REFERENCE INFORMATION
No. 1
Lights Main message
Serious emergency. All vessels to stop or divert according to instructions.
International port traffic signals 2
Vessels shall not proceed (Note: some ports may use an exemption signal, as in 2a below).
The international system is gradually being introduced, but its general adoption is likely to take many years.
3
Vessels may proceed. One-way traffic.
(a) The main movement message given by a port traffic signal always comprises three lights, disposed vertically. No additional light shall be added to the column carrying the main message. The fact that the main message always consists of three vertical lights allows the mariner to recognise it as a traffic signal, and not lights of navigational significance. The signals may also be used to control traffic at locks and bridges.
(b) Red lights indicate ‘Do not proceed.’ 4
Vessels may proceed. Two-way traffic.
(c) Green lights indicate ‘Proceed, subject to the conditions stipulated’. Note that, to avoid confusion, red and green lights are never displayed together.
(d) Some signals may be omni-directional – i.e. exhibited to all vessels simultaneously: others must be directional, and be shown either to vessels entering or to vessels leaving harbour.
5
A vessel may proceed only when she has received specific orders to do so (Note: some ports may use an exemption signal, as in 5a below).
Exemption signals and messages
2a
Vessels shall not proceed, except that vessels which navigate outside the main channel need not comply with the main message.
5a
A vessel may proceed when she has received specific orders to do so, except that vessels which navigate outside the main channel need not comply with the main message.
Auxiliary signals and messages
White and/or yellow lights displayed to
the right of the main lights.
Local meanings, as promulgated in local port orders.
3
(e) The ‘Serious Emergency’ signal must be flashing, at least 60 flashes per minute. All other signals must be either fixed or slow occulting (the latter is useful when background glare is a problem). A mixture of fixed and occulting lights must not be used.
(f) Signal no. 5 is based on the assumption that another means of communication such as VHF radio, signal lamp, loud-hailer, or auxiliary signal will be used to inform a vessel that she may specifically proceed.
(g) A single yellow light, displayed to the left of the column carrying main messages nos 2 or 5, at the level of the upper light, may be used to indicate that ‘Vessels which can safely navigate outside the main channel need not comply with the main message.’ This signal, as shown at nos. 2a and 5a, is of obvious significance to sailors.
(h) Signals which are auxiliary to the main message may be devised by local authorities. Such auxiliary signals should employ only white and/or yellow lights, and should be displayed to the right of the column carrying the main message. Ports with complex entrances and much traffic may need many auxiliary signals, which will have to be documented. Smaller harbours with less traffic may only need one or two of the basic signals, such as nos 2 and 4.
Fixed or Slow Occulting
Fixed or Slow Occulting
Flashing
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