U NDERSTANDING

100

th

Year Anniversary Edition - 1907 to 2007

N AVIGATION L IGHT C ERTIFICATIONS

All U.S.registered vessels are subject to either the ’72 COLREGS or the U.S.inland rules.Effective 11/1/03,boat lights must meet one of3 types ofcertifications depending on the size ofthe vessel and the date it was manufactured.

L L

A A R R G G E E

B B

O O A A T T S S

O O

V V E E R R

2 2 M M

E E T T E E R R S S

( ( 6 6 5 5 . . 6 6

F F T T

. . ) )

The U.S.Coast Guard is accepting lights that have passed the UL tests (UL Standard 1104) as meeting the ’72 COLREGS and the U.S.Inland Rules for vessels over 20 meters (65.6 ft.).As the first domestic manufacturer to pass UL 1104,PERKO’s lights can be installed on vessels over 20 meters (65.6 ft.).PERKO manufactures two sizes oflights for the large boat market.The first group oflights is for vessels between 20 meters and 50 meters. The second group includes larger lights and is for vessels over 20 meters (without an upper limit on length).A brass tag is permanently affixed to the light indicating the type oflight,catalog number,voltage and bulb typeto install to meet the visibility requirements.It also states that the light is classified by UL in accordance with the ’72 COLREGS.This is the only documentation needed by a vessel in this size range for sailing lights to certify light construction compliance with the ’72 COLREGS and the U.S.Inland rules.

ENGTH L IN .) FT (65.6

S S

M M A A L L L L

B B

O O A A T T S S
(1)

U U

N N D D E E R R

2 2 M M

E E T T E E R R S S

( ( 6 6 5 5 . . 6 6 F F

T T

. . ) )

M

U.S.requirements for smaller vessels are less strict and they differ depending on when the boat was built.

20

S S

M M A A L L L L

B B

O O A A T T S S

B B

U U I I L L T T

B B

E E F F O O R R E E

1 1 1 1 / / 1 1 / / 3 3

Lights for these boat boats must be manufactured in accordance with the American Boat and yatch Council (A.B.Y.C.) Standard A-16.The primary means ofcertification recognized in the United States for lights for these boats is through the National Marine Manufacturers’Association (NMMA) certification procedure.USCG approved lights,as described below,are also approved for these applications.All PERKO small boat lights designed for use on boats built before 11/1/03 are certified under this NMMA Certification Procedure.All lights certified under this procedure are required to permanently carry the mark "A-16" visibly displayed when the light is installed.

NDER U ESSELS V

A-16 MARKING

IGHTSFOR L

S S

M M A A L L L L

B B

O O A A T T S S

B B

U U I I L L T T

A A

F F T T E E R R

1 1 1 1 / / 1 1 / / 3 3

The only recognized means ofcertification oflights for these boats is the USCG approval system.This system uses independent,3rd party USCG approved labs to conduct some ofthe tests required for the A-16 certification.On all USCG approved lights,the permanent marking USCG 1nm,USCG 2nm or USCG 3nm (depending on whether the light is a 1-mile,2-mile or 3-mile light) must be visible when the light is installed.Note that certifications may vary with voltage (e.g.USCG approved for 12-volt and A-16 certified for 24-volt).

AVIGATION N

USCG 2nmMARKING

(1) Does not apply to vessels under 7 meters which are not powered 17