Anchor Ball.

[Manuel]

Is there a specified size for an anchor ball?

Reason I ask is due to space constraints .

A major point about anchor balls is to distinguish someone on a mooring buoy from someone lying to an anchor as the scope is very different. The other is for large vessels when you need to know what its intentions are and you find you are looking for water down the hawsepipe or chain to find out what is happening.

For most small yachts leaving the anchor locker open is a perfectly good and acceptable sign if you have an opening anchor locker, with the appropriate light at night. If you are an occasional anchorer and have a suitable locker hatch, that is probably your best bet.

 

[Leonidas]

Why do you think someone would not be responsible for hitting a boat that was not displaying an anchor ball? You have a responsibility to avoid a collision under any conditions and I don't think "He wasn't displaying an anchor ball..." would be the best defence for hitting a stationary boat.

Indeed> But would that someone know that the vessel is at anchor and as such cannot manouvre and take evasive action if a collision is iminent? There is no such a thing as 100% blame in a collision situation.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I would regard a persons right to display their feelings of belonging to a particular part of the 'union' via a 'their' ensign worn on a yacht they may well have sweated blood to be able to afford as a democratic right far more important than your Daily Mail sensibilities. Most do so with tongue firmly in cheek anyhow.

Quite so. My vessel wears a Scottish 'Saltire Ensign' much of the time, mainly to annoy the Flagiban (persons unreasonably preoccupied with rules regarding ensigns, burgees and vexillological matters in general).

 

[Heckler]

Quite so. My vessel wears a Scottish 'Saltire Ensign' much of the time, mainly to annoy the Flagiban (persons unreasonably preoccupied with rules regarding ensigns, burgees and vexillological matters in general).

Be interesting to see what Monsoor Froggie with a big gun would say when presented with such a flag!
Stu

 

[andygc]

My vessel wears a Scottish 'Saltire Ensign' much of the time, mainly to annoy the Flagiban

Pity it's not mainly because you are proud to be Scottish. I may not like the Cornish "ensign", but at least the Cornish fly it because of their pride in what they are.

 

[l'escargot]

...There is no such a thing as 100% blame in a collision situation.

Rubbish, of course there is. You run into the back of a boat instead of overtaking it or hit a moored boat or one tied to the pontoon no one else is going to get blamed.

 

[ianc1200]

I bought a plastic cistern ball/float thingy, painted it black, screwed in with epoxy a closed hook, and somehow it's much more convenient than the folding ones which are sold.

IanC

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Huge commercial ships seem to use the same size anchor ball as we do - about 12'. It's usually easier to spot the anchor chain than the minuscule anchor ball. So I wouldn't worry about a yacht one being a tad small.

How big a yacht do you have?



If it is in the 20 - 40'0" range where do you stow this 12' diameter ball

 

[tinkicker0]

I bought a plastic cistern ball/float thingy, painted it black, screwed in with epoxy a closed hook, and somehow it's much more convenient than the folding ones which are sold.

IanC

That's about the same size as my foam football.

It's a swine when they say one must fly a shape at anchor, then not give any specifications as to size.

I can only conclude from the solutions and opinions proposed by the esteemed members of the forum that the requirement for small vessels is merely to display a black ball, whatever size it is and it is up to passing vessels to make sure they see it and don't run foul of the anchor line.

Thanks all.

 

[Manuel]

I can only conclude from the solutions and opinions proposed by the esteemed members of the forum that the requirement for small vessels is merely to display a black ball, whatever size it is and it is up to passing vessels to make sure they see it and don't run foul of the anchor line.

The ball is to inform people of your status, not your presence. If you can't see the yacht you won't be able to see the ball, either.

You would have to pass dangerously close to any vessel to risk fouling their anchor chain.

The anchor light at night serves two purposes, to show your presence and your status.

 

[Leonidas]

Rubbish, of course there is. You run into the back of a boat instead of overtaking it or hit a moored boat or one tied to the pontoon no one else is going to get blamed.

Interesting assessment. Are we then suggesting that the display of the black ball to warn other vessels that a vessel is at anchor, is totally irrelevant ???
In fact, it is common practice in the Med for mega yachts to display the black ball even when moored stern to .

 

[Manuel]

the Med for mega yachts to display the black ball even when moored stern to .

That's a special case. The are anchored, using their own anchors, not moored and they remove the ball just before leaving. It tells everyone that they are about to go. With sea breezes they often have to get out quite quickly and cannot hold station.

 

[l'escargot]

Interesting assessment. Are we then suggesting that the display of the black ball to warn other vessels that a vessel is at anchor, is totally irrelevant ???
In fact, it is common practice in the Med for mega yachts to display the black ball even when moored stern to .

No, I am saying your statement that there is "...no such thing as 100% blame in a collision.." is rubbish - it is.

I said nothing about a black ball being irrelevant, it is a requirement of colregs that boats anchored display one.

They should not be displayed when moored to a quay even if "common practice" and wouldn't your argument of it having insurance implications for being a contravention of colregs come into play in such a case?

 

[Manuel]

They should not be displayed when moored to a quay even if "common practice"

All of the superyachts along the Riviera display a ball when using an anchor stern-to. I understand your point about the letter of the regs but there could not be a clearer instance of practice taking precedence over regulation. The superyacht skippers are highly trained and qualified and they are effectively professional ships captains. It could be that there are local by-laws requiring it.

 

[benjenbav]

Last Sunday we were anchored in a busy anchorage in the midst of which people were pottering about in tenders, sailing dinghies were working their way to and from the beach and some people were even swimming.

Inevitably some larger boats were underway, either leaving the anchorage or finding a place to anchor and it seemed to me to be quite helpful (as well as compliant) that many of the anchored boats were showing a black ball. Helpful, that is, in the sense of being able to predict what they were likely to do or not do.

I mention this because I was not displaying the correct shape, having temporarily mislaid mine and I was feeling particularly conscious of the lack thereof.

 

[Manuel]

I mention this because I was not displaying the correct shape, having temporarily mislaid mine and I was feeling particularly conscious of the lack thereof.

Don't lose too much sleep over it. An anchor ball only says that you have put your anchor down, not that you are attached to the sea-bed (anchors tend to drag). The warp or chain by itself is probably enough in most cases but if you think someone might think you are moored on a buoy then open the anchor locker or put out the ball. It really isn't a big deal. Similarly, what (experienced) skipper needs to see a motoring cone to know that the other vessel is under power?

Anchor balls are not often vital.

Anchor lights ARE vital and should conform and be recognisable.

 

[Leonidas]

No, I am saying your statement that there is "...no such thing as 100% blame in a collision.." is rubbish - it is.

I said nothing about a black ball being irrelevant, it is a requirement of colregs that boats anchored display one.

They should not be displayed when moored to a quay even if "common practice" and wouldn't your argument of it having insurance implications for being a contravention of colregs come into play in such a case?

There is no point in continuing this. You are obviously unfamiliar with how settlement of claims in marine insurance operate in a collision case when two underwtiters are involved and mitigation of loss is pursued by either party. I therefore suggest you consult an average adjuster or a practicing member of the LMA . Nevertheless, I guess everyone is entitled to their views. Putting it to test, is another matter.

 

[laurance]

All of the superyachts along the Riviera display a ball when using an anchor stern-to. I understand your point about the letter of the regs but there could not be a clearer instance of practice taking precedence over regulation. The superyacht skippers are highly trained and qualified and they are effectively professional ships captains. It could be that there are local by-laws requiring it.

Belonging as I do to the profession you refer to in your post, my impression is that many of my contemporaries display their balls (well how do you want me to phrase it) when Med-moored merely because, 'one does'. The practice does not stand up to scrutiny in my view. Held against a quay with twin anchors and a web of mooring lines aft is clearly not anchored, is it? The same need to announce that one cannot manouvre in accordance with the rules certainly does not seem apply.
Some Captains, if pressed, will tell you it is to warn passing vessels of the presence of their anchor chains, which is nearly a reason, so why do we not see those same Captains display anchor lights when sun has gone down. The point made earlier that the striking of the ball (ouch) effectively signals a yacht's intention to leave is, I think, the only reason for displaying ones ball that holds water.

I have been weak enough before now when moored in line with lots other yachts to allow the display of our ball so the crew could feel they were keeping up standards in line with our neighbours. The cult of keeping up appearances.

Thank you also for thinking so highly of the profession. There is not a drunken, paranoid megalomaniac incompetent among us! Nor in the merchant service neither.

 

[l'escargot]

There is no point in continuing this. You are obviously unfamiliar with how settlement of claims in marine insurance operate in a collision case when two underwtiters are involved and mitigation of loss is pursued by either party. I therefore suggest you consult an average adjuster or a practicing member of the LMA . Nevertheless, I guess everyone is entitled to their views. Putting it to test, is another matter.

Supercilious twaddle. I could give examples of claims were in circumstances similar to those that I have quoted blame was apportioned totally to one party, despite loss adjusters being involved. I guess the insurance companies didn't share your views- no matter how they might wriggle, sometimes someone is totally to blame.

 

[cliffordpope]

A vessel with two anchors down is moored, not anchored.(Admiralty Handbook of Seamanship, Vol 1, dimly remembered from 45 years ago)
Should it display a black ball, or not?