Who has the authority over the construction of lights and shapes on a vessel?

The appropriate authority over the construction of lights and shapes on a vessel is the State whose flag the vessel flies. This is because international maritime law, specifically the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), establishes that the flag state is responsible for ensuring that vessels meet specific construction and equipment standards, which include the installation of navigational lights and shapes.

The flag state embodies the legal jurisdiction under which the vessel is registered and, as such, is responsible for enforcing regulations concerning safety equipment, including those related to lights and shapes which are crucial for navigation and collision avoidance. This responsibility ensures that vessels not only comply with international standards but also maintain safety protocols as mandated by the relevant regulatory frameworks.