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Navigational Lights
Rules of the
Road
According to the Rules of the Road, every ship is required to display
navigational lights. The Quartermaster is responsible for turning on the
ship’s running lights at sunset and during periods of reduced visibility
and for turning them off at sunrise.
Navigational
Light Panel
The ship’s running lights consist of the forward mast light, the after
mast light, the port and starboard side lights, and the stem light. A
typical running light control panel is shown in figure 11-6. Before
turning these lights on, you should test each light by pressing the test
button with all power switches on. Above the test button there are two
indicator lights. Each running light has a primary and a secondary
filament. When you are testing the lights and a red indicator light
comes on, this means the primary filament is burned out, and the light
should be replaced by an Electrician’s Mate. Under most conditions,
you should turn on all of the light switches, leaving the master switch
off. When you are ready to energize the lights at sunset, turn on the
master switch and all the ship’s running lights are energized at the same
time.
Figure 11-6. Running light control panel.
Special Lighting
In addition to being familiar with the normal running light control panel,
Control Panel
the Quartermaster must also be familiar with the operating of the special
lighting control panel. A description of the lights on the special lighting
control panel follows. Refer to figure 11-7.
11-15
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