Night Passage on the Leie with a Defective Stern Light

The lights ahead show a red light and a white light close together, with a green light further to the right. This combination suggests a vessel engaged in fishing or a vessel constrained by her draught, but more likely it is a vessel showing the lights of a power-driven vessel underway from a crossing aspect. The red and white close together could be the sidelights and masthead light of a vessel approaching from your starboard side, showing her red sidelight and a white masthead light, while the green light further right might be a second vessel or a shore light. However, the movement from right to left indicates the vessel is crossing your course from starboard to port. Under CEVNI, when two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on her starboard side must keep out of the way. Therefore, you are the give-way vessel and must take early and substantial action to keep clear. You should reduce speed, alter course to starboard to pass astern of the other vessel, and avoid crossing ahead. Because your stern light is defective, you are also in violation of lighting requirements and should rectify the defect at the earliest opportunity, but for now, focus on avoiding collision. You should also sound the appropriate sound signal to indicate your intentions if necessary.

Under CEVNI, a power-driven vessel underway must exhibit a stern light. A defective stern light means you are not complying with the lighting requirements, which is an administrative offence. However, safety of navigation takes precedence. You should immediately switch on any available backup stern light if fitted, or use a torch or other white light to indicate your presence from astern, but ensure it does not dazzle other vessels. You should reduce speed and proceed with caution, considering the reduced visibility of your vessel from behind. You should also inform other traffic via VHF radio if available, and make a note in the logbook. Upon reaching your destination, you must repair the light before proceeding further. If the defect cannot be repaired, you should not continue the voyage at night without a functioning stern light. Additionally, you should report the defect to the relevant authority if required by local regulations.

The jetty on your port side is a potential hazard, but your immediate concern is the crossing vessel. You should first reduce speed to give yourself more time to assess the situation. Then, alter course to starboard to pass astern of the crossing vessel, while keeping clear of the jetty. Because the jetty is on your port side, altering to starboard will also increase your distance from it. You should monitor the other vessel's movements and be prepared to take further action if she does not maintain her course and speed. If the other vessel is indeed crossing from starboard, she is the stand-on vessel and must maintain course and speed, so you should not expect her to give way. Once the other vessel has passed, you can resume your course, but remain vigilant for other traffic. Keep a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout at all times.