yet another nav light question

[kpgraci]

The COLREGS offer a variety of options for navigation lights on a < 12m sailboat, but as I already have colored sidelights on the bow and a white stern light, all I need is an anchor light and a steaming light.

So as I read the COLREGS navigation lights requirements I see rule 23 d(i) says in lieu of a masthead and stern light an all-around white light can be used on power-driver vessels <12m. This is actually what I see on most motor boats.

So if I add a simple all-around white light to the top of my mast it would act as an anchor light if I turn the other lights off, while sailing the bow and stern would be on and the all-around off, and when motoring under rule 23 d(i) I could turn on the bow lights and all-around and turn off the stern light.

I would use a 4 position rotary switch to select the proper light combinations of Off, Sailing, Steaming, or Anchored.
Having never seen this setup it makes me wonder where am I going wrong?

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Can't comment on the rest, but up at the mast head is THE worst possible place you can put an anchor light.. You want an anchor light to be seen by others in small boats, and early morning fishermen are NOT looking up that high.

It would be easily seen from a ship, but personally, I don't anchor where ships move around.

I hang mine from the backstay, up above boom height.

 

[Gunni]

Rather than mince the COLREGs, you should always have your red/green on at night. It gives other boaters awareness of your direction of travel and distinguishes you from the clutter of white lights. If motoring you need to show a white steaming light in declaration of your RoW status. Masthead lights can be difficult to see, especially close in...where you really need situational awareness

 

[Pat]

I may be mistaken, but isn''t there a requirement that the anchor light must be visible from a certain distance, but only if you are anchored. I do not think there is any requirement for a steaming light...bow lights and stern light are all that are required for a vessel under 26 ft. I believe....I don't think there is even a requirement for a masthead light in vessels under 26 or 27 ft. I may be incorrect. I will check Chapman's before the day is over. My 272 came with what is called anchor and separately, a steaming light, but the steaming light never has worked..... maybe I'm in violation when motoring or sailing across the lake because I use the bow, stern, and anchor light only...I turn off the running lights when anchored.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I think you're unnecessarily complicating things. The "masthead" light is often confused with the "steaming light" usually mounted on the forward side of the mast around spreader height. Don't use an all around white light at the top of your mast unless anchored.

 

[sesmith]

Another option is that you could install a mast light that has both the "steam light" and and the all around anchor light built into it. Use the steam light with your existing stern light, and light it all around for the anchor light. Out boat has an led light that does both. It's nice and bright. You don't overlook us in an anchorage.

Like fig 1 and fig 7 here:

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/content/general/4_2_b.php

 

[Bill Roosa]

Be sure to compare the current draws for each configuration. At anchor and under sail you will be on batteries, when under power you have a basically unlimited current supply so don't care how much current that configuration draws.
FWIW

 

[Benny17441]

The anchor light needs to provide 360 degree illumination while the steaming light is less than 180 degrees. Show your stern light when navigating at night. Both the steaming light and the stern light will provide indication of direction of travel. A single light cannot do that.

 

[kpgraci]

The anchor light needs to provide 360 degree illumination while the steaming light is less than 180 degrees. Show your stern light when navigating at night. Both the steaming light and the stern light will provide indication of direction of travel. A single light cannot do that.

Steaming or masthead light (same) is required to have a 225* angle. Combined with the 135* stern light you get 360*

I've often see sailboats motoring with the stern and anchor lights on, incorrectly.

 

[kpgraci]

Another option is that you could install a mast light that has both the "steam light" and and the all around anchor light built into it. Use the steam light with your existing stern light, and light it all around for the anchor light. Out boat has an led light that does both. It's nice and bright. You don't overlook us in an anchorage.

Like fig 1 and fig 7 here:

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/content/general/4_2_b.php

True, that's what I have now (but it stopped working). I'm going for fig 2 while motoring and fig 3 while sailing. Just wanted to know if there was anything "wrong" with that.

 

[kpgraci]

I think you're unnecessarily complicating things. The "masthead" light is often confused with the "steaming light" usually mounted on the forward side of the mast around spreader height. Don't use an all around white light at the top of your mast unless anchored.

I wasn't confused, but all-around (PI) probably the best answer. While I believe it is technically allowed it does seem weird to use the anchor light as an all-around when used with the bow lights to indicate motoring. Regs specify a minimum height, not a maximum for the all-around but the top of the mast seems too high. Mind you my mast is only 24'.

 

[Joe]

True, that's what I have now (but it stopped working). I'm going for fig 2 while motoring and fig 3 while sailing. Just wanted to know if there was anything "wrong" with that.

Ken... from my interpretation of the link it appears you would be subject to violation of inland or coastal regulations.... it states "international waters only" Are you seeing something I'm not?

 

[THECUSCUS]

With a small sailboat, to keep it simple, 4 lights and 3 switches. Port and starboard bow lights, stern light and all around white light at top of mast, each on its own switch. With this setup you can be legal in all situations with the minimum equipment.

 

[kpgraci]

Ken... from my interpretation of the link it appears you would be subject to violation of inland or coastal regulations.... it states "international waters only" Are you seeing something I'm not?

That particular link does say that...my copy of the rules "The One-Minute Guide to Nautical Rules of the Road", Charlie Wing, c2006 makes no such distincion. I had a copy of Chapmans but it was lost in a flood.

This link also does not stress international only... Rule 23 d(i)
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=navRulesContent#rule23

ahhh...inland its rule 23 (c)
http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/16000-16999/cim_16672_2d.pdf

So it apears it is allowed.

However I have already decided to add a masthead light at the spreaders so it's moot.

Many of the rules of the road are not followed by my fellow boaters on the lake and generally common sense keeps us apart, but it seems to me that at night correct lighting is important though I seldom see any sailboats doing it right.

 

[rgranger]

This is not exactly what you asked about but you did day your light stopped working. For an anchor light, a nice camping LED hung from the boom works. And IMHO is a lot safer. In a fog no one is going to see your puny little light at the top of the mast. And when the camping light starts to act up, you replace it without having to climb the mast. And you don't have a through deck connection to make. It is simple, it works... I have a light at the top of my mast, it still works but I don't use it. I don't want to draw down my house battery. My LED camping lantern I got at WalMart. It will work for 5 nights on a single set of batteries. And It does a great job of lighting up the cockpit. We sit out and play cards.

 

[Brian S]

Some other anchor light options

There is also the Davis Mega Light http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products/marine_product.asp?pnum=03300

and the open source re-engineering of the much loved Bebi Owl light, the FrankenBebi: http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products/marine_product.asp?pnum=03300 Unfortunately, the production ready kit or finished FrankenBebi hasn't been released yet, but you can sign up for email status updates.

If you have an older, shippy looking boat, a kerosene lantern is visible at 1 mile, the regulation for an anchor light. The Freurhand is a lovely looking option: http://smallcraftadvisor.com/store/product.php?productid=354&cat=8&page=1

This is not exactly what you asked about but you did day your light stopped working. For an anchor light, a nice camping LED hung from the boom works. And IMHO is a lot safer. In a fog no one is going to see your puny little light at the top of the mast. And when the camping light starts to act up, you replace it without having to climb the mast. And you don't have a through deck connection to make. It is simple, it works... I have a light at the top of my mast, it still works but I don't use it. I don't want to draw down my house battery. My LED camping lantern I got at WalMart. It will work for 5 nights on a single set of batteries. And It does a great job of lighting up the cockpit. We sit out and play cards.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Man, that IS a nice looking German built lantern.

And I like that description, "older shippy looking boats". Pretty cool..

 

[Pat]

On the O'Day 272, the mast light(s) are both at the top of mast..the switch can be set
to either anchor or steaming....but not both at the same time I assume...and in our case the steaming light has never worked...so we use the anchor light after dark...my point is that I don't think any masthead light is required in a boat under 26 ft...unless you are at anchor.

 

[rgranger]

kero-nokero

Man, that IS a nice looking German built lantern.

And I like that description, "older shippy looking boats". Pretty cool..

Brian & Chris

Here is an option w/out any kero...

 

[tommays]

This is of interest as always because a stationary barge by the tappan zee bridge was struck in 2013 with fatality's

And of course almost instantly the legality of its lighting was front and center no matter the BAC level of the boats operator and it is still and active court case