MSC 69/20/4

.4　　　Lights

Though the present regulations permit a sailing vessel of less than 20m in length underway to exhibit a white, red and green light combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast the regulations do not permit a sailing vessel propelled by machinery to do that. The reason is clearly that conduct of sailing vessels and conduct of power-driven vessels are regulated respectively, so that it is necessary to make it clear whether a sailing vessel is propelled by machinery or not.

However, Japan considers that the exhibition of a white, red and green light combined in one lantern is safer way from viewpoint of visibility even if a sailing vessel is propelled by machinery, because a white, red and green light combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast is easier to be seen than sidelights placed on the hull near the surface of the sea.

Therefore, Japan is of the opinion that a white, red and green light combined in one lantern should be available to sailing vessels propelled by machinery, and when a sailing vessel indicates additional light that means being propelled by machinery at the same time. Then, we studied appropriate additional light, but at present we cannot propose such light which would not be misidentified as other lights required by other regulations. Outcome of our study is shown in annex 3.

While we continue to study appropriate additional light, we think it would be desirable to consider that issue among experts at appropriate sub-committee in IMO, because this problem also falls within a problem of the international navigation rules.

4　　　Compelling need to start the consideration:

.1　　　Whistles and bells required by COLREGs are too big and too heavy for small vessels less than 20 metres in length. This problem is too serious for owners of small vessels to continuously accept the carriage requirements of a bell which will be used in very rare case. A member of Japanese parliament also has strong concern about appropriateness of the carriage requirements of the bell in recent international regulations;

.2　　　Among the whistles and bells which are installed in vessels Imported from foreign countries to Japan, there are also small and light whistles and bells complying with the inland water regulations of the United States, ensuring the same range of audibility of whistles with COLREGs. However, many owners of such small vessels are often compelled to replace them with other whistles, such as those complying with COLRlEGs, because the original whistles do not comply. This fact discourages the incentive of the people who would like to try to import small vessels from foreign countries and it could be a trade barrier; and

.3　　　A whistle complying with COLREGs is so large for the sailing yacht that it could be dangerous for them because the ropes of the sailing yacht are easy to be caught on the large whistles.

Action requested of the Committee

5　　　The Committee is invited to consider the above proposal and include above-mentioned consideration among the work programme of appropriate sub-committee immediately.

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I:/MSC/69/20-4

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