Sealite News
14th December 2003
United States Coast Guard Approves the use of LED Lanterns for Private Aids to Navigation
The United States Coast Guard last week advised Sealite that the change to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 66, Private Aids to Navigation (PATON) was published on Dec 8, 2003. This change allows for the use of LED lanterns on PATONs in the United States, and takes effect on March 8th 2004. According to the USCG, 'this rule may reduce lifecycle cost, reduce the consumption of power, and simplify the maintenance of PATONs by allowing the use of lighting technologies other than those based on tungsten-incandescent light sources'.
Sealite has been manufacturing LED lanterns in volume since 1997 and is the world’s largest manufacturer of marine LED lanterns, with 27 models and 9 different LED lens designs in production. The company is supported by over 90 distributors worldwide, and its research, innovation and toolmaking facilities are unrivalled. Company founder and Managing Director, Jeff Procter, reports that 'These new rules are great news for private users. Sealite LED Lanterns are a fantastic product which allow operators to install a unit that will operate independently, and largely maintenance-free for years. We have the largest range of LED lanterns on the market and the strongest warranty in the industry, so we feel we are ready to service the needs of private users in the US.'