Unit 4: Signals and Aids to Navigation

Chapter 1: Rules of the Road

Chapter 2: Navigational signals

Chapter 3: Aids to Navigation

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 Chapter 1: Rules of the Road

Introduction
With the accelerated pace of technical and economical development in the shipping
industry, there exists no area inaccessible to modern vessels with the increase in size of
vessels, the chances of accidents have become more especially in areas of highly congested
routes. The International regulation of shipping act is changed periodically by the Inter-
Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO).

Rules of the Road

Internationally agreed-on traffic regulations for ocean waters, a set of customary
practices, especially for the operation of a motor vehicle, boat or aircraft, established to
promote efficiency and safety. Various regulations imposed upon travellers by land or water
for their mutual convenience or safety. Any of the rules making up a code governing ships as
to the lights to be carried the signals to be made and the action of one ship with respect to
another when risk of collision exists.
‘International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea’ or commonly known as
‘Rule of the Road’ are a set of statutes designed to promote navigational safety formed by
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It provides requirements for
navigation lights, day shapes, steering and sailing rules, sound signals in good and restricted
visibility condition and distress signals, among other things
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, was framed in 1972 and
they came to practice only from 1977. In total, there are about 38 rules, of which few are
important as far as fishing vessels are concerned.

There are 38 rules divided into five parts

PART-A: General (Rule No. 1-3)

Rule No. 1 – Application

Rule No. 2 – Responsibility
Rule No. 3 – General definitions

PART-B: Steering and sailing rules (Rule No. 4-19)

SECTION-I Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility:-

Rule No. 4 – Application

Rule No. 5 – Look out
Rule No. 6 – Safe speed
Rule No. 7 – Risk of collision
Rule No. 8 – Action to avoid collision
Rule No. 9 – Narrow channels
Rule No. 10 – Traffic separation scheme

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SECTION-II: Conduct of vessels in sight of one another

Rule No. 11 – Application

Rule No. 12 – Sailing vessels
Rule No. 13 – Overtaking
Rule No. 14– Head-on situation
Rule No. 15 – Crossing situation
Rule No. 16– Action by give-way vessel
Rule No. 17 – Action by stand-on vessel
Rule No. 18 – Responsibility between vessels

SECTION-III: Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

Rule No. 19 – Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility

PART-C: Lights and shapes (Rule No. 20-31)

Rule No. 20 – Application

Rule No. 21- Definitions

This rule gives the definitions for navigational lights, namely

Masthead light – means a white light placed over the fore and aft centreline of the vessel
showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225° and so fixed as to show the
light from right ahead to 22.5 ° abaft the beam on either sides of the vessel.

Side lights – means a green light on the star board side and a red light on the port side each
showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5° and so fixed as to show the
light from right ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on it respective side.

Stern light – means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern sharing an
unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135° and fixed as to show the light 67.5° from
right aft on each side of the vessel.
Towing light- means a yellow light having the same characteristics of the stern light.

All round light – means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of
360°.

Flashing light- means a light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or
more per minutes.

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Rule No. 22 – Visibility of lights (in nautical miles)
This rule specifies the detection range of the navigational lights as per the length of
the vessel.

Length of vessel
Nature of light More than 50m 12- 50 m Less than 12m
Mast head light 6 5 2
Side light 3 2 1
Stern light 3 2 2
Towing light 3 2 2
All round light 3 2 2

Rule No. 23 – Power-driven vessel underway

Rule No. 24 – Towing and pushing
Rule No. 25 – Sailing vessels under way and vessels under oars

Rule No. 26 – Fishing vessels

Fishing vessels are classified into two groups

a) Fishing vessel engaged in trawling

b) Fishing vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling

Fishing vessel engaged in trawling

 She shall exhibit two all-round lights in a vertical line, upper being green and the
lower white.
 It the length is more than 50 m. she shall also exhibit a mast head light above of and
higher than the all-round green light.
 In addition, if making way through water, side lights and stern light shall be exhibited.
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  During day time she shall exhibit two cones apex together in a vertical line where it
can best be seen.

Vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling

 She shall exhibit two all-round light in a vertical line, upper being red and the lower
white
 When the outlying gear is extended more than 150 m. horizontal from the vessel, she
shall exhibit an all-round white light in the direction of the gear.
 When making way through water, she shall exhibit two black cones apexes together,
in a vertical line, where it can best be seen.
 To indicate the outlaying gear by day, she shall exhibit a cone apex upwards in the
direction of the gear

A vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other fishing vessel may in addition,
exhibit the following signals

Vessel engaged in trawling:

I. When shooting her nets, she shall exhibit two all-round white lights in a
vertical line, and by day shall exhibit international code flag “Z” (ZULU).
II. When hauling her nets, shall exhibit one all-round white light over one all-
round red light. By day, she shall exhibit international code flag “G” (GOLF).
III. When the net has come fast upon an obstruction, the vessel shall exhibit two
all round red light in a vertical line. By day, she shall exhibit international
code flag “P” (PAPA)

Vessel engaged in pair trawling:

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In addition to the above lights, by night, a search light shall be directed forward and in the
direction of the other vessel of the pair.

Vessel engaged in purse seining:

She shall exhibit two all-round yellow lights in a vertical line which shall flash alternatively
every second

Rule No. 27 – Vessels Not Under Command (NUC) or Restricted in their Ability to
Manoeuvre (RAM)
Rule No. 28 – Vessels constrained by their draught
Rule No. 29 – Pilot vessels
Rule No. 30 – Anchored vessels and vessels aground
Rule No. 31 – Seaplanes

PART-D: Sound and light signals (Rule No. 32-37)

Rule No. 32 – Definitions

Rule No. 33 – Equipments for sound signals
Rule No. 34 – Manoeuvring and warning signals
Rule No. 35 – Sound signals in restricted visibility
Rule No. 36 – Signals to attract attention
Rule No. 37 – Distress signals

PART-E: Exemptions (Rule No. 38)

Rule No. 38 – Exemptions

Chapter 2: Navigational signals

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Signals
Signals are means of communication of a piece of information by an action, gesture,
or sign. Signals are used to convey or transmit a message to others. The basic principles of
Code is that each signal should have a complete meaning and this principle is followed
throughout the Code

International Code of Signals (ICS)

In January 1959, the first assembly of International Maritime Organization (IMO)
decided that the organization should assume all the functions being performed by the
standing committee of International Code of Signals. The code was adopted by the
4thAssembly of IMO in 1965. The basic principle of Code is that each signal should have a
complete meaning and this principle is followed throughout the Code.

Purpose of ICS
 To provide ways and measures of communication in situations related essentially to
safety of navigation and persons especially when language difficulties arise.
 In the case of radio telephony and radio telegraphy, which provide simple and
effective means of communication in plain language, where there is no language
difficulties.

Some Important Terminologies Used in Signalling:

Visual signalling is any method of communication the transmission of which is capable of
being seen.

Sound signalling is any method of passing Morse signals by means of siren, whistle,
foghorn, bell, or other sound apparatus.

Originator is the authority who orders a signal to be sent.

Identify signal or call sign is the group of letters and figures assigned to each station by its
administration.

Station means a ship, air craft, survival craft or any place at which communication can be
effected by any means.

Addressee is the authority to whom a signal is addressed.

Group denotes more than one letter or numeral which together composes a signal.

Numerical group consists of one or more numerals.

Methods of Signalling
1. Flag signalling
2. Flashing light signalling
3. Sound signalling
4. Radio telegraphy & telephony
1. Flag Signalling

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 Signal flags are used to communicate the messages. A set of signal flags consists of
twenty six alphabetical flags, ten numerical pennants, three substitutes and an answering
pennant.
As a general rule only one hoist should be shown at a time. Each hoist or group of
hoists should be kept flying until it has been answered by the receiving station.

2. Flashing Light Signalling

Specially prepared flashing lights are used for the signals at sea. Flash lights are used
only during night hours. Most of the signal lights are unidirectional. In selecting a flashlight,
ensure that it is water resistant and that it is designed to withstand shocks and also seals out
moisture.

3. Sound Signalling

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 Sound producing apparatus such as whistle, siren and fog horn are used for sound
signalling at sea. Sound signalling is required at the time of restricted visibility. The signals
should be made slowly and clearly. They may be repeated, if necessary, but at sufficiently
long intervals to ensure that no confusion can arise.

4. Radio telegraphy/telephony

Message transmission through radiotelephone is used only when there are no

language difficulties. When radiotelegraphy or radiotelephony is used for the transmission of
signals, operators should comply with the Radio Regulations of the International
Telecommunication Union .Plain language should be used for easy understanding. Letters
and figures are to be spelt in accordance with spelling table.
E.g:
DE – Delta Echo
AA - Alfa Alfa
BN – Bravo November
WB – Whiskey Bravo

Distress Transmitting Procedures

We can send the distress message through radiotelephone when we are looking for
immediate assistance. 2182 khz and 500 khz are the general calling and reply to call
frequencies in the marine band and telegraphy band respectively.

Following is the standard format for sending distress message through radiotelephone

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1. Tune the radiotelephone to frequency 156.8 MHz.
2. If possible, transmit the ALARM SIGNAL (i.e. two-tone signal) for 30 seconds to one
minute, but do not delays the message if there is insufficient time in which to transmit the
Alarm signal.
3. Send the following DISTRESS CALL.
Mayday Mayday Mayday. This is …… (Name or call sign of ship spoken three times)
4. Then send the DISTRESS MESSAGE composed of:

Mayday followed by the name or call sign of ship

Position of ship
Nature of distress
And, if necessary, transmit the nature of the aid required and any other information which
will help the rescue.
Wait for any reply message, if there is no reply repeat the procedure once again and till you
get any response from port or any vessel.

Distress Signals
Distress means extreme pain or great danger or difficulty, with a need for immediate
assistance. A distress signal is an internationally recognized means for obtaining help.
Distress signals are commonly made by using radio signals, displaying a visually detected
item or illumination, or making an audible sound, from a distance. A distress signal indicates
that a person or group of people, ship, aircraft or other vehicle is threatened by grave and
imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

Whenever a vessel is in distress she shall exhibit any of the following, which indicate
that she is in distress and requires immediate assistance. Only the signals which are normally
possible in the fishing vessel are mentioned here.

BY DAY

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 1. A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute.
2. The International code signal of distress indicated by NC (NC = I am in distress and
require immediate assistance).
3. A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything
resembling a ball.
4. Continuous soundings or any fog signalling apparatus.
5. Radiotelephone signal consisting of the spoken word “MAY DAY” (Maidez – French
word – meaning- come and help).
6. The signal SOS made by radiotelegraphy (Save our Soul).
7. Orange Distress Flag.
8. Radio telephone or telegraph alarm signal (12 dashes/min).
9. Slowly and repeatedly rising and lowering of arms outstretched on either side
10. Signals transmitted by emergency position indicating radio beacons.

BY NIGHT

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 1. Rockets or shells throwing red stars
2. Flames on the vessel as from as burning tar barrel, oil barrel etc
3. Rocket parachute or hand flare showing a red star
4. Orange coloured smoke signal

The use of any of the above signal except for the purpose indicating distress and the need
of assistance is prohibited. Whoever commits a breach of the above rule is liable for a fine
upto Rs. 1000/-.Distress signals are to be used only upon master’s orders. The signals must be
revoked if assistance is no longer required.
The above factors should be carefully kept in mind and implemented such that fishing
operation shall be more safe and thereby prevent avoidable loss of life and property at sea.

Storm Signals
The meteorological department sends storm warnings (by mean of high priority
telegrams) to port officers whose ports are likely to be affected by adverse weather.
Port officers display visual storm signals, on conspicuous masts specially meant for
this purpose. The signals consist of black coloured cones and cylinders by day and of red and
white lights by night. The port officers also send word to fishing vessels and country craft in
their respective ports.

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 Chapter 3: Aids to Navigation

Aids to Navigation
The term “aid to navigation” means any object or device, external to a vessel, that is
intended to assist a navigator in fixing his position or determining a safe course past hazards
to navigation. It includes both fixed and floating objects such as lights, light ships, buoys, day
beacons, and fog signals, plus electronic aids to navigation such as radio beacons.
Navigational aids take a wide variety of forms, some are very simple unmanned objects, and
others are complex and costly devices sometimes with operating crews in attendance. All
serve the same goal – the safety of vessels and those on board. Aids to navigation are put at
various points along the coasts and navigable waterways as markers and guides to help
mariners determine their position. They also serve to warn of hidden dangers and assist in
making landfall when approaching from the high seas.

Buoys
Buoys are floating objects heavily anchored to the bottom that are intended to convey
information to a navigator by their shape and colour, by the characteristics of a visible or
audible signal or a combination of two or more such features. Buoys are perhaps the largest
category of aids of navigation and come in many shapes and sizes. Buoys detection at night;
these reflect brightly in the beam of a vessel’s searchlight. Many buoys have radar
reflections.

Types of Buoys
There are several types of buoys, each type designed to meet the requirements of
certain specific conditions. All buoys serve as guides during day light, those having lights are
also available for navigation at night, and those having sound signals are more readily located
in times of fog or other conditions of reduced visibility.

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 The following are the principal types of buoys
1. Can buoy:
The shape of can buoys is cylindrical. A buoy of steel plates with the portion above
water having the shape of a tin can, flat on top when seen from a distance.

2. Nun buoy:
The shape of nun buoys is conical. A buoy built of steel plates with the portion above
water terminating in a cone with a rounded tip.

3. Lighted buoy:
These carry batteries or gas tanks and are surmounted by a framework supporting a
light. A steel float on which is mounted a shore skeleton tower at the top of which a light
is placed. A set of electric batteries (or other sources of power) which operate the light, is
placed in the body of the buoy.

4. Bell buoy:
These have flat tops, surmounted by a framework supporting a bell. Older bell buoys
are sounded by the motion of the sea. Newer types are operated automatically by
compressed gas or electricity. A steel float topped with a short skeleton tower in which
there is a bell fixed with several clappers-usually four- hung externally so that they will
strike the bell as it rocks with the motion of the sea. A few shore stations and fixed aids to
navigation have bells that are sounded by mechanical means, but at most locations these
have been replaced by electrically operated horns.

5. Gong buoy:
These are similar to bell buoys except that they have a series of gongs, each with a
different tone. Generally similar in construction to a bell buoy except that rather than a
bell it has several, usually four, gongs mounted in a vertical stack, each of which sounds a
different note; each gong has its own clapper of a length so as to strike only that going.

6. Whistle buoy:
These are similar to bell buoys except they carry a whistle sounded by the sea’s
motion or horns that are sounded at regular intervals by mechanical or electrical means.

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Maritime Buoyage System
Several buoyage systems of more than 30 different types were used all over the world
until 1976. These buoyage systems were of conflicting nature, and hence mariners were
confused, resulting so many accidents. Hence a necessity of a uniform buoyage system
became highly essential, which can be easily understood by the mariners.
In 1965 International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) was set up and
International technical committee was formed to examine the problem and suggest a solution.
Two systems were formulated “System -A and System- B” . In 1976, the rules for “system-
A” was finalised and was agreed by ‘Inter Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation
(IMCO)’. The introduction of this system started in 1977 and it gradually came in use
throughout Europe, Australia, Newzealand, Africa, Gulf and some Asian countries including
India.
The rules for ‘system-B’ were completed in early 1980 and this system was used by
countries like North, Central and South America, Japan, Korea and Philippines. The system
A and B have changes only in the lateral system/marks. The rules for the two systems ate
known as “The IALA Maritime buoyage system”.

IALA System-Region A-General Principles

This applies to all fixed and floating marks other than light houses, sector light,
leading light and marks, light vessels and LAMBYS (Larger automated navigation buoy used
in place of a light vessel). In this system, there are five types of marks, which a navigator can
easily identify. Even though the lateral marks differ for region A and B, the other four types
of marks are common for region A and B.

1. Lateral marks
They are generally used for well defined channels and they indicate the port and
starboard sides of the routed to be followed. It also indicates the preferred channel,
where a channel divides

LATERAL MARK (PORT BUOY)

Shape- can, pillar or spar
Top mark- Single red can
Colour-Red
Light-Red

Port hand buoy means the buoy on that side of the channel which lies to the left hand
side of the navigator when entering harbour, estuary or river from seaward.

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 LATERAL MARK (STRABOARD BUOY)
Shape- conical, pillar or spar
Top mark- Single green cone pointing upward
Colour- Green
Light-Green

Starboard hand buoy means the buoy, on that side of the channel which lies to the
right hand side of the navigator when entering harbour, estuary or river from seaward.

2. Isolated danger marks

Shape- Pillar or spar
Top mark-Two black spheres one above the other
Colour- black with one or more red horizontal bands
Light- White

An Isolated danger mark is erected on or moored on or above an isolated danger of

limited extent which has navigable water all around it. On the chart the centre of the
symbol or sounding indicating area of danger may be slightly displaced and hence
care should be taken. A navigator should avoid that particular area of marked danger
whereas all the surrounding areas are navigable.

3. Safe water marks

Shape- Spherical, Pillar or spar
Top mark- Single red sphere
Colour- Red and white vertical strips
Light- White

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 Safe water marks are used to indicate that there is navigable water all around the
mark. Such marks may be used to indicate mid channel, land fall mark or fair way
buoys etc. This is the only buoy having vertical strips.

4. Special marks
Shape- Optional
Top mark- Single Yellow ‘X’ shape
Colour- Yellow
Light- Yellow

Special marks are not primarily intended to assist navigation. But they are used to indicate a
special area or feature whose nature may be apparent from referring a chart, sailing directions
or notices to mariners. The uses of the special marks are to indicate
 Ocean Data Acquisition System (ODAS) marks i.e. buoys carrying oceanographic or
meteorological sensors
 Traffic separation marks where the conventional channel marking may cause a
confusion
 Spoil ground marks
 Military exercise zone
 Cable or pipeline marks including outfall pipes
 Recreation zone marks

5. Cardinal marks
Cardinal mark is used to indicate where the mariner may find the best navigable
water. The deepest water in the area is to the named side of the mark. A mariner is safe if
he passes North of North Cardinal mark, East of East Cardinal mark, South of South
Cardinal mark and West of West Cardinal mark.
A mariner is definitely safe to pass the named side of the buoy but it does not mean
that all the other three side are unsafe. He may have to consult a chart to confirm any
other side or sides are safe.

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 A. North cardinal mark
Shape- Pillar or spar
Top mark-Two black cones one above the other points upward
Colour-Black above yellow (black-yellow)
Light- White

It indicates that safe navigable water lies to the north of this mark. Therefore a navigator
should pass north of North Cardinal mark

B. East cardinal marks

Shape- Pillar or spar
Top mark-Two black cones one above the other base to base
Colour-Black with single broad horizontal yellow band (black-yellow-black)
Light- White

It indicates that safe navigable water lies to east of this mark and hence a mariner should keep
east of East Cardinal mark.

C. South cardinal mark

Shape- Pillar or spar
Top mark-Two black cones one above the other pointing downwards
Colour- yellow above black (yellow-black)
Light- White

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It indicates that the safe navigable water lies to south of this mark and hence a mariner should
pass South of South Cardinal mark.

D. West cardinal mark

Shape- Pillar or spar
Top mark-Two black cones one above the other point to point
Colour- yellow with single broad horizontal black band (yellow-black-yellow)
Light- White

It indicates that safe navigable water is available to west of this mark and hence navigator
should keep west of the West Cardinal mark.

New danger marks

A new danger is a newly discovered hazard to navigation that is not yet indicated on
charts or Sailing Directions and has not been sufficiently published in Notices to Mariners.
This situation arises with newly discovered natural dangers such as rocks or banks but is
mainly used to mark recent wrecks. The new buoys will be blue and yellow vertical stripes
with an alternating blue and yellow light.

The emergency wreck marking buoy will remain in position until:

a) The wreck is well known and has been promulgated in nautical publications
b) The wreck has been fully surveyed and exact details such as position and least depth
above the wreck are known
c) A permanent form of marking of the wreck has been carried out.

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Lighthouse

Light house is one of the important lighted navigational aid is placed in a height with
powerful light to assist the navigator or wherever a danger requires a warning. Light houses
are placed where they will be of most use, on prominent headlands, at entrances, on isolated
dangers, or at other points where it is necessary that mariners by warned or guided. Their
principal purpose is to support a light at a considerable height above the water. Visibility of a
light increases with height of the beacon above the sea level. A lighthouse can also be used
for keeping fog-signalling and radio beacon equipment. In earlier days lights were operated
by keepers are now fully automatic with timers.
.
Lightships

Light ships are established to serve the same purpose as light house, being equipped
with lights, fog signals and used only when it is impossible to construct a light house at the
desired position. Light ships mark the entrances to harbours or estuaries, dangerous shoals
lying in much frequented waters. Maintenance cost is very high for Light ships when
compare to light house. Light ship is a specially designed vessel, anchored in a precisely
determined position, equipped with a high intensity light of specified characteristics and
usually with other supporting aids to navigation as well. Now these light ships a replaced by
large navigational buoys, due to high maintenance cost.

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DAY BEACONS

In shallow waters, day beacons are often used instead of buoys, because they are less
expensive to maintain. Normally, day beacons are unlighted. These are single piles or
multiple-pile structures driven into bottom, on which are placed one or more signboards
called “day marks” which convey information through their colour, shape, and lettering or
numbers. Day beacons, like lighthouses and light structures, usually are coloured to
distinguish them from their surroundings and make them easy to identify. Day marks
normally have reflective material as part of their design.

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