Failed my courtsey inspection

[SCORPIO]

The CG AUX was doing inspections in the marina on Sunday and I had the guy come over and do mine. I get one every year, usually from the Power Squadron. I've always passed. This time, my anchor/masthead light wouldn't work so I have to fix that and get the inspection completed. I'd like to replace the dual "double ended" bulb type light with an LED light fixture. Has anybody found a LED mast head light anywhere? If so, where and who makes them? I need the kind with two lights in one fixture, all around light and running light.

 

[katricol]

You failed your inspection and now you want help/advise ?? FORGET IT!! (just kidding). You really don't need a new light fixture as there are led replacement bulbs avail. at WM as well as on line....super brightleds.com, sailorsams.com etc. I bet if you contact the owner of this site (as I do), Jim at BOE marine has them as well

 

[tobnpr]

Said it before on other threads...nav lights have a requirement for 2 nm visibility and are required to be USCG certified. Odds are that the $5 LED replacement bulb you buy online isn't going to be adequate.
IMO it's best to just pony up the $$ to get a certified LED nav light.

Hey, it's a free country, right? But it's just incorrect to state on this forum that it's "OK" to just swap out a incandescent bulb for an LED in a nav light- it's not OK...

§ 183.810 Navigation light certification requirements.
top
(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, each navigation light must—

(1) Meet the technical standards of the applicable Navigation Rules;

(2) Be certified by a laboratory listed by the Coast Guard to the standards of ABYC A–16 (incorporated by reference, see §183.5) or equivalent, although portable battery-powered lights need only meet the requirements of the standard applicable to them; and

(3) Bear a permanent and indelible label that is visible without removing or disassembling the light and that states the following:

(i) “USCG Approval 33 CFR 183.810.”

(ii) “MEETS___.” (Insert the identification name or number of the standard under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, to which the laboratory type-tested.)

(iii) “TESTED BY___.” (Insert the name or registered certification-mark of the laboratory listed by the Coast Guard that tested the fixture to the standard under paragraph (a)(2) of this section.)

(iv) Name of manufacturer.

(v) Number of model.

(vi) Visibility of the light in nautical miles.

(vii) Date on which the light was type-tested.

(viii) Identification and specifications of the bulb used in the compliance test.

(b) If a light is too small to attach the required label—

(1) Place the information from the label in or on the package that contains the light; and

(2) Mark each light “USCG” followed by the certified range of visibility in nautical miles (nm), for example, “USCG 2nm”. Once installed, this mark must be visible without removing the light.

Subpart N [Reserved]

 

[sbw1]

The CG AUX was doing inspections in the marina on Sunday and I had the guy come over and do mine. I get one every year, usually from the Power Squadron. I've always passed. This time, my anchor/masthead light wouldn't work so I have to fix that and get the inspection completed. I'd like to replace the dual "double ended" bulb type light with an LED light fixture. Has anybody found a LED mast head light anywhere? If so, where and who makes them? I need the kind with two lights in one fixture, all around light and running light.

I tried to go to a LED for the same light as my bulb kept burning out. Long story short, the service department at my storage marina was unable to locate a LED that would fit into the available fixtures. I ended up replacing the light fixture which was defective and caused the bulbs to fail. Still think a LED would be a good way to go.

 

[katricol]

The led replacement I was talking about is $19.00 on line, not $5.00. I do NOT condone changing to led, however it does make sense to a lot of people because of less draw on the batts. I don't know 100% (but the sites owners will) I think these lites meet the 2 nm req'ment. Although no coastie I have ever met knows the regs to this extent, I will say that EVERY marine attorney will ! Maybe ok..maybe not. buyer beware

 

[Nacho Boat]

I am a vessel examiner for the USPS. I can honestly tell you that if your navigation light turns on, you will pass that part of the exam.

I have put some LED's on my boat. In some areas, I really have liked the LED's, and in some spots, I am not happy with the light coverage. I don't think I would LED lights in my navigation lights, but that is just my personal preference.

 

[SCORPIO]

I wanted to replace the fixture with an approved LED fixture to eliminate the bulb replacement and mositure problems. Problem is, I can't find any approved LED fixtures. Looks like I'll be replacing with the same style as is currently installed.

 

[Gunn]

Said it before on other threads...nav lights have a requirement for 2 nm visibility and are required to be USCG certified.

I am a vessel examiner for the USPS. I can honestly tell you that if your navigation light turns on, you will pass that part of the exam.

I really didn't think it could be possibe to measure a 2 nm visibility requirement during an inspection...especially in daylight...

 

[sbw1]

Nav lights become an issue when there is an accident. One part of the investigation is to examine whether the vessels were displaying proper lights. So......I suppose there could be liability apportioned to vessels with improper operating characteristics. Some company should have its LEDs certified. Better mousetrap.

 

[chumbley]

I self-inspected my lights (as I always do) before a night run last Friday night. And my anchor light was out as well. Seems to be a repeat problem. So let me know if you find something - as I too would like to go to LED here.

BTW, the local enforcement here pulled me over for a safety inspection later that night. Passed. Can't for the life of me figure out why they would tag a 34 cruiser with 8 over-50 adults on board while go-fast boats and wakeboard boats were all around us. Oh, wait. That would be profiling wouldn't it.

 

[Nacho Boat]

BTW, the local enforcement here pulled me over for a safety inspection later that night. Passed. Can't for the life of me figure out why they would tag a 34 cruiser with 8 over-50 adults on board while go-fast boats and wakeboard boats were all around us. Oh, wait. That would be profiling wouldn't it.

I would be willing to bet that the local law enforcement was looking to get in some air conditioned space for a while. It gets hot out on the water in those "little" boats.

 

[fwebster]

I really didn't think it could be possibe to measure a 2 nm visibility requirement during an inspection...especially in daylight...

Maybe not and you might skate by, but will you feel the same way if a freighter or a tug pushing a tow fails to see your dim light and runs over your a$$?

 

[wvsundancer]

my masthead light is always burning out.. I always carry two spares onboard and check it before any nightime travel.. several 280 and 300DA's on our dock have the same problem

 

[tobnpr]

I wanted to replace the fixture with an approved LED fixture to eliminate the bulb replacement and mositure problems. Problem is, I can't find any approved LED fixtures. Looks like I'll be replacing with the same style as is currently installed.

No problem with availability:
http://www.yachtlights.com/cat--LED-Navigation-Lights--led-navigation

Defender also has a large selection:
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|65136&id=739053


I replaced my red/green with LED, I got tired of the corrosion on the festoon bases...
They are obviously quite a bit more expensive due to the brightness of the LED required for the 2 or 3 mile visibility requirement, but should last the life of the boat. At $50 and up per light, it's not like they're going to break the budget- and you know you're in compliance and can be seen adequately at night.

 

[Nehalennia]

Perko offers LED USCG approved navigation lights.
http://perko.com/

 

[sbw1]

Most of us are looking for LEDs that will work and still look like OEM supplied lighting. These products may be fine but look a little funky on newer boats.