Previously, only navigation lights that had the official blessing of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) were allowed on board. Only those lanterns that had passed the strict tests in the light laboratories in Hamburg's Bernhard-Nocht-Straße received the coveted BSH certificate. Today, in addition to the internationally recognised Wheelmark approval, the national approvals of other countries are also accepted.
For example, a navigation light authorised in Poland can be used on a German pleasure craft without any problems. Provided the Polish approval comes from the recognised national approval body there. We tell you which lights are currently on the market, which manufacturers have which approvals and which institutions are authorised to issue approvals.
Lopo Light:Authorisation in Germany: yes. The Danish manufacturer's product range is divided into two categories, for boats up to 12 metres and up to 50 metres in length. In addition to the classic side, top and stern lights, there is also a choice of two or three-colour lanterns. Depending on the model, the housings are made of aluminium or stainless steel, with the LEDs inside encapsulated in epoxy resin. This makes the designs waterproof. One reason why the Swedish navy, among others, equips its submarines with Lopo Lights luminaires. In addition to the steering wheel and German BSH approval, the devices have the "official blessing" of RINA (Italy), MCA (England) and the USCG (USA). Prices start at 139 euros, and the
In Germany, the product is distributed by Peter Frisch GmbH, Isar-Ring 11, 80805 Munich, Tel. 089-36 50 75, www.lopolight.com
Peters & Bey BluewaterLights:Approval: yes. Some time ago, the long-established Hamburg-based company Peters und Bey bought the East German manufacturer BlueWaterLights - one of the first to obtain BSH approval for its lights. Since then, the LEDs have been marketed under the label "Peters und Bey (P&B) BlueWaterLights". In addition to the German BSH approval, the products in the Type 580 series are also recognised by Germanischer Lloyd (GL) and have a steering wheel approval, meaning that they can also be installed on professionally used pleasure craft. This also applies to the type 780 professional navigation lights.
Information: Peters und Bey, Schnackenburgallee 151, 22525 Hamburg, Tel. 040-547 60 00, www.peters-bey.de.
Hella Marine:Approval in Germany: yes Even though the Group's marine department is based in Auckland, New Zealand, far away from all EU regulations, Hella is right in the thick of things when it comes to design and approvals. All but one of the five LED light series currently on offer are approved by the BSH. Only the "Deckmount" series lacks this rating, but both RINA and the US Coast Guard (USCG) have given their official blessing. According to the latest regulations (see Boote 11/10), these lights would therefore also be permitted on German boats. The Navi-LED-Pro series even has an internationally recognised steering wheel approval and can therefore also be installed on professionally used yachts.
Information: Bukh Bremen, Kornstr. 243, 28201 Bremen, Tel. 0421-53 50 70, www.hellamarine.com
Nasa Marine:Authorisation in Germany: no. The UK-based manufacturer is known for its inexpensive navigation instruments and device series. Its navigation lights, marketed under the name "Supernova", are said to be suitable for boats up to 12 metres in length, but according to the manufacturer, they do not have any approvals valid in the EU. In addition to anchor lights and tricolour lanterns, the classic side and stern lights are also available. These comply with the CE standard for environmental compatibility and are said to be splash-proof to IP 65 and IP 67.
Nasa devices are available in Germany, for example, from Mörer Schiffselektronik, Bäckerstr.18, 21224 Buchholz, Tel. 04181- 974 83. www.nasamarine.com
Mantagua Breizelec:Authorisation in Germany: yes/ no. The supplier, which belongs to the French electronics group Breizelec, specialises in boat lighting of all kinds, both for use above and below deck. This increasingly includes products with LED technology. The navigation lights with these light units are available in three versions, whereby the "Classical" series complies with the COLREG 72 regulations according to the manufacturer and is approved by the Norwegian Bureau Veritas. This means that lights in this product group would be approved in Germany. The other two LED light series, "Competition" and "LED Navigation", do not have this information and are therefore not approved.
Information: Breizelec, Julie Tenier, Tel.0033-298-86 50 36, www.mantagua.fr
Trem Italy:Authorisation in Germany: no: The products of the Italian supplier are offered by Lankhorst Hohorst. The extensive catalogue currently includes the Gemini, Pegaso and Orione LED light series. At least the first product line mentioned is said to be designed in accordance with IMO safety regulations and COLREG 72. There is also a note in the catalogue stating that the Gemini series complies with RINA regulations for boats up to 12 m in length, although this is not equivalent to national or helm approval.
Information: Lankhorst Hohorst, Bonifatiusstr. 411, 48432 Rheine, Tel. 05971-970 70, www.trem.net
Aqua Signal:The Bremen-based company currently has three LED-fuelled product series on the market that have official approval. The designations are "Series 32", "34" and "43". All light sources are said to be characterised by a long service life and maximum load capacity. In addition to the BSH, RINA, the US Coast Guard and Germanischer Lloyd confirm the conformity of the lights. A detailed overview of which Aqua Signal light has which approval and is suitable for which type of boat can be found on the last pages of the catalogue, which can be ordered directly from Aqua Signal, Von-Thuenen-Str. 12 in 28307 Bremen.
Information about the Aqua Signal product range (sports boats) can also be found in the Lindemann catalogue, which can be ordered by calling 040-211 197 0.
K2W Lights:Approval in Germany: yes. The products are identical in construction to the lights from Peters and Bey/BlueWaterLights, they come from the same manufacturer. They are distributed by the company K2W Lights. The lights are approved by the BSH and have an anchor licence for navigation on the Rhine.
Information K2W Lights, Mozartstr. 3, 07607 Eisenberg, Tel. 036691-86 04 78, www.k2wlights.de.
ABBREVIATIONS AND TECHNICAL TERMS
RINA:Registro Italiano Navale. Italian certifier (approval centre).
BSH:Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, official German approval body.
IMO:International Maritime Organisation. Special organisation of the UN based in London.
COLREG 72:International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972.
USCG:United States Coast Guard. US Coast Guard, official licensing authority in the USA.
Bureau Veritas:International ship certifier.
MCA:Maritime and Coastguard Agency, official English licensing authority.
ABYC:American Boat and Yacht Council. Recreational boat certifier in the USA.
MarED:Marine Equipment Directive (steering wheel authorisation).
GL:Germanischer Lloyd. German ship certifier with headquarters in Hamburg.
UL 1104:Underwriters Laboratories, standard for navigation lights.
NATIONAL BODIES WHOSE APPROVALS FOR NAVIGATION LIGHTS ARE RECOGNISED IN GERMANY
Canada:Marine Safety Directorate
China:CCS China Classification Society
Denmark:Danish Maritime Authority
Finland:Finnish Maritime Administration
France:Bureau Veritas S.A.
England:MSA, Marine Safety Agency
Greece:Ministry of Merchant Marine
Iceland:Icelandic Maritime Administration
Italy:Registro Italiano Navale
Japan:Nippon Kaiji Kyokai Material & Equipment
Croatia:Croatian register of Shipping
Netherlands:Directorate-General for Freight Transport, Shipping Inspectorate
Norway:Sjofartsdirektoratet, Norwegian Maritime Directorate
Poland:Polski Rejestr Statkow S.A.
Russia:Russian Maritime Register of Shipping
OFFICIAL BODIES (NOTIFIED BODIES) THAT ARE AUTHORISED TO ISSUE A STEERING WHEEL APPROVAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH MARED
Lloyd's Register(England) ID: 0038
Bureau Veritas(France) ID: 0062
Germanischer Lloyd(Germany) ID: 0098
Qinetiq (UK) ID: 0191
Force (Denmark) ID: 0200
Nemko (Norway) ID: 0470
RINA (Italy) ID: 0474
Det Norske Veritas (Norway) ID: 0575
BSH (Germany) ID: 0735
GL Luxembourg(Luxembourg) ID: 0801
Polish Register of Shipping(Poland) ID: 1463
The ID number is always specified in connection with the steering wheel approval (Wheelmark) and is printed or engraved on the lamp body.
