Can someone refresh my memory on Coast Guard Regs? I was thinking of putting a solar powered lawn light on the masthead as a always on, light. can the masthead light be displayed when motoring or sailing? can this type of light be used in addition to the normal r/g stern white? -anyone try modifying these and using led's as the bulbs? why is this a bad idea? thanks in advance?
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LED
We installed an LED cluster anchor light from Deep Creek Design this past year and used it all summer in Maine. We love it. It uses 1/10 the power of a normal anchor light. We checked from shore, and the light is just as visible as any other boat. The LED cluster is white, but it does have a distinct bluish tone to it, so we could tell which boat was ours in a populated anchorage. Also includes a photocell that turns the light on according to ambient light conditions. Leave your boat during the day, switch on the anchor light at the panel, but it won't actually turn on until the light gets low. Love it. Carl and Jule s/v Syzygy
We installed an LED cluster anchor light from Deep Creek Design this past year and used it all summer in Maine. We love it. It uses 1/10 the power of a normal anchor light. We checked from shore, and the light is just as visible as any other boat. The LED cluster is white, but it does have a distinct bluish tone to it, so we could tell which boat was ours in a populated anchorage. Also includes a photocell that turns the light on according to ambient light conditions. Leave your boat during the day, switch on the anchor light at the panel, but it won't actually turn on until the light gets low. Love it. Carl and Jule s/v Syzygy
One light doesn't fit all your needs
Carl & Jule, I use a self-powered light sometimes for my cockpit, but I wouldn't use it for a mast light. I believe your steaming light is supposed to be 270 degrees forward facing and your anchor light is supposed to be 360 degrees, all-around. That alone would cause confusion as to whether you are under power or at anchor. If I saw a white light on your mast and red or green on your bow, I would assume you are steaming and I would have right-of-way, if I was under sail. Then there is the brightness issue. The one I use as a cockpit light isn't really bright enough to keep people away on a dark night, and since it is battery powered, mine gets dimmer as time goes by. I wish it were that easy, but it isn't. Ol' Dave
Carl & Jule, I use a self-powered light sometimes for my cockpit, but I wouldn't use it for a mast light. I believe your steaming light is supposed to be 270 degrees forward facing and your anchor light is supposed to be 360 degrees, all-around. That alone would cause confusion as to whether you are under power or at anchor. If I saw a white light on your mast and red or green on your bow, I would assume you are steaming and I would have right-of-way, if I was under sail. Then there is the brightness issue. The one I use as a cockpit light isn't really bright enough to keep people away on a dark night, and since it is battery powered, mine gets dimmer as time goes by. I wish it were that easy, but it isn't. Ol' Dave
Collision regulations
The white light located at the top of the mast is inteded as an anchor light. In other words, the light indicates to all who see it, that there is a vessel at anchor. Is is not intended nor should it be used in place or or in addition to a steaming light. There are few enough signals, lights or otherwise which convey important information to other vessels, don't mix the messages.
The white light located at the top of the mast is inteded as an anchor light. In other words, the light indicates to all who see it, that there is a vessel at anchor. Is is not intended nor should it be used in place or or in addition to a steaming light. There are few enough signals, lights or otherwise which convey important information to other vessels, don't mix the messages.
No Max On Lights
I have never seen in any regulations where you can not have aditional lights. Have we all not seen commercial traffic with lots of non regulation lights shining away.
I have never seen in any regulations where you can not have aditional lights. Have we all not seen commercial traffic with lots of non regulation lights shining away.
I see boats out at night motoring and sailing
with anchor light (masthead) on quite often and have found it confusing, I don't understand how this practice has become so popular. It usually looks like they have turned on all lights regardless of color regs. When sailing at night I use running lights only per regs and I shine a spotlight on my sail for a moment if I want to insure a nearby boat has seen me.
with anchor light (masthead) on quite often and have found it confusing, I don't understand how this practice has become so popular. It usually looks like they have turned on all lights regardless of color regs. When sailing at night I use running lights only per regs and I shine a spotlight on my sail for a moment if I want to insure a nearby boat has seen me.
I assumed the post was referring to a tri-color.
If that were the case, maybe it would work legally. But you would still need to control it. You don't want it on all the time. Even if it caused no harm, in a marina it would look dorky.
If that were the case, maybe it would work legally. But you would still need to control it. You don't want it on all the time. Even if it caused no harm, in a marina it would look dorky.
I thought they just meant white, some
folks have them on transoms in my marina. Looks cute at the dock but not really functional. Too dim by far for anchor or transom light. Tri-color or contolled as described by C&J from RI seem like a good idea. Most LED's I've seen that are truly bright enough have been quite expensive and probably only practical for those who spend a lot of time on the hook without access to power.
folks have them on transoms in my marina. Looks cute at the dock but not really functional. Too dim by far for anchor or transom light. Tri-color or contolled as described by C&J from RI seem like a good idea. Most LED's I've seen that are truly bright enough have been quite expensive and probably only practical for those who spend a lot of time on the hook without access to power.
anchor light info
Follow the link for a detailed explanation of the colregs. I don't see any problem with a solar powered masthead, 360 deg light, as long as you can turn it off under certain circumstances (i.e. under power when you use the steaming light combined with your running lights. - or a tri-color). Please note that you don't need an anchor light if you are in a specially designated anchorage. So if your boat is on a mooring chances are the anchor light is unnecessary, check with local regs. By the way, I found this information by Google search... "colregs anchor light" it took 5 seconds.
Follow the link for a detailed explanation of the colregs. I don't see any problem with a solar powered masthead, 360 deg light, as long as you can turn it off under certain circumstances (i.e. under power when you use the steaming light combined with your running lights. - or a tri-color). Please note that you don't need an anchor light if you are in a specially designated anchorage. So if your boat is on a mooring chances are the anchor light is unnecessary, check with local regs. By the way, I found this information by Google search... "colregs anchor light" it took 5 seconds.
my boat doent have a anchor light...
Ok, sounds like I cant put the always on masthead light... fwiw, my boat came with the bow R/G, stern (180) and steaming, (270 forward). I guess I could only anchor in a designated anchorage, where no light was required.... I guess I could hang it from a halyard....
Ok, sounds like I cant put the always on masthead light... fwiw, my boat came with the bow R/G, stern (180) and steaming, (270 forward). I guess I could only anchor in a designated anchorage, where no light was required.... I guess I could hang it from a halyard....
From a distance
in the dark, how do you tell if the white light you see is an anchor light on top of the mast or a steaming light half way up?
in the dark, how do you tell if the white light you see is an anchor light on top of the mast or a steaming light half way up?
Anchor and steaming lights
An anchor light would be the only light displayed and would be visible anywhere on a 360 degree circumference of the boat. A steaming light would be displayed along with the red/green side lights and white stern light.It must be at least one meter higher than the side and stern lights and must display an arc of 225 degrees from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side. Steve Kamp
An anchor light would be the only light displayed and would be visible anywhere on a 360 degree circumference of the boat. A steaming light would be displayed along with the red/green side lights and white stern light.It must be at least one meter higher than the side and stern lights and must display an arc of 225 degrees from dead ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side. Steve Kamp
Bill, you hope the vessel is following the rules.
The steaming light should be above or below the running lights. (tricolor is above) And a steaming light can't be seen from the stern. And an anchor light must have 360 degree visibility so don't hang one on a halyard and expect to avoid collision liability. Let's see, what else? Oh, from a distance, who cares? Unless it's your boat. Then you know what to look for if you haven't had too many tasty adult beverages.
P.S. Whoa, Steve beat me to it and said it a lot better.
The steaming light should be above or below the running lights. (tricolor is above) And a steaming light can't be seen from the stern. And an anchor light must have 360 degree visibility so don't hang one on a halyard and expect to avoid collision liability. Let's see, what else? Oh, from a distance, who cares? Unless it's your boat. Then you know what to look for if you haven't had too many tasty adult beverages.
P.S. Whoa, Steve beat me to it and said it a lot better.Hanging from a halyard
Actually, an anchor light can be hoisted on a halyard in a way that's completely legal (360 deg. visibility). Mount it on the end of a pigstick. A pigstick is typically used to mount a club or private ensign. It's basically a stick that's tied at the bottom, and about halfway up. That way, when it's hoisted to the top of the mast, it sticks up higher than the mast. As for the original question, I agree with "the many" that say it's a bad idea to leave it up all the time. I frequently see folks on our lake running at night with the wrong lights (usually the anchor light while steaming). I'm able to figure out what they're doing, but it's still one of my pet peeves.
Actually, an anchor light can be hoisted on a halyard in a way that's completely legal (360 deg. visibility). Mount it on the end of a pigstick. A pigstick is typically used to mount a club or private ensign. It's basically a stick that's tied at the bottom, and about halfway up. That way, when it's hoisted to the top of the mast, it sticks up higher than the mast. As for the original question, I agree with "the many" that say it's a bad idea to leave it up all the time. I frequently see folks on our lake running at night with the wrong lights (usually the anchor light while steaming). I'm able to figure out what they're doing, but it's still one of my pet peeves.
Masthead not so good
Whilst I have a masthead anchor light I now prefer to hang a light over the foredeck at about head height. This is because, in a crowded anchorage it is all too easy to miss a light 60' above the water. A low light also slightly illuminates the whole boat so others can see what to miss.
Whilst I have a masthead anchor light I now prefer to hang a light over the foredeck at about head height. This is because, in a crowded anchorage it is all too easy to miss a light 60' above the water. A low light also slightly illuminates the whole boat so others can see what to miss.
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