Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:55:26-2:55:47

Navigation lights in a blacked-out convoy

Wartime ships could run completely dark, but convoys often retained extremely dim navigation lights to reduce the danger of colliding with one another.

Battle of the AtlanticConvoysMerchant ShippingNavigation
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Question

What was the wartime protocol for navigation lights on merchant ships?

Short answer

Ships could be completely blacked out, but convoys generally tried to retain very dim navigation lights so vessels could avoid colliding with one another.

Notes

Wartime ships could be completely blacked out, including their navigation lights. Convoys also had to keep ships from colliding as they moved together. Very dim navigation lights were therefore retained when required, and crews tried to keep them working. Their practical purpose was to help ships avoid one another.