Questions and Answers
Hello All! I have a couple of questions/comments (measely gripes) about the questions/answers: Q3: I have referred to several of the books and can find no reference to "zero" tide. I assumed the author meant "chart datum" so went with that. Although the third answer was MOST correct, there is no completely correct answer to the question. For the rock to cover and uncover at 3 feet above chart datum, the 3 needed an underline. Tough to do on the test submission I suspect, so, big deal right? Well, almost, the way the symbol is currently displayed: * (3) indicates that the rock does not cover and sticks up 3 feet above the height datum (mean higher high water in most cases). (Index K10 and K11, page 43, Chart #1.) On the other hand, if it's sticking up out of the water even at the high tides, you could see it and not have to worry about it (except in fog) so also no big deal. Note for Alan, Bayville, NY: Sailing with your anchor light on at night to illuminate the windex is a common practice, but incorrectly identifies your vessel to other vessels. If an accident did occur, you would be at fault for incorrect lighting. I strongly recommend installing a Windex light or removing the Windex from the boat completely. Many people also turn their steaming light on at night so they can see the telltales on the jib. This is also dangerous as it identifies you as a powerboat. If you have both steaming and anchor lights on, you are telling people that you are a powerboat over 50 meters. If somebody had an accident trying to stay out of your way, you'd be at fault in court. If you sail at night, I recommend you put very lightweight reflective tape on one side of each telltale then use a red LED light from the cockpit if you need to see the tales. This works great on the mainsail tales as well. You can also do this with a telltale on the shroud so you don't need the windex at all. The Red and White Bouy: There are two types: 1) Mid Channel Marker [also acts as Sea Bouy identifying an inlet and flashes Morse Code A] 2) Cardinal System Hazard Marker. For Number 1), you can pass on either side as it simply identifies the center of the channel, but if you are in a traffic separation scheme, it is highly advisable you take it to port at all times as the tankers do the same thing. For Number 2) (not sure that sounds quite right), the bouy is more of a candy stripe that doesn't turn; it has thinner vertical lines and a lot more of them. This bouy says "Do not go between me and the closest shore." Hope that helps. Don't Remember Who Asked: The term "masthead light" originated with the advent of the first motor sailors. They had to come up with some way to tell them apart from the sail boats. The best place for the light with square sails up is at the masthead. At that time, anchor lights were not used, they simply lit up the deck with the watch lights. As boats progressed and powerboats had no masts for sails, they had to actually install a mast for the sole purpose of holding up the light. Therefore, the name masthead stuck. The term mast light also came from powerboats; again, the only reason for the mast was to hold the light up. Another name for the same light is "Bow Light". This term was invented for the sailboats when anchor lights became an addition. The Bow Light is the light "seen from" the bow just as the Side Lights are "seen from" the side. On the other hand, this is confusing to a person that might think you are talking about the lights located at the bow. So, to eliminate the confusion, the term "steaming light" was born into the COLREGS in 1977 and is finally becoming more popular for sailors and powerboaters alike. With the following list it is rarely possible to confuse the lighting: Side Lights Stern Light Anchor Light Steaming Light Deck Light Spreader Lights Cabin Lights Does a boat have headlights? If not, how do you go to the head at night? OK, very old, very bad joke. Hope everyone has a nice day. Want to take a tougher test? Follow the link included.
