Anchor Ball

[sailaboutvic]

I don't doubt you for a second, it was a reply to Prodave in post 48- I'm well aware that the vast majority are not and never will be charted (or notified to the Crown Estate ?).
It's a forum, I just threw it into the mix! Sorry for missing a smile on the original post

 

[Poignard]

From chart 5011:
View attachment 139286

Thank you for cutting and pasting the excerpt from Chart NP 5011. A most useful publication that I always carry on board, and consult when necessary.

But you need not have put yourself to the trouble since I, and I am sure everyone else here, is well aware that designated areas of small craft moorings are often shown on charts.

But anyone relying on your assertion that "Moorings are, or should be, charted." and assuming that where none are charted, none exist, is likely to find himself in trouble.

All we can say with any degree of certainty is that where areas of small craft moorings are shown on a chart they will be there but there will also be many that are not.

As for the innumerable individual or small isolated clusters of small craft moorings around the world, there is not a cat in Hell's chance of them being shown on a chart. And I doubt anyone would want them to be.

 

[Poignard]

Duplicate deleted ?

 

[sailaboutvic]

Thank you for cutting and pasting the excerpt from Chart NP 5011. A most useful publication that I always carry on board, and consult when necessary.

But you need not have put yourself to the trouble since I, and I am sure everyone else here, is well aware that designated areas of small craft moorings are often shown on charts.

But anyone relying on your assertion that "Moorings are, or should be, charted." and assuming that where none are charted, none exist, is likely to find himself in trouble.

All we can say with any degree of certainty is that where areas of small craft moorings are shown on a chart they will be there but there will also be many that are not.

As for the innumerable individual or small isolated clusters of small craft moorings around the world, there is not a cat in Hell's chance of them being shown on a chart.

Bloody ybw really need to sort out their site double posting keep happing to me and far as trying to write a post without missing bits or juSt stopping half way throught

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Does anyone carry 2 ‘anchor balls’? Around the Solent, I often see boats that appear to need them.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Does anyone carry 2 ‘anchor balls’? Around the Solent, I often see boats that appear to need them.

I alway carry two balls but it be very painful to hang them up

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I alway carry two balls but it be very painful to hang them up

I’m sure. But you must exhibit 2 black balls when not under command. It’s kind of admitting one's shame for running aground, and serves as a warning for others not to approach too closely.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I’m sure. But you must exhibit 2 black balls when not under command. It’s kind of admitting one's shame for running aground, and serves as a warning for others not to approach too closely.

Believe me when I say the balls im talking about you won't want to hang up any time

 

[Roberto]

Does anyone carry 2 ‘anchor balls’?

I do; the situation I thought about is being singlehanded outside radio range and catching a fever or other impediment requiring to lay on a berth and not necessarily needing a Mayday, I'd hoist them in the hope some other curious ship would stop and check what is going on. Crossing fingers never used them.

 

[capnsensible]

I’m sure. But you must exhibit 2 black balls when not under command. It’s kind of admitting one's shame for running aground, and serves as a warning for others not to approach too closely.

Not quite. The day shapes for Not Under Command are two black ball shapes. This indicates that for some reason,the vessel is unable to maneuver as required by the rules. Often associated with engine or steering gear failure.

A third is added to indicate that a vessel is aground.

 

[mjcoon]

Not quite. The day shapes for Not Under Command are two black ball shapes. This indicates that for some reason,the vessel is unable to maneuver as required by the rules. Often associated with engine or steering gear failure.

A third is added to indicate that a vessel is aground.

Three golden balls to advertise a pawn show?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Not quite. The day shapes for Not Under Command are two black ball shapes. This indicates that for some reason,the vessel is unable to maneuver as required by the rules. Often associated with engine or steering gear failure.

A third is added to indicate that a vessel is aground.

Surely nobody on a yacht carries 3 though. And aground, you’re certainly not under command. But clearly you are correct. I’d still consider elevating both my balls, though I lack a 3rd, if I were aground and unable to move. Though of course if I were hard aground, I'd be a navigation hazard to children paddling, not other boats.

 

[capnsensible]

Surely nobody on a yacht carries 3 though. And aground, you’re certainly not under command. But clearly you are correct. I’d still consider elevating both my balls, though I lack a 3rd, if I were aground and unable to move. Though of course if I were hard aground, I'd be a navigation hazard to children paddling, not other boats.

It's more about the thousands of other vessels you may encounter over the years, not about the kit you may....or may not....carry on your own boat. In my opinion.

 

[johnalison]

I anchored for lunch yesterday and didn't display a ball. I will probably end up in hell.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I anchored for lunch yesterday and didn't display a ball. I will probably end up in hell.

Depends where you anchor, IMHO. Some places, it’s very much necessary, others not at all. We stick ours up mostly, but probably not for an out of the way lunch stop.

 

[Roberto]

Surely nobody on a yacht carries 3 though.

I have three, 2 for NUC + one for anchoring. IIRC both 2 NUC balls (+2 red 360 lights) and anchoring one are required for MCA coded boats, of which there might be a significant number on the water. Quite likely they are hardly ever used.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I have three, 2 for NUC + one for anchoring. IIRC both 2 NUC balls (+2 red 360 lights) and anchoring one are required for MCA coded boats, of which there might be a significant number on the water. Quite likely they are hardly ever used.

We have just 2, identical, the usual slot together things. I can’t imagine any circumstance when we’d need 3, as running aground we can almost always pole off, or just get off and push, assuming it’s not waist deep mud! We don’t have the lights to match, we’d better be sure to retain command of our boat after dark! We’re unlikely to break stuff at night, we always slow down. A reef or 2, it seems a good idea when you can’t see so well. Obviously we are not, and never will be, MCA coded

 

[franksingleton]

On our HR34, even just anchoring for lunch we fly a ball. We keep it in the anchor locker on a small shelf. Having a furling Genoa, we simply tie it with a clove hitch to the Genoa sheets. Staying longer, we take a line below the ball to a convenient place on deck. Without a furling Genoa, we would use the storm jib Hilliard. One minute maximum. So simple, it may help other boats, So, why not? It is hardly the trauma suggested by some posters.?

 

[Poignard]

Not quite. The day shapes for Not Under Command are two black ball shapes. This indicates that for some reason,the vessel is unable to maneuver as required by the rules. Often associated with engine or steering gear failure.

A third is added to indicate that a vessel is aground.

Sometimes known as the Chief Engineer's house flag.

 

[R.Ems]

I have three, 2 for NUC + one for anchoring. IIRC both 2 NUC balls (+2 red 360 lights) and anchoring one are required for MCA coded boats, of which there might be a significant number on the water. Quite likely they are hardly ever used.

That's very interesting, I didn't know coded yachts need NUC signals. As you say, probably rarely used.

On the other hand, it makes me wonder what kit is mandated in the Blue Book, which is unknown to cruisers but might actually be a great idea to have on board.