I have two sets of Coast Guard pamphlets concerning night time running for sailboats under power. One set says you need to have a white stern light, red/green on bow, and 3/4 white light at top of mast. The other says you don't need a stern light but you do need a 360 degree white at top and of course the red/green at the bow. Have the regs changed because of the vessel size? Would it be ok to use either configuration? Thanks. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Nick
Seeing the Light . . .
Under sail at night = Red & Green Bow lights and white stern light. Motoring at night = Red & Green Bow Lights and and white stern light, plus steaming light (forward facing) on the mast. An all around white light (360 degrees) is used only for anchoring, and it doesen't have to be on the mast at all. In fact, in a harbor with lots of tenders zipping around a lower (to the water) anchor light is better. Nick "Julia Bell" C-27, #86
Under sail at night = Red & Green Bow lights and white stern light. Motoring at night = Red & Green Bow Lights and and white stern light, plus steaming light (forward facing) on the mast. An all around white light (360 degrees) is used only for anchoring, and it doesen't have to be on the mast at all. In fact, in a harbor with lots of tenders zipping around a lower (to the water) anchor light is better. Nick "Julia Bell" C-27, #86
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Jim Quibell
You are correct Nick
in your advice on light requirements when sailing, motoring, or anchoring at night. I believe you may also use a masthead tri-colour light when under sail at night providing your sailboat is over 6 meters in length. Power boats, sailboats, sailboards, watercycles, paddleboats, canoes, personal watercraft, rowboats, kayaks and rowing shells all require some form of navigation lighting if the vessel is operated after sunset and before sunrise. Cheers, Jim Quibell - Sam's Closin'time - Grampian 26
in your advice on light requirements when sailing, motoring, or anchoring at night. I believe you may also use a masthead tri-colour light when under sail at night providing your sailboat is over 6 meters in length. Power boats, sailboats, sailboards, watercycles, paddleboats, canoes, personal watercraft, rowboats, kayaks and rowing shells all require some form of navigation lighting if the vessel is operated after sunset and before sunrise. Cheers, Jim Quibell - Sam's Closin'time - Grampian 26
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Clyde
Colregs Rule 23
Rule 23(a.) A power driven vessel underway shall exhibit a masthead light forward, sidelights and a sternlight for vessels less than 50 meters. For vessels less than 50 meters, a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so. Rule 23(c) A power driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights. If your sailboat is less than 12 meters and you are motoring at night, than the USCG pamphlet stating that you do not need a white sternlight, but must show an all around white light (i.e. an anchor light) along with the colored sidelights is correct. Most sailboats regardless if they are less than 12 meters, still abide by Rule 23(a) and do not use the exception Rule 23(c). Fair Winds, Clyde
Rule 23(a.) A power driven vessel underway shall exhibit a masthead light forward, sidelights and a sternlight for vessels less than 50 meters. For vessels less than 50 meters, a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so. Rule 23(c) A power driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights. If your sailboat is less than 12 meters and you are motoring at night, than the USCG pamphlet stating that you do not need a white sternlight, but must show an all around white light (i.e. an anchor light) along with the colored sidelights is correct. Most sailboats regardless if they are less than 12 meters, still abide by Rule 23(a) and do not use the exception Rule 23(c). Fair Winds, Clyde
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Paul H
Col regs
Clyde, thanks for the response. I figured I'd do what you suggested BUT I just wanted to bounce it off others first. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Clyde, thanks for the response. I figured I'd do what you suggested BUT I just wanted to bounce it off others first. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
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Rick Webb
One Other Requirement
The white light either all around or the 225 degree masthead light must be one meter above the side lights. It is the annex to the CFR somewhere. You may run a 360 degree white light while motoring instead of the steaming light and stern light.
The white light either all around or the 225 degree masthead light must be one meter above the side lights. It is the annex to the CFR somewhere. You may run a 360 degree white light while motoring instead of the steaming light and stern light.
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Tim McCarty
with regard to the masthead light...
It would seem on my boat ('94 H29.5) that I have only an anchor light at the top of the mast. Is it ok to use the anchor light as your steaming light? I understand the difference (in angles etc), I'm just a bit confused as to what is legal and illegal...
It would seem on my boat ('94 H29.5) that I have only an anchor light at the top of the mast. Is it ok to use the anchor light as your steaming light? I understand the difference (in angles etc), I'm just a bit confused as to what is legal and illegal...
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Rick Webb
Tim, I Beleive the Answer is Yes*
*So long as you do not also display a stern light. The stern light must however be illuminated while under sail.
*So long as you do not also display a stern light. The stern light must however be illuminated while under sail.
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Jim Quibell
Different nav light regulations in USA?
The Canadian Coast Guard regulations do not allow for using a masthead anchor light as a steaming light on sailboats. If you are a power boat under 12 M then you may display bow nav lights and an allround white light from your power boat "mast". I think we all know what I refer to as a power boat mast right? The same power boat may also legally display forward bow nav lights, a rear facing white light (I think it is 135 degrees) and a front facing white light from the power boat "mast". There must be a clear break in the white lighting (different levels) and degrees of light diplay. A sailboat under 12M moving under power must display bow nav lights and a rear facing white light (again I'm sorry that I don't remember the number but it is around 135 degrees) along with a front facing white light called a "steaming light" and usually located above the spreaders. This steaming light on a sailboat displays 180 degrees of front facing white light. While moving under sail only at night you may display the above minus the steaming light - or - a masthead tri-colour (red, green, white) with or without the other nav lights turned on. If you sail at night with a simple red / green masthead light, then you must also display your "deck level" nav lights.
The Canadian Coast Guard regulations do not allow for using a masthead anchor light as a steaming light on sailboats. If you are a power boat under 12 M then you may display bow nav lights and an allround white light from your power boat "mast". I think we all know what I refer to as a power boat mast right? The same power boat may also legally display forward bow nav lights, a rear facing white light (I think it is 135 degrees) and a front facing white light from the power boat "mast". There must be a clear break in the white lighting (different levels) and degrees of light diplay. A sailboat under 12M moving under power must display bow nav lights and a rear facing white light (again I'm sorry that I don't remember the number but it is around 135 degrees) along with a front facing white light called a "steaming light" and usually located above the spreaders. This steaming light on a sailboat displays 180 degrees of front facing white light. While moving under sail only at night you may display the above minus the steaming light - or - a masthead tri-colour (red, green, white) with or without the other nav lights turned on. If you sail at night with a simple red / green masthead light, then you must also display your "deck level" nav lights.
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Rick Webb
Masthead Light
Has an arc of 225 degrees with the 135 from the stern should make a 360 degree white light. We are almost starting to split hairs here for boats our size but it is a good thing to know and to comply with the ColRegs.
Has an arc of 225 degrees with the 135 from the stern should make a 360 degree white light. We are almost starting to split hairs here for boats our size but it is a good thing to know and to comply with the ColRegs.
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Clyde
It’s the same in Canada
The CANADA SHIPPING ACT Collision Regulations CRC, Vol. XV, c. 1416, is the Canadian equivalent of the United States COLREGS. The Canadian Collision Regulations list the US COLREGS and notes the Canadian modifications to the US COLREGS that is not recognized in Canada or Canadian regulations that are not listed in the US COLREGS. Both the Canadian and US regulations uses the term "Power-Driven Vessels Underway". If a sailboat is being mechanically powered, then it’s a power-driven vessel underway meeting Rule 23(c)(i). In the Canadian Collision Regulations, Rule 23(c)(i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights. Fair Winds, Clyde
The CANADA SHIPPING ACT Collision Regulations CRC, Vol. XV, c. 1416, is the Canadian equivalent of the United States COLREGS. The Canadian Collision Regulations list the US COLREGS and notes the Canadian modifications to the US COLREGS that is not recognized in Canada or Canadian regulations that are not listed in the US COLREGS. Both the Canadian and US regulations uses the term "Power-Driven Vessels Underway". If a sailboat is being mechanically powered, then it’s a power-driven vessel underway meeting Rule 23(c)(i). In the Canadian Collision Regulations, Rule 23(c)(i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights. Fair Winds, Clyde
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Jim Quibell
Masthead Light
Rick - Those degrees make sense, but as I understand the regs - they must be on a different level?? A sailboat with a tall mast will interupt the 360 degree lighting area, whereas a power boat with their short "mast" is OK. Cheers,
Rick - Those degrees make sense, but as I understand the regs - they must be on a different level?? A sailboat with a tall mast will interupt the 360 degree lighting area, whereas a power boat with their short "mast" is OK. Cheers,
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alan
72 COLREGS vs. Inland Navigation Rules (US)
Don't want to split too many hairs, but the terminology can be important. 72 COLREGS (short for International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea 1972) are by international treaty and apply outside of well demarcated inland waters or depending on the country on all waters. In the US the trend has been to make it's Inland Nav. Rules the same as the international 72 COLREGS. I don't know about Canadian Inland Rules but outside of inland boundries, Canadian vessels follow the 72 Colregs. Power vessels (including any sailboat being at least in part propelled by machinery) less than 12 meters MAY display an all around white light (should be unbroken 360 degrees and therefore at the "masthead", note this is not a "masthead light", fits the bill as it would be partly blocked anywhere else) instead of separate stern and "masthead" light (called a steaming light on sailboats). alan
Don't want to split too many hairs, but the terminology can be important. 72 COLREGS (short for International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea 1972) are by international treaty and apply outside of well demarcated inland waters or depending on the country on all waters. In the US the trend has been to make it's Inland Nav. Rules the same as the international 72 COLREGS. I don't know about Canadian Inland Rules but outside of inland boundries, Canadian vessels follow the 72 Colregs. Power vessels (including any sailboat being at least in part propelled by machinery) less than 12 meters MAY display an all around white light (should be unbroken 360 degrees and therefore at the "masthead", note this is not a "masthead light", fits the bill as it would be partly blocked anywhere else) instead of separate stern and "masthead" light (called a steaming light on sailboats). alan
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Rick Webb
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John Dawson
Masthead
While I wasn't sure it was legal, the thing I liked about the white masthead is that running the engine doesn't always mean having your jib down. A steamer light makes that a legal and practical necessity.
While I wasn't sure it was legal, the thing I liked about the white masthead is that running the engine doesn't always mean having your jib down. A steamer light makes that a legal and practical necessity.
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Jim Quibell
Inland light regulations in Canada
I am aware of the offshore regulations being an international standard, but in Canadian inland waters (including the Canadian portion of the Great Lakes) ONLY a sailing vessel less than 7M long when sailing at night may display an all round 360 degree unbroken light. The only other vessels allowed to display a 360 degree unbroken light at night (unless anchored) are canoes, kayaks, rowboats, unpowered pleasure craft, etc not over 6M. Powered pleasure craft (runabouts, ski-boats) not over 6M may display this allround white light when underway at night along with bow nav light. Nowhere else does the Canadian Coast Guard show sailing vessels underway at night being allowed to display an unbroken 360 degree white light except when at anchor. This is directly from the latest Canadian Coast Guard Safe Boating Guide. Cheers,
I am aware of the offshore regulations being an international standard, but in Canadian inland waters (including the Canadian portion of the Great Lakes) ONLY a sailing vessel less than 7M long when sailing at night may display an all round 360 degree unbroken light. The only other vessels allowed to display a 360 degree unbroken light at night (unless anchored) are canoes, kayaks, rowboats, unpowered pleasure craft, etc not over 6M. Powered pleasure craft (runabouts, ski-boats) not over 6M may display this allround white light when underway at night along with bow nav light. Nowhere else does the Canadian Coast Guard show sailing vessels underway at night being allowed to display an unbroken 360 degree white light except when at anchor. This is directly from the latest Canadian Coast Guard Safe Boating Guide. Cheers,
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Randy
Lights
While it might be OK to use either option, and I really don't know, when I turn on my Nav lights both the bow and stern lights come on so I'll just continue to turn on my steaming light when I'm under power and my anchor light when I'm at anchor. If your rewiring you boat I believe I'd set it up this way as well, if only because thats the configuration most shore patrol are used to seeing. While you might be able to dig our the reg's and show them your OK, I'd rather not give them an excuse to stop me. I know they'd just find something else to write me up for.
While it might be OK to use either option, and I really don't know, when I turn on my Nav lights both the bow and stern lights come on so I'll just continue to turn on my steaming light when I'm under power and my anchor light when I'm at anchor. If your rewiring you boat I believe I'd set it up this way as well, if only because thats the configuration most shore patrol are used to seeing. While you might be able to dig our the reg's and show them your OK, I'd rather not give them an excuse to stop me. I know they'd just find something else to write me up for.
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