GB2393843A

GB2393843A - High visibility aid for water borne vessels.

Info

Publication number: GB2393843A
Application number: GB0316853A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Paul Daniel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-07-20
Filing date: 2003-07-18
Publication date: 2004-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-18
Also published as: GB0216923D0; GB0316853D0; GB2393843B

Abstract

A high visibilty aid for water borne vessels comprises at least two substantially planar elements for attachment to either side of the vessel. The elements have means for producing a non-electrically powered illuminated display which is coloured to indicate which side of the vessel the element is attached. The non-electrically powered illuminated display may be achieved by reflective means, light absorbing / emitting means or chemiluminescent means. The planar elements may also include indicia to eneable the vessel to be identified, e.g. they may be in the form of nameplates.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Background and Disadvantages

The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 require the display of a red light to Port ( left hand-side of boat) and a Green light to Starboard ( right hand side) [ for craft over a certain length] This is to aid visibility in the hours of darkness and the colour of the light displayed will not only add to the conspicuity of the vessels existence, but discern to other vessels the direction in which the vessel is heading. ( This has obvious navigational implications for alternating course to avoid a collision) Interestingly, in conditions of poor or restricted visibility, ( e.g. fog) there are no nautical lighting requirements such as those that apply to road vehicles. Instead, sound signals are required. However at night and in poor visibility, together with circumstances such as anchorage in a bay / coastal region, additional reflectivity is an advantage for navigation and identification.

Advantages Currently the norm for Sailing and Motor vessels, in additions to the obligatory red and green light mounted to the bow of the craft, it is customary to have the name of the vessel printed or affixed to the port and starboard bow.

The intention of utilising non-electric light emitting / reflective signs that incorporate the crafts name together with the additional navigational conspicuity, adds to the visibility required by the existing marine regulations.

Summary of Benefits

The benefits of added navigational conspicuity are conducive to the prevention of collision at sea. A parallel can be drawn with the utilisation of reflective markers on road traffic emergency service vehicles, i.e. Long vehicle chevrons or emergency service vehicle markings for added visibility in hazardous circumstances.

The incorporation of the crafts name in a navigational reflective sign achieves added visibility with marine safety that incorporated the vessels identity.

Detailed Description.

The nautical reflective lighting effect is to be achieved by one ofthree methods; I) Reflective material, such as glass bead 'Scotch-lite' type or other brand material, In Red on the Port ( left-hand) side of the craft with silver / or white lettering bearing the vessels name ( identity) and In Green on the Starboard ( right-hand side)... as above 2) Solar absorbing / emitting material that displays the above described in I) above.

3) Chemiluminescent strips for display on a vessel during; A) Poor visibility and / or B) The event of electric failure of Navigational lighting.

These signs would be rectangular in Red on the port side and Green on starboard.

Dimensions would be various to suit boat length. They would be mounted on the guard rail and pulpit by means of fastenings as depicted on Drawing3.

The chemiluminescent sign would be operated by a switching device that activates the chemicals ( See Drawing])

Claims

1. A visibility aid for water borne vessels, comprising at least two substantially planar elements for attachment in use to either side of a water borne vessel, the at least two substantially planar elements have means for producing a non-electrically powered illuminated display, the illuminated display being of an appropriate colour to indicate in use to which side of the water borne vessel each of the at least two substantially planar elements are attached.

2. A visibility aid for water borne vessels as claimed in claim 1, where the non-electrically powered illuminated display is produced by a reflective means.

3. A visibility aid for water borne vessels as claimed in claim 1, where the non-electrically powered illuminated display is produced by a solar absorbing / emitting means.

4. A visibility aid for water borne vessels as claimed in claim 1, where the non-electrically powered illuminated display is produced by a chemiluminescent means.

5. A visibility aid for water borne vessels as claimed in any previous claim, where the at least two substantially planar elements also include thereon indicia to enable the water borne vessel to be identified.