Light

[Kings Gambit]

I appreciate all the discussion about location and best visibility of the light but that is not the question. It comes down to this:

Is a boat on a swing mooring (mooring buoy) in inland waters that is not in a "special anchorage" designated on the NOAA charts considered "at anchor" for purposes of the COLREGS requirement to display a 360 degree white light? I understand that in a "special anchorage" a white light and black ball day shape is not required but the question is what if not in a special anchorage.

We already answered that question; we're now in the realm of "collateral" discussions.

 

[uncledom]

I appreciate all the discussion about location and best visibility of the light but that is not the question. It comes down to this:

Is a boat on a swing mooring (mooring buoy) in inland waters that is not in a "special anchorage" designated on the NOAA charts considered "at anchor" for purposes of the COLREGS requirement to display a 360 degree white light? I understand that in a "special anchorage" a white light and black ball day shape is not required but the question is what if not in a special anchorage.

Yes a boat in a mooring field is considered at anchor. (Made fast). Per the ColRegs if it is not in a designated “special anchorage” it is supposed to show an all around white light from dusk till dawn and hang a ball (dayshape) in the fore triangle.

 

[NotCook]

Yes a boat in a mooring field is considered at anchor. (Made fast).

An anchor and a mooring are both “ground tackle” - the latter is much harder to raise, but also harder to drag...

 

[CarlN]

"Moorings" and "Anchors" are not the same thing. And being tied to an approved permanent mooring is not the same thing as being "at anchor" - any more than being tied to a dock is "at anchor". And Rule 30 only says "a vessel at anchor" - there is no reference to "made fast" or "ground tackle". If COLREGS had wanted lights on boats tied to a mooring or tied to a dock - they would have said so in Rule 30. By the same logic, they also would have required moored and docked boats to display a day shape black ball.

My 55ft ketch is currently on a mooring in Red Brook Harbor on Cape Cod. I've had boats moored in this harbor for 55 years (starting with a 12' O'Day Widgeon when I was 8 which had no light or even a battery). There are at least 200 moorings here. I have never seen one of these boats on a mooring display an anchor light - only anchored boats.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Then why do moorings populate Special Anchorages, instead of “Special Moorages?” In any event you make a distinction without a difference. A mooring is itself anchored. If you are moored not at a dock you’re anchored. If you’re anchored, you are also moored.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Charlie. That looks like a cool old school light. Is there a manufacturer's name on it?

Sorry- ,just saw your question- I'll have to go to the store room and look. But it's just a plain old kerosene wick style lantern

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

It's a Dietz kerosene lantern- wick style. It was, at the time, a legal light, but used way too much fuel for me while I was cruising and anchoring out every night. The LED is far better

 

[jssailem]

Thanks Charlie... I just did a quick search for one.
Vintage Dietz #2 D-Lite RR Kerosine Lantern Original & Complete Made in New York. $225.00 on EBay.

Looks like you may have some gold hanging on your bow.

 

[DArcy]

Looks like you may have some gold hanging on your bow.

I have one of those in my basement!

 

[jssailem]

I have one of those in my basement!

Good for more boat bling on your new mistress.

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Thanks Charlie... I just did a quick search for one.
Vintage Dietz #2 D-Lite RR Kerosine Lantern Original & Complete Made in New York. $225.00 on EBay.

Looks like you may have some gold hanging on your bow.

WOW!! And I've got three of them!!

 

[uncledom]

"Moorings" and "Anchors" are not the same thing. And being tied to an approved permanent mooring is not the same thing as being "at anchor" - any more than being tied to a dock is "at anchor". And Rule 30 only says "a vessel at anchor" - there is no reference to "made fast" or "ground tackle". If COLREGS had wanted lights on boats tied to a mooring or tied to a dock - they would have said so in Rule 30. By the same logic, they also would have required moored and docked boats to display a day shape black ball.

My 55ft ketch is currently on a mooring in Red Brook Harbor on Cape Cod. I've had boats moored in this harbor for 55 years (starting with a 12' O'Day Widgeon when I was 8 which had no light or even a battery). There are at least 200 moorings here. I have never seen one of these boats on a mooring display an anchor light - only anchored boats.

90.5 Lights for moored vessels
A vessel at anchor includes a vessel made fast to one or more
mooring buoys or other similar device attached to the ocean floor. Such
vessels may be lighted as a vessel at anchor in accordance with Rule
30, or may be lighted on the corners in accordance with 33 CFR 88.13.

 

[Meriachee]

Wow. And to think that we just take a bunch of truck drums, tie some code 70 chain through them, toss 'em in the lake and come back in 5 years and do it all again. I sure hope the mooring police never get allowed across the border.

 

[uncledom]

Just as an aside, the USCG is only concerned and responsible for "navigable" water ways. After looking at the chart I don't think Red Brook Harbor falls in that category. Although the PATONs are registered with the CG and usually checked by the ACG, that doesn't make it an area of "navigable" water.

 

[jaysweet]

Zombie posting... just when you thought it was dead...

 

[uncledom]

Zombie posting... just when you thought it was dead...

Nothing ever dies, it just changes state.