I went to the "Boatsmart" Coast Guard course last night. I was asking about a statement in the manual which reads:Sailing vessels not under powernever display white masthead lights. Well, this got a long discussion started, the jist I got on it was that it's true. So, only while under power or at anchor do you use the masthead light! So, for another boat to identify you as under sail they will see either just red/green (from the front) or just the white sternlight. Seems weird (to me) that you don't have a light on up high so you're identified as a sailboat. I told those nice fellows OK, butI think I may just shine my flashlight on the sails anyway, although it's illegal, I think, believe it or knot!
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That's right Scott.
The masthead light(white) is the "steaming" light. And they are never at the masthead, usually around the spreaders somewhere. And it is not the anchor light. This season I will have a new "tricolor" at the top of the mast. This red/green is an alternative to the bow red/green, you can only show one or the other. But in heavy seas I like the idea of the "running" light being higher up. It also gives me a backup. Someone here on HOW convinced me it was a good idea since I am rewiring the mast this Spring.
The masthead light(white) is the "steaming" light. And they are never at the masthead, usually around the spreaders somewhere. And it is not the anchor light. This season I will have a new "tricolor" at the top of the mast. This red/green is an alternative to the bow red/green, you can only show one or the other. But in heavy seas I like the idea of the "running" light being higher up. It also gives me a backup. Someone here on HOW convinced me it was a good idea since I am rewiring the mast this Spring.
Almost right, but still wrong.
There is a rhyme and reason the the placement and color of lights on a boat, and doing it wrong can cause unnecessary confusion. A masthead light is just that: a light at the top of the mast visable for 360 degrees around the boat. A steaming light however is a white light in close proximity to the colored nav lights at the bow. The steaming light, because it is covered by the mast it is mounted on can not be seen from behind. If the MAST HEAD light is seen from behind along with the white stern light it makes the boat appear to a knowledgable seaman as something completely different from what it really is. To me that seems to be courting trouble. Make sure your lights are in proper condition, visable from the required distance (replace those crappy old Perkos) and run them right.
There is a rhyme and reason the the placement and color of lights on a boat, and doing it wrong can cause unnecessary confusion. A masthead light is just that: a light at the top of the mast visable for 360 degrees around the boat. A steaming light however is a white light in close proximity to the colored nav lights at the bow. The steaming light, because it is covered by the mast it is mounted on can not be seen from behind. If the MAST HEAD light is seen from behind along with the white stern light it makes the boat appear to a knowledgable seaman as something completely different from what it really is. To me that seems to be courting trouble. Make sure your lights are in proper condition, visable from the required distance (replace those crappy old Perkos) and run them right.
coast guard
what's the fuss. check in library section of boat u.s. who have all the regulatory info. buy the book, photocopy it and return the next day. or barnes and noble. forgot - west marine. get a coast guard publication. then you will impress the class!
what's the fuss. check in library section of boat u.s. who have all the regulatory info. buy the book, photocopy it and return the next day. or barnes and noble. forgot - west marine. get a coast guard publication. then you will impress the class!
Red over Green Sailing Machine
This applies to a another variation of the light wherby you have a 360 degree red and green light. As for the steeming light they are a t times on the mast head my fixture has two bulbe the forward one is the steeming light the aft one whe lit in combination with the steeming light makes an all around anchor light.
This applies to a another variation of the light wherby you have a 360 degree red and green light. As for the steeming light they are a t times on the mast head my fixture has two bulbe the forward one is the steeming light the aft one whe lit in combination with the steeming light makes an all around anchor light.
Whoa....
Unless I'm having a brain fart... The masthead light is the "Anchor Light" and is used only when the boat is at anchor. The Steaming light is forward on the mast, about 2/3rds of the way up and is used when engines are running (even if sail is deployed, as the boat is techincally a power boat at that time). The steaming light is never used when under sail. As far as the lights in the sail are concerned, I have avoided collision situations with power boats at night by shining a light in the sails to draw attention to the fact that I was a sailing vessel. I would not keep a light on them at all times though. I don't know about it being "illegal", but remember your number one concern as master of your vessel is to avoid a collision, and if it works.... I see people messing this up all of the time. I've thought about a tricolor light on the masthead myself.
Unless I'm having a brain fart... The masthead light is the "Anchor Light" and is used only when the boat is at anchor. The Steaming light is forward on the mast, about 2/3rds of the way up and is used when engines are running (even if sail is deployed, as the boat is techincally a power boat at that time). The steaming light is never used when under sail. As far as the lights in the sail are concerned, I have avoided collision situations with power boats at night by shining a light in the sails to draw attention to the fact that I was a sailing vessel. I would not keep a light on them at all times though. I don't know about it being "illegal", but remember your number one concern as master of your vessel is to avoid a collision, and if it works.... I see people messing this up all of the time. I've thought about a tricolor light on the masthead myself.
Lit Sails
Nothing illegal about shining a light on your sail(s) to make sure another boat sees you. Its the accepted and only thing you can do if you lose power before you can get anchored or back to your marina.
Nothing illegal about shining a light on your sail(s) to make sure another boat sees you. Its the accepted and only thing you can do if you lose power before you can get anchored or back to your marina.
That's what I thought...
the bottom line is if it avoids a collision all the better. Personally I wouldn't shine it in the main all of the time, just when I have real doubts the yahoo's in the stinkpots see me, or realize that I'm under sail. I swear they get dumber by the day, but that's another post...
the bottom line is if it avoids a collision all the better. Personally I wouldn't shine it in the main all of the time, just when I have real doubts the yahoo's in the stinkpots see me, or realize that I'm under sail. I swear they get dumber by the day, but that's another post...
For Al
When I said "masthead" I refered to it's location. The fixture has two seperate lights one shines forward the other aft. With the switch in the "anchor" position both bulbs light up in the "steam" position" only the forward one lights up. I also have a spreader light on the top of the mast that I use to light the cockpit or the main when I really want to be seen. If someone does not see me with that on I am not ever going to be seen.
When I said "masthead" I refered to it's location. The fixture has two seperate lights one shines forward the other aft. With the switch in the "anchor" position both bulbs light up in the "steam" position" only the forward one lights up. I also have a spreader light on the top of the mast that I use to light the cockpit or the main when I really want to be seen. If someone does not see me with that on I am not ever going to be seen.
Now I'm confused
See, I told you this subject causes a lot of discussion! The (Coast Guard ) manual requiress white MASTHEAD LIGHTS on all vessels less than 20 meters, including powerboats. They are defined as "white lights that shine 225 degrees forward". (As opposed to ALL AROUND LIGHTS (360 degrees) SIDELIGHTS (red port, green starboard) and STERNLIGHTS (135 degrees aft). It does mention that on sailboats masthead lights "are seldom at the top of the mast, but partway down". So, it seems, by law, that we as sailors must have a white masthead light, but it cannot be used while under sail power. So, on my hunter, I have a RUNNING LIGHTS switch (which is SIDE and STERN lights)...I have STEAMING lights (which is the MASTHEAD light)...and an ANCHOR light, which must be the ALL AROUND LIGHT. While sailing at night, I will have only the RUNNING LIGHTS on, when I look up I will see no lights anywhere on the mast, am I correct?
See, I told you this subject causes a lot of discussion! The (Coast Guard ) manual requiress white MASTHEAD LIGHTS on all vessels less than 20 meters, including powerboats. They are defined as "white lights that shine 225 degrees forward". (As opposed to ALL AROUND LIGHTS (360 degrees) SIDELIGHTS (red port, green starboard) and STERNLIGHTS (135 degrees aft). It does mention that on sailboats masthead lights "are seldom at the top of the mast, but partway down". So, it seems, by law, that we as sailors must have a white masthead light, but it cannot be used while under sail power. So, on my hunter, I have a RUNNING LIGHTS switch (which is SIDE and STERN lights)...I have STEAMING lights (which is the MASTHEAD light)...and an ANCHOR light, which must be the ALL AROUND LIGHT. While sailing at night, I will have only the RUNNING LIGHTS on, when I look up I will see no lights anywhere on the mast, am I correct?
Scott, Ask Those Nice Guys..
for a Courtesy Marine Exam. They will come out and check your boat out to make sure you have whats is required by law and offer suggestions on other thing to make your boating safer and more enjoyable. They will probably offer an invitation to join the flotilla and be part of the fun and learning. If they can not get out there to do the exam I'll come out and do it next time I am out that way.
for a Courtesy Marine Exam. They will come out and check your boat out to make sure you have whats is required by law and offer suggestions on other thing to make your boating safer and more enjoyable. They will probably offer an invitation to join the flotilla and be part of the fun and learning. If they can not get out there to do the exam I'll come out and do it next time I am out that way.
Thanks for the straight answers
Jim, and Ed. Rick, I'm going to take up your suggestion. They give you a little shield sticker, as you must know, that can look good if you're pulled over!
Jim, and Ed. Rick, I'm going to take up your suggestion. They give you a little shield sticker, as you must know, that can look good if you're pulled over!
Almost correct Scott.
Your post under "Now I'm Confused" is exactly right. One small exception, you could look up and see running lights like I do. As originally mentioned I have installed red/green running lights at the top of the mast. This is just a precaution for heavy weather and it gives me a backup. I have added a rotary switch to select bow or mast for the running lights. This fixture also contains the anchor light so I had to run new 3-wire cable to replace the old 2-wire.
Your post under "Now I'm Confused" is exactly right. One small exception, you could look up and see running lights like I do. As originally mentioned I have installed red/green running lights at the top of the mast. This is just a precaution for heavy weather and it gives me a backup. I have added a rotary switch to select bow or mast for the running lights. This fixture also contains the anchor light so I had to run new 3-wire cable to replace the old 2-wire.
Scott, another wrinkle
I don't think anyone mentioned that, up to a size larger than most of our boats, while motoring, an "all round" light can be used in place of the combination of stern light and steaming light, since, together, they cover the whole 360 degrees. So, it is entirely legal to motor with your red and green sidelights, and your anchor light. In that case, you have a white light at the masthead, which may well be more visible than your deck level stern light. It may also be less hard on your nightvision, and won't get obstructed by outboards, barbeques, flags, or other rail mounted paraphernalia. Just be sure to disconnect your stern light, which you can do with a switch or by removing the bulb.
I don't think anyone mentioned that, up to a size larger than most of our boats, while motoring, an "all round" light can be used in place of the combination of stern light and steaming light, since, together, they cover the whole 360 degrees. So, it is entirely legal to motor with your red and green sidelights, and your anchor light. In that case, you have a white light at the masthead, which may well be more visible than your deck level stern light. It may also be less hard on your nightvision, and won't get obstructed by outboards, barbeques, flags, or other rail mounted paraphernalia. Just be sure to disconnect your stern light, which you can do with a switch or by removing the bulb.
Rule 23
Tim, that would apply only when under power. For those who want a light up high to be seen better, the best solution is the Red over Green (not the tri color light) which may be shown in combination with deck mouted lights as stated in Rule 25.
Tim, that would apply only when under power. For those who want a light up high to be seen better, the best solution is the Red over Green (not the tri color light) which may be shown in combination with deck mouted lights as stated in Rule 25.
COMDTINST M16672.2D
What the heck is that? It is the Coast Guard Publication on Navigation Rules. Here is a link to the site for Nav Rules. http://www.uscg.mil/vtm/pages/rules.htm
What the heck is that? It is the Coast Guard Publication on Navigation Rules. Here is a link to the site for Nav Rules. http://www.uscg.mil/vtm/pages/rules.htm
Lights at Night Experience
When sailing at night it really helps to have good running lights on both your own boat as well as the other boat. Awhile back I wrote about an older sailboat that was T-boned by a fast powerboat - see link below. If the sailboat had better running lights the accident may have been avoided. It doesn't do much good if one is "dead right". As for shining a light on the sails at night, I've been asked to do this several times. With all the lights on a cruise ship I can't imagine puting a light on the sail to show someone your position would be illegal. On the otherhand, I think that having incorrect running or steaming lights on would be. More wattage and clear lenses is to err on the side of the angels.
When sailing at night it really helps to have good running lights on both your own boat as well as the other boat. Awhile back I wrote about an older sailboat that was T-boned by a fast powerboat - see link below. If the sailboat had better running lights the accident may have been avoided. It doesn't do much good if one is "dead right". As for shining a light on the sails at night, I've been asked to do this several times. With all the lights on a cruise ship I can't imagine puting a light on the sail to show someone your position would be illegal. On the otherhand, I think that having incorrect running or steaming lights on would be. More wattage and clear lenses is to err on the side of the angels.
I'm not to sure about the advisability of ignoring the rules. Sailing at night can be a great adventure, but it is clearly different then daylight sailing. Coming from a pilot background, it is as different as flying in the day and night. And we all know from the Kennedy accident that flying even on a clear night requires some basic skills. Sailing in the San Francisco Bay at night (where there is pretty much lights in every background) requires extreme vigilance. Tugs, ships and ferries can seem far away when they are not, or you may not see them until they are very close to you. Having the proper lights showing will be critical for you and them to quickly figure out which way they are going, or if they are towing. We use the radar at night as an exta pair of eyes, but do not trust it as the only source of information. Posted look-outs are necessary. On a recent late night crossing between Treasure and Angel Islands we changed course three times to avoid shipping. One tug in tow (which we knew by the lights) was towing a huge barge that was more visible by the city lights it blocked, than the lights (legal) that it carried. And like double railroad tracks, don't forget to look the other ways while dodging traffic, might just be something else to complicate your evening. Bottom line is keep the lights legal, its kinda like driving on the right side of the road, we all rely on it. And keep a good lookout. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije)
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