as follows:-

(a) If Steaming ahead. - 1 long blast on the Whistle or Siren.

(b) If stopped. - 2 long blasts on the Whistle or Siren.

Dover Harbour.

139. The following signals for regulating the traffic into and out of the Admiralty and Commercial Harbours, Dover, through the Western Entrance, are shown from the Harbour Board Flagstaff which is situated on the Admiralty Pier Extension, at a distance of 400 feet within its outer end:-

2. By Day. - Three Red Balls, in the form of a triangle, will indicate that a vessel is leaving the Harbour or that the entrance is obstructed. No other vessel is to approach so as to obstruct the entrance whilst this signal is shown.

3. Two Red Balls, vertical, will indicate that a vessel is approaching the entrance from seaward, and no vessel is to leave the Harbour.

4. Three Red Balls, vertical, will indicate that the entrance is closed, and vessels cannot enter or leave.

5. A Man-of-War intending to pass in or out by the Eastern Entrance is to hoist the International Signal LSC ("Eastern").

6. When a Man-of-War is entering or leaving either Entrance, she is to hoist "O" flag (alphabetical).

7. Whenever O flag and LSC are displayed at the same time, the former is to be hoisted at the foremast head and the latter at the yardarm.

8. By Night. - Three White Lights, in the form of a triangle, will indicate that a vessel is approaching the Harbour from seaward, and no vessel is to leave the Harbour.

9. Three Red Lights, in the form of a triangle, will indicate that a vessel is leaving the Harbour, or that the entrance is obstructed. No other vessel is to approach so as to obstruct the entrance whilst this signal is shown.

10. Three Red Lights, vertical, will indicate that the entrance is closed, and vessels cannot enter or leave.

11. When no Balls or Lights are shown from the signal mast it will indicate that the entrance is clear both inwards and outwards, but a good look-out must be kept when a vessel is approaching in case the signal is put against her.

12. Whenever other signals that the above are shown from this mast, either by Day or by Night, they will be signals arranged for "Mail Boats," "Vessels of War," or "Liners," and constitute block signals for all other vessels, both inwards and outwards.

13. In bad weather, or in cases of emergency, the above signals will be made from a mast situated about 2,000 feet N. 69º W. from the Harbour Board Flagstaff.

14. A Man-of-War intending to enter the harbour by night should so inform the King's Harbour Master either by W/T or by flashing, specifying the entrance which it is intended to use.

15 When a Man-of-War is entering or leaving by either entrance at night she is to hoist a red light at the masthead.

16 General. - When any Seagoing Steamship, Steam Vessel towing, Steam Dredger, or Steam Hopper, finds it unsafe or impracticable to keep out of the way of a Sailing Vessel or of a boat under oars, sail, or steam, she shall signify the same to the vessel or boat by 4 short blasts on the steam whistle blown in rapid succession.

17. When Men-of-War are entering or leaving Dover Harbour through the Eastern Entrance, the Pilot Jack shall be hoisted on the flagstaff on the Eastern Breakwater by day, or Position Light hoisted by night.

18. Men-of-War should not attempt to enter or leave through the Western Entrance when other Vessels are using, or are about to use, that Entrance (as indicated by signal to the Commercial Harbour Master's flagstaff), except in cases of emergency, when priority of passage shall be given to His Majesty's Vessels.

Torquay.

140. Vessels wishing to enter the harbour by day are to hoist the Pilot Jack; the Coastguard will then inform the Harbour Authorities, who will exhibit one of the following signals on Holden Pier Head:-

Either a Red Square Flag indicating that the entrance is not clear.

Or a White Square Flag indicating that the entrance is clear.

2. Men-of-War wishing to enter the harbour by night, are to communicate with the Coastguard on Daddy Hole Plain, which will inform them by signal when the entrance is clear.

3. A red light will be shown on Holden Pier Head if the entrance is not clear.

4. No vessel is to enter until the White Flag is hoisted by day, or the signal is made from the Coastguard Station by night.

Last Updated: 11 February, 2000.

Return to WWI The Maritime War

Return to WWI Archive main page.