Navigation lights

RichH · Jul 24, 2010

the anchor light can be 'anywhere' in 'foretriangle'; it just has to be visible for ~360°. When my anchor light sometimes burns out, I will 'hang' a temp. anchor light from a spreader.

When sailing, the tricolor is used in place of the std. nav. lights. and you 'shouldnt' have both the tricolor AND the std. nav. lights on at the same time.

That said, when crossing heavy traffic shipping lanes when at sea .... I sometimes light up 'everything' just to be sure that Im seen, especially when these ships dont answer my VHF hail.

PaulK · Jul 25, 2010

Sometimes redundancy is a good thing to have on a boat. Like two bilge pumps. A masthead 360º anchor light enables you to see it and find your boat no matter where your dinghy is coming in from. If ours goes out we can hoist a lantern up on the forestay.

Ross · Jul 25, 2010

The written requirement for an anchor light is "an all around white light displayed where it can best be seen." there is no requirement as to location.
in my opinion a mast head anchor light can too easily blend in with the stars and get lost.

woodster · Jul 25, 2010

Ross said:
The written requirement for an anchor light is "an all around white light displayed where it can best be seen." there is no requirement as to location.
in my opinion a mast head anchor light can too easily blend in with the stars and get lost.

why not put a strob light up there along with the other one???????

regards

woody

Ross · Jul 25, 2010

Strobe lights should be used only during emergency situations.

Maine Sail · Jul 25, 2010

woodster said:
why not put a strob light up there along with the other one???????

regards

woody

Because strobes are illegal for that purpose under the COLREGS.

Here is a write up direct from the USCG Nav Center Web Site:

"14. Can I use Strobe Lights to be more visible at night?

For any other lights beyond those specifically defined within the Navigation Rules they should be such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules, or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out (Rule 20).

Displaying a strobe for “higher visibility” would confuse other vessels as to your navigational status (many aids to navigation use a strobe or flashing). Also, lights provide direction and aspect information to other boat operators. For example, if while operating my vessel I see a red light on my starboard side I know I am the give-way vessel (Rule 16, 17). The use of a strobe light could overwhelm a vessel’s navigation lights and cease to provide such crucial direction and aspect information to other boat operators.

Also, Rule 36 of the International Rules addresses signals to attract attention and for the purpose of [that] rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided. Rule 37 of the Inland Rules addresses strobes in regards to distress signals so that when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use…a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70 times per minute.
Since strobe light use is to be avoided (International waters) or used as a distress signal (Inland waters), it cannot be used to routinely mark vessels operating on the water."

There is no "requirement" to have an anchor light on the mast head. It does need to be a 360 degree all round light that is visible over an arc of at least 356 degrees so can't be too obstructed. The radar pole is a good location and far enough away from the mast that any obstruction is minimal. I have two anchor lights one on the radar pole and one on the mast head and use the radar pole light 98% of the time..

woodster · Jul 25, 2010

Maine Sail said:
Because strobes are illegal for that purpose under the COLREGS.

Here is a write up direct from the USCG Nav Center Web Site:

"14. Can I use Strobe Lights to be more visible at night?

For any other lights beyond those specifically defined within the Navigation Rules they should be such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules, or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out (Rule 20).

Displaying a strobe for “higher visibility” would confuse other vessels as to your navigational status (many aids to navigation use a strobe or flashing). Also, lights provide direction and aspect information to other boat operators. For example, if while operating my vessel I see a red light on my starboard side I know I am the give-way vessel (Rule 16, 17). The use of a strobe light could overwhelm a vessel’s navigation lights and cease to provide such crucial direction and aspect information to other boat operators.

Also, Rule 36 of the International Rules addresses signals to attract attention and for the purpose of [that] rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided. Rule 37 of the Inland Rules addresses strobes in regards to distress signals so that when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use…a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70 times per minute.
Since strobe light use is to be avoided (International waters) or used as a distress signal (Inland waters), it cannot be used to routinely mark vessels operating on the water."

There is no "requirement" to have an anchor light on the mast head. It does need to be a 360 degree all round light that is visible over an arc of at least 356 degrees so can't be too obstructed. The radar pole is a good location and far enough away from the mast that any obstruction is minimal. I have two anchor lights one on the radar pole and one on the mast head and use the radar pole light 98% of the time..

thanks for pointing that out ...that does answer my question ....i am sure that i will be asking a lot more from time to time...there is a lot to learn ...

regards

woody