About Ship Lights
Ship Navigation Lights
"Masthead Light" is a ship's forward facing white light with a horizontal arc of 225 degrees. This is the most powerful light with a range of 6 miles on large ships.
"Side Lights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing horizontal arc of 112.5 degrees right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft of beam. Both of these lights together match the dispersion of the Masthead Light.
"Stern Light" is a ship's rearward facing white light with a horizontal arc of 135 degrees.
"All-Round Light" is generally a white, red or green light with 360 degrees of horizontal dispersion. An all-round light displayed either by itself or in combination with other all-round lights will indicate some of the following conditions: A vessel under command, A vessel at anchor, A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, A vessel aground.
Ship Non Navigational Lights
"Bulkhead Light"refers to any light mounted to any interior wall of a ship.
"Passageway light" is the same as a bulkhead light.
"Ceiling Light" is any light mounted on the ceiling. Some lights can be mounted either on the ceiling or bulkhead.
"Cargo Hold Lights" are often referred to as Fox lights are used to light cargo holds and deck areas.