Osculati Sphera 112.5° Red Side Light (Port) – Safety for the Left Side

The Osculati Sphera red side light (port side) is essential for safe nighttime operation of your vessel, as it indicates to other craft the position of your boat’s left side. Together with the green starboard light, it forms the system of side running lights that inform nearby mariners of your orientation and course. The red light covers a 112.5° horizontal sector – from straight ahead to about 22.5° abaft the beam on the port side – as required by COLREG72. In practice, this means any vessel seeing your red light is positioned on your port side. In a crossing situation, that signal means you should give way, so having a correct and clearly visible red light is vital to avoid misunderstandings and potential collisions.

Like the other lights in the Sphera series, the Osculati 112.5° red light is designed for boats up to 12 m and has been RINA certified for compliance. This gives you confidence that its color, brightness, and coverage are properly calibrated for a small vessel. The housing, in white polycarbonate plastic, protects the internals from environmental influences. Its smooth, rounded design not only looks modern but also minimizes snagging on ropes or damage from impacts. The light is completely waterproof – gaskets and quality construction prevent water intrusion, so the electrical components remain dry even in driving rain or heavy seas. The red lens is made of a durable material that ensures a pure red output and is shielded against UV-induced fading, preserving the light’s effectiveness over the long term.

The included halogen bulb (12 V, 10 W) emits a strong red light easily visible from at least 1 NM away – fulfilling the regulations for vessels <12 m. If you prefer LED technology, you can swap the bulb for a suitable LED module without changing anything else – the housing and socket are compatible. Installing the red side light is identical to the green: choose a location on the port side (usually symmetrical to where the green light is mounted) – for example, on the left side of the cabin superstructure or on a coaming/bulkhead near the bow on the port side. Drill the necessary holes, position the base, and screw in the two mounting screws; it’s a good idea to apply a thin bead of sealant for a secure waterproof seal before fully tightening the screws. Feed the cable through the hull or panel and connect it to the navigation light circuit, observing polarity (most nav lights aren’t polarity-sensitive, but convention is to attach the positive lead to the red/brown wire and negative to the blue/black). Secure the wiring so it’s not dangling or pinched by interior components. After installation, test the system: when you turn on your nav lights, the red lamp should shine brightly to port, complementing the green to starboard and the white lights (stern/masthead) – together giving full 360° coverage. With the Osculati Sphera red light on board, your vessel is fully equipped for night voyages according to the rules, and you can navigate confidently knowing you’re being seen correctly by others.

• Typical Use Cases: This red light is mandatory for all boats up to 12 m that venture out at night – from small fishing skiffs and yachts to speedboats and cruisers. It’s used always in tandem with the green light to provide the complete picture of your vessel’s orientation. It proves useful during night cruises, regattas, crossing busy waterways after sunset, or returning to harbor in the dark. Even during twilight or daytime fog, switching on the side lights can enhance your visibility to others. Essentially, any time you operate in low visibility, having this light functioning is critically important.
• Recommended Vessel Size: Designed for vessels under 12 m in length, this light addresses the specific needs of small and medium boats. For vessels over 12 m, stronger lights (2 NM range) are required, but for your category the Osculati Sphera provides the necessary 1 NM visibility and proper arc. This makes it perfect for boats roughly 5–12 m long, giving them the same level of safety compliance as larger ships, but in a compact form factor. If your boat is in that range, you can rely on this product to keep you legal and safe.
• Installation Tips: Mount the red light on the port side of the boat, mirror-symmetrical to the green starboard light’s position. Ensure both side lights are at the same height and far enough from reflective surfaces that could cause glare or “wash out” the light (for instance, if mounted on a white cabin side, having a dark backing plate behind the fixture can improve forward visibility by reducing reflection). Double-check the orientation: the red light should not be visible from the starboard side or stern – if it is, adjust the angle or add a side shield as necessary. When wiring, use tie-wraps or conduit to keep the wires tidy and secure, away from hot or moving parts. It’s a good idea to periodically (say, once a year) remove the lens and clean off any salt or buildup, as well as inspect the contacts for corrosion – this maintenance will keep the light shining bright and ensure reliability for years.