Light up my RIB

[tue]

What sort of lighting do you guys have on your RIB's.

I was thinking a remote control search light for the 'A'-frame, 2 Work lamps on the front of the console for night travel, and 2 deck spotlights fitted to the 'A'-frame down tubes (see pic) for night diving.

Too much, or any in the wrong place for practical useability?

[Pitkis]

We just fitted our 5,95 m RIBs for night use. I have noted that for example well-commended Atlantic 21 is pretty difficult to operate in dark. You can't see your step and deck is unlit causing danger when loaded. We fitted red deck lightning for 595-class RIBs to cover all deck areas. Side worklight were installed to A-frame in order to give light for in-water operations near tubes. The lights in A-frame can be tilted and turned by hands. I think this kind of like basic lightning is something that every RIB should have and serious users might consider even more lights depending on project.

[Pete7]

Tue, tricky one this. Perhaps if I tell you what I have done wrong it might give you some ideas on things to avoid.

All round white nav light in the middle of the a frame. Hopeless can't see a thing a night time past it as its so bright. Solution not sure perhaps separate bow and stern lights.

Port and Stbd nav lights on A frame, awful. Spray from the tubes makes a direct hit and corrodes everything in sight. Also when the light is on the bulb heats up and when you switch it off the cooling effect draws in moisture. Solution put the light in the middle of the console at the front. I have since moved it slightly higher than the picture. Can't be seen so doesn't blind the driver or navigator at night time. Also lights the front deck.

There are some marine small white lights sealed in a plastic lense which some posh ribs have used to light the deck area. I have a couple and plan to fit at some point in the future. Very low amps and water proof allegedly.

Pete

[tue]

Thanks Pete. Thats some good ideas for my nav lights (which I will take off my frame and move). Do you think seperate Port Starboard light on either side of the console would work just as well? or should I get a combined?

[jwalker]

Combined is not allowed on a motor boat. I agree with Pete re. nav lights. If you travel at night, you need absolute darkness on the boat or you won't get your night eyes. If you can organise the all round white to be shielded by something so as to cast a shadow on the consol, it helps. I mount it right behind the radome and as low as possible.

For deck/frame lights, I use pond lights from B&Q. They're designed to be used under water and are, therefore, completely water tight. They use 12v standard halogen lamps. The wee mouning bracket that comes with them is a bit flimsey but I've not broken any, yet. About £15 each and they come with umpteen meters of cable. You can also buy them in pairs and these are prewired to each other, which saves a chore if you need two of them.

[tue]

Are these the pond lights you mean?

£12.98 each with 6m of cable single
£24.97 each with 6m cable for double lights.

[jwalker]

Yep, that's them.

[Richard B]

And for your port & starbord red & green, you can get LED units which won't produce any heat no bulb to vibrate loose.

Popular on race RIBs I believe

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally posted by jwalker
Combined is not allowed on a motor boat.

Oh yes they are!!!!!!

[simmons0]

I had combined on my last rib and i was assured at time of fitment that is was legal.

[John Kennett]

Now Dirk, you could have been a teeny bit more helpful in your reply couldn't you

Combined side lights are OK, it's the tricolour that only belongs on top of a stick boat.

John

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally posted by John Kennett
Now Dirk, you could have been a teeny bit more helpful in your reply couldn't you
John

Don't be daft, short, sweet and to the point. I can't help it if I'm smarter than some!!!!!

[Dirk Diggler]

If you want to light your dinghy up with low consumption lighting, this is the way to go!

http://www.aqua-marine.co.uk/acatalo...tings_109.html

And pay attention Kennett, questions will be asked later!

[jwalker]

Thanks to Dirk for finding my deliberate mistake and to JK for clarifying the difference between combined sidelights and combined tricolour. Aplogies to Tue also.

However, this prompted me to refresh my knowlege of vessel lighting. Here is part of Rule 23 of the International Regs. for Preventing Collisions at Sea. The omitted bit it for vessels over 12mts. See what you make of this.
------------------------
Rule 23
Power-driven vessels underway
(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:
...... for vessels over 12mts....

(c)
(i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights;

(ii) a power-driven vessel of less than 7 metres in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights;

(iii) the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centreline of the vessel if centreline fitting is not practicable, provided that the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centreline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or the all-round white light.
------------------------------------------

Now, check out (iii) again. It seems to me that, if you displace the all-round white off the centreline and, say, put it on the A-frame you then can ONLY use a combined side light. Further, this combined light must either be at the centre of the vessel or, as near as possible, directly below the white.

That's going to make the 1mtr. vertical separation a bit tricky too.

[Bobaw]

So where does the BLUE light go then?

[Slipstream]

You might consider this ...........LED

[jwalker]

Originally posted by Bobaw
So where does the BLUE light go then?

On top of yer hat.

From what I can glean, a blue light has no legal standing at sea. However, I would like to know if it does.

[Pete7]

Having had my collar felt for speeding at sea I wasn't in any position to ask him if the blue lights and two tone horns were legal or not, more interested in getting away without a visit to the Magistrate. Told him I was from Drivers Wharf so he obviously put me down as another one of that rabble. and let me go.

JW, the surveyor passed her but he did point out that to be legal I would need separate switches so the white light could be lit on its own as an anchor light.

Pete

[Cookee]

Originally posted by Slipstream
You might consider this ...........LED

Waiting approval in Europe so I wouldn't put them on just yet - certainly not on a commercial one!