SIGNAL LIGHT RULES FOR PASSAGE IN MAJOR CANALS
When transiting the world’s major canals and restricted waterways, vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) as the baseline requirement. Canal authorities may impose additional rules regarding searchlights, bridge wing spotlights, steering lights, or auxiliary signals to ensure safe navigation in confined waters. Lopolight’s Navigation Light Control (NLC) system and LED signal lights are designed to meet both COLREGs and these canal-specific requirements, providing redundancy, continuous monitoring, and type-approved illumination for safe passage through Suez, Panama, Kiel, and other major canals.
VESSEL-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE FOR CANAL PASSAGE
Major canals and restricted waterways worldwide each enforce their own navigation light requirements and operational procedures, which can vary depending on local authorities, traffic density, and environmental conditions. In addition, different vessel types—ranging from large ocean-going cargo ships and tankers to smaller coastal or inland vessels—may face specific requirements tailored to their size, maneuverability, or operational profile.
Lopolight recognizes that safe canal transit demands lighting solutions designed for both the waterway and the vessel. Our Navigation Light Control (NLC) system, together with our range of LED navigation and signal lights, delivers reliable, flexible, and type-approved solutions suitable for vessels of all sizes and types. By providing expert guidance and carefully configuring each vessel’s lighting setup, we ensure optimal visibility, enhanced operational safety, and full compliance with the unique requirements of each canal.
INTEGRATED NAVIGATION LIGHT CONTROL FOR RESTRICTED WATERWAYS
Ensuring reliable and compliant navigation lighting for every canal transit.
The Lopolight Navigation Light Control (NLC) system is engineered to provide precise and reliable management of navigation lights during canal transits. This system is essential for vessels navigating confined waterways where adherence to specific lighting protocols is critical for safety and compliance.
The NLC system's design emphasizes redundancy and reliability, featuring dual power supply options and the ability to pair lights for automatic backup. This ensures that in the event of a light failure, a backup light is automatically activated, maintaining the vessel's compliance with canal lighting regulations.
In summary, the Lopolight NLC system offers a comprehensive solution for managing navigation lights during canal passages. Its modular design, advanced monitoring capabilities, and integration options provide vessel operators with the tools necessary to ensure safe and compliant operations in confined waterways.
Designed for scalability, the NLC system accommodates up to 60 navigation lights, allowing for customized configurations to meet the unique requirements of each vessel and its operational profile. The system comprises modular components, including the Lopolight Monitor Relay (LMR/Q), which is type-approved by major classification societies such as ABS and LR. Each relay monitors the functionality, end-of-life status, and current draw of individual lights, ensuring continuous compliance with maritime standards.
Control of the NLC system is facilitated through various interfaces, including robust push-button panels available in configurations of 14, 21, or 28 buttons. These panels feature group buttons for activating predefined light combinations, light pairing for automatic switch-over in case of failure, and both visible and audible alarms to alert the crew to any light or power failures.
For vessels requiring integration with existing bridge systems, the NLC system offers compatibility with multifunction displays (MFDs) through the Lopolight Control Hub. This integration allows for centralized monitoring and control of navigation lights and other equipment, streamlining operations and enhancing situational awareness.
SIGNAL LIGHT CONFIGURATION: FIXED AND HOISTABLE SOLUTIONS
Vessel signal lights can be installed in different configurations depending on the ship’s design and operational requirements. For vessels equipped with a permanent mast, navigation and signal lights can be mounted directly on the mast, providing a robust, always-ready solution for canal transits and other restricted waterway operations. This configuration ensures that all lights are permanently aligned and integrated with the vessel’s control system for immediate use.
For vessels without a permanent mast or for lights that are required only occasionally, Lopolight offers the hoistable light solution. Hoistable lights are delivered complete in a Peli case for secure storage aboard the vessel and are raised only when needed. To maintain a clean aesthetic, the power cable is concealed within the rope chain, which is exceptionally strong and capable of handling loads exceeding 7000 N.
Like all Lopolight products, the hoistable lights are fully potted, waterproof (IP68-rated), and vibration-proof. Each light can be individually controlled for precise operation, either via the Lopolight NLC system or as a standalone setup using a StarConverter and dedicated control panel. The hoistable light chains are custom-sized for each vessel and feature integrated bumpers to protect the vessel during hoisting and operation.
This flexibility allows operators to deploy reliable, compliant signal lights regardless of vessel design, ensuring safe and efficient passage through canals and other confined waterways.
Labelling/Classification
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MENTIONED ZONES CAN BE DESCRIBED LIKE THIS:
Zone 1 is an area that is classified ‘as a place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air or flammable substances in the form of gas, vapours and mists is likely to occur occasionally during normal operation’, whereas Zone 2 is an area that is classified ‘as a place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air or flammable substances in the form of gas, vapours and mists is not likely to occur in normal operation but if it does occur, it will be present for a short period of time only’
ZONE 0. ZONE 1. ZONE 2.
ZONE 0: is an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present continuously for long periods of time or will frequently occur.
ZONE 1: Hazardous area is classified as a place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air or flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally
ZONE 2: An area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation and, if it occurs, will only exist for a short time.
THE LOPOLIGHT IEC Ex/ATEX SOLUTION
The Professional EX Series lights are kept in the exact same form factor as the regular Professional Series, the difference is in the manufacturing; the use of IEC Ex/ATEX certified components such as connectors and cable glands. The marking is IEC Ex/ATEX specific and there is a grounding strap.