Collection: Beacons

Marine beacon lights: special signaling visible in 360°

A marine beacon light is a flashing light designed to attract attention around the vessel. Unlike standard navigation lights, it does not by itself indicate the course, port sector, starboard sector, or stern. It is used for special signaling in situations or on vessels for which this type of signal is prescribed and permitted.

This collection includes Mantagua beacon lights visible in 360°, available in blue or orange. The choice depends primarily on the color permitted for the intended use, the required range, the mounting position, and the electrical integration on board. Before installation, always verify the applicable rules for the vessel, its mission, and its operating area.

Blue or orange: choose according to permitted use

The Mantagua blue beacon light 2MN 360° is intended for uses where blue signaling is prescribed. In many areas, blue is reserved for specific services, such as authorities, rescue, police, customs, pilotage, or authorized units. This is not an aesthetic choice: the color must correspond to a genuinely permitted use.

The Mantagua orange beacon light 1MN 360° is intended for more general warning signaling when orange is appropriate: workboat, intervention, construction site, specific maneuver, or need for enhanced visibility. Again, the beacon light does not replace standard navigation or anchor lights: it supplements signaling when the operational context allows.

Range, visibility, and location

360° visibility is critical for a beacon light. The light must be installed where it is not obscured by the mast, arch, antennas, helm station, tender, or deck equipment. A stated range is only useful if the light is actually visible in all required directions.

The range in nautical miles must be chosen based on the vessel and the situation. A 2MN version provides greater visibility than a 1MN version, but range alone does not solve everything. A beacon light that is too low, hidden by structure, or poorly oriented will be less effective than a less powerful light that is correctly positioned.

Electrical integration on board

A beacon light must be wired as a critical signaling device: identified circuit, appropriate protection, clear control, and watertight connections. The wide-input models facilitate integration on 12 V or 24 V systems, but you must verify the actual voltage available, cable cross-section, run length, and ground or negative return quality.

The control must be explicit at the electrical panel. If the vessel already has navigation lights, masthead lights, anchor lights, or combined lights, the beacon light must remain separate in the crew's mind. It must not be activated by mistake instead of a regulated light, nor left on in a situation that does not justify it.

Regulated use and limits

Beacon lights are not standard navigation lights. Their use may be strictly regulated, particularly by color, vessel type, mission, and area. Before installing or using a blue or orange beacon light, verify the applicable rules with the competent authority, flag state, fleet manager, or vessel safety officer.

A beacon light does not correct an incomplete navigation light installation. If the vessel lacks a side light, stern light, masthead light, or anchor light, this regulatory function must be addressed first. The beacon light is used as a supplement to signal a particular situation or specific mission.

Complementary collections

To complete the lighting installation, see the navigation lights, side lights, stern lights, masthead lights, anchor lights, strobe lights, and light control systems. These families serve different functions and must be chosen according to the vessel's actual use.

Skysat advice

Before choosing a beacon light, first confirm the right to use the desired color. Then verify the range, mounting location, supply voltage, watertightness, and clarity of the control. A good beacon light is a highly visible device: it must be useful, permitted, and impossible to confuse with other lights on the vessel.