The Wheelmark for navigation lights symbolises conformity with the Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 96/98/EC, which calls upon IMO COLREG 1972 and the norms EN 14744 (European standard for navigation lights on inland and sea-going vessels) and EN 60945 (Maritime navigation and radio-communication equipment and systems).

Wheelmark certified Hella marine LED navigation lamps are approved throughout Europe in all EC member states for both pleasure and commercial vessels.Wheelmark approvals replace the previously required certificates of the national authorities with the aim of ensuring that the equipment meets a common standard of safety and performance valid in every member state of the EU.

The Wheelmark symbol

A predominant safety requirement of EN 14744 for LED navigation lights is the monitoring and control of light output deviations caused by service life conditions. The Hella marine solutions are comprised of one of the following types of self monitoring:

1) Sophisticated self control and integrated diagnostic electronics:The electronics check and measure the lamp, ensuring optimum light intensity permanently corresponds to the visibility requirements for ongoing safety and reliability at sea.

2) An integrated electronic timer recording the operating hours: The timer will indicate ‘Service Mode ’ by flashing the lamp once 10,000 hours of continuous operation has been reached.

The MED certification of Hella marine lamps can be recognized by the symbol of a ship’s wheel (Wheelmark) engraved onto the top section of the shroud, and also onto the top section of the lens.

The MED lists statutory equipment carried and used on ships which are registered under the flags of the European Union member states which have to meet the international conventions developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The Wheelmark symbol
engraving as it appears on a
Hella marine NaviLED Pro Lamp

Hella marine NaviLED®PRO and 360 Wheelmark LED navigation lamps are type approved and certified according to the European norm EN 14744 by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) for German inland waterways and the open sea.   

NaviLED^®PRO Wheelmark: Self Diagnostic Control 

Each single-function NaviLED^®PRO BSH navigation lamp is equipped with a sophisticated self diagnostic control. A photometrical self-test is carried out by the lamp in periodic intervals. If the light output, and consequently the visibility, reaches a pre-determined value, the lamp activates ‘Service Mode 1’.

NaviLED® 360 Wheelmark: Integrated Electronic Timer

A sophisticated in-built timer circuit monitors run-time. every time the lamp is switched on. Once 10,000 hours has been exceeded, the lamp activates ‘Service Mode 1’. 

Service Mode: 

'Service Mode 1' is indicated by the lamp flashing at a rate of 60 flashes per minute for 15 seconds, as soon as the lamp is switched on. After 2000 hours of Service Mode 1, the lamp enters 'Service Mode 2'. During this phase, the flash rate doubles to 120 flashes per minute for 15 seconds as soon as the lamp is switched on. 

By regular recreational boating standards, even with regular night sailing (500 hours per year), Service Mode 1 should not occur earlier than 20 years from inital power up. To ensure the lamp meets the light output criteria of its certification, Hella marine recommends the light module be replaced as soon as it enters this 2000 hour Service Mode stage.