yet another nav light question

[kpgraci]

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

Rules say anchor light must be displayed where it can best be seen...well that depends on whos looking, a small powerboat or an oil tanker. My take on the rules in general is if an accident happens everyone is at fault becuase you are charged with avoiding collissions; now one party may be more at fault than the other...Probably the only exception are vessells restricted in their movments or not under command, everyone else watch out.

There was also a thread floating around about LED anchor lights that have a blueish color being mistaken for a star, which is why there are color and intensity requirements.

 

[Maine Sail]

Guys,

All boats are required by law/COLREGS/CFR to meet vertical, horizontal, luminosity and color parameters. Best way to ensure this is to purchase lights that say USGC Xnm or ABYC A-16 certified.. Many, many, many lights fail compliance testing yet still wind up on the market.

Many lights sold as "navigation lights" do NOT legally meet the requirements of the COLREGS including products like the Davis Mega etc.... This does not stop companies from selling you lights that don't comply with the law, just forces you to do the homework to ensure you are following the law...

 

[shemandr]

I probably won't be anchoring where a tanker could pass by - I hope. I guess it's possible in a harbor, or emergency situation, but I avoid large vessels by anchoring in shallow water.
I haven't followed this entire thread, so I'm sorry if this is redundant. Do the law/COLREGS/CFR stipulations then make using only a kerosene lantern illegal?
I like to have a light at eye level for the operator of a small vessel. I've been struck by how much you need to look up at night to see a light on the masthead. I use my Anchor light which was (I sold that boat) at the masthead for legal requirements but would have something on at eye level too. I would not count on non sailors to know to look up while entering an anchorage. In anchorages I frequent it is common to have after dark arrivals and departures.