I just purchased a used Catalina 30 (1984). One of the switches on the DC control panel is labeled "Steaming." Does anyone know what that means and the purpose of the switch? I can see anything change when I turn it on, but that could be because it's broken. If I knew what it mean, I could determine if it was working or not.
What does "Steaming" mean
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It's for a navigational light halfway up the mast. It is required to be lit at night when you are moving under power.
From another topic just today:
The anchor light, all around white light at the top is NOT the steaming light, two different things, and not to be confused or used together.
Sailing: nav lights (red, green, white stern light)
Motoring: nav lights plus steaming light (the halfway up one)
Anchored: all around white light at top of mast, nav & steaming lights off
www.boatsafe.com
The anchor light, all around white light at the top is NOT the steaming light, two different things, and not to be confused or used together.
Sailing: nav lights (red, green, white stern light)
Motoring: nav lights plus steaming light (the halfway up one)
Anchored: all around white light at top of mast, nav & steaming lights off
www.boatsafe.com
What if my boat isn't, and never was, equipped with a halfway up steaming light?
What should be on then when motoring?
Am I required to get a "steaming light"?
What should be on then when motoring?
Am I required to get a "steaming light"?
The white "Steaming Light" must be ABOVE the running lights and show 225 degrees forward. The "Anchor Light" fills in the additional 135 degrees of white light while at anchor in a NON "Special Anchorage Area."
There is nothing saying HOW FAR above the side lights it should be.
There is nothing saying HOW FAR above the side lights it should be.
Thank You!
Thanks everyone!
That's kind of what I expected it was, but there is no light on my mast. I thought it was strange that all my google searches for "steaming" didn't bring up anything, plus, in my USCG Captain's training/certification, I don't recall anything about a steaming light being required. I know that I have to have an anchor light when I'm at anchor, but the three running lights (red, green, and white) are the only ones I remember from my training that were required to be visible while I'm under weigh. I'll have to go back and review. None of my boats have a steaming light and I've been inspected several times by the USCG.
Thanks!
Thanks everyone!
That's kind of what I expected it was, but there is no light on my mast. I thought it was strange that all my google searches for "steaming" didn't bring up anything, plus, in my USCG Captain's training/certification, I don't recall anything about a steaming light being required. I know that I have to have an anchor light when I'm at anchor, but the three running lights (red, green, and white) are the only ones I remember from my training that were required to be visible while I'm under weigh. I'll have to go back and review. None of my boats have a steaming light and I've been inspected several times by the USCG.
Thanks!
Re: Thank You!
Those of us with OLD boats don't have all the extras,
Red/Green Front, White Rear, White 360 top of mast.
That's it.
Must distinguish between:
1.Sailing under way (red/green and rear white - all on)
2.Motoring under way (even with sails up); (red/green and rear white AND Mast head 360 white ON).
3.Anchored. Mast head white 360 only on.
That's how I understood it from the course I took in a near by city.
Heave to is still sailing. Not sure about bare poles.
Is this wrong??
Making sense of some of it is difficult when your boat isn't equipped with any of the more modern stuff.
Those of us with OLD boats don't have all the extras,
Red/Green Front, White Rear, White 360 top of mast.
That's it.
Must distinguish between:
1.Sailing under way (red/green and rear white - all on)
2.Motoring under way (even with sails up); (red/green and rear white AND Mast head 360 white ON).
3.Anchored. Mast head white 360 only on.
That's how I understood it from the course I took in a near by city.
Heave to is still sailing. Not sure about bare poles.
Is this wrong??
Making sense of some of it is difficult when your boat isn't equipped with any of the more modern stuff.
Fellers, this isn't modern stuff. It's been the rule since - don't quote me on this - forever. I think there was a Federal Boating Law of somewhere in the 1940's or sumthin', several decades ago at least. You'll find the details in both Chapman's and Dutton's, WEST adviser too.
For vessels under 20 meters the steaming light is NOT all around 360° white but rather forward facing to 2 points abaft the beam on either side (225° or 20 points altogether) white and mounted above the bow red/green nav lights.
The steaming light was often called a 'bow' light as well. The picture is the original 1977 electrical distribution panel from my Catalina 30.
I don't know if they're required to do so today but there was a time when manufacturers were not required to provide nav lights of any sort. A previous boat, a Catalina 22, had no electrics at all which meant no lighting, cabin, navigational or otherwise. I added them myself.
For vessels under 20 meters the steaming light is NOT all around 360° white but rather forward facing to 2 points abaft the beam on either side (225° or 20 points altogether) white and mounted above the bow red/green nav lights.
The steaming light was often called a 'bow' light as well. The picture is the original 1977 electrical distribution panel from my Catalina 30.
I don't know if they're required to do so today but there was a time when manufacturers were not required to provide nav lights of any sort. A previous boat, a Catalina 22, had no electrics at all which meant no lighting, cabin, navigational or otherwise. I added them myself.
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Whoever wired our boat.... Nav switch lights bow nav lights only. Steaming switch is also marked anchor, and lights up the entire mast, both steam and anchor lights, as well as stern light.
Are there any regs on putting up more lights? For example stringing mini lights or rope lights up the fore and aft stays?
Are there any regs on putting up more lights? For example stringing mini lights or rope lights up the fore and aft stays?
Both of those situations would be covered by lights for "Not Under Command". Bare poles in wind strong enough to propel the boat at speed downwind could be considered "Restricted in Ability to Maneuver". Look them up. You should be reviewing the Colregs anyway if you are asking these questions. You should have a copy of the Navigation Rules on board. It's required for a boat above a certain length. (Extra credit: what length?)
I've never seen such lights on any sailboat except sailing school vessels that do oceanographic work routinely. However, if you plan to do sailing or cruising where you expect to be resting or sleeping while hove to or lying ahull under bare poles, with no one on watch, your should have a set of portable lights that you can hoist up a flag or spinnaker halyard to let other vessels know that you need to be treated as a slowly moving object. The anchor light is not appropriate unless you are actually anchored.l
In heavy traffic areas (although what you would be doing sleeping there is a question) you should also be making Security calls with your location at reasonable intervals and have the radio on.
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