Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

[MedDreamer]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

Because its a motor boat forum, it was something I have observed and I just thought it might be interesting to discuss.

Isn't that what the forum is for?

 

[Aardee]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

Sorry, no offence intended. "Who does...?" is a fair question, it just looks like a simple question about a simple procedure is slowly being talked to death (nothing new there then...)

I think the point I was trying to make is that for such little effort, why would you not use a ball & light?

FWIW, One thing I noticed in the CI's last summer is that the Brits & Dutch generally do, while the Frenchies don't.

Graham.

 

[tcm]

No, i don't think they would be fine and clear to whack you anchored if you had no anchor ball, but as i sed it wd be mentioned in any report. It's just that i suppose putting an anchor ball up is the easy peasiest bit of boating safety possible i suppose.

However, if i had a collision with another boat I wd most certainly report if they did/didn't have correct shapes showing.

In the extreme, anchor ball-wise, supposing your anchor drags and (showing an anchor ball) you gently crucnh into another anchored boat but which is NOT showing an anchor ball. He comes on deck and goes potty. But surely, you say, didn't *he* crashed into *you* - as he isn't anchored (no anchor ball) whereas you are anchored! This wd makem go bonkers. And true, sort of. He's not in a strong position at any rate. Or not in the position he should be in.

Seriously, all the more reason to show an anchor ball i suppose.

Separately btw, if you have an anchor ball up in uk especially, you are very noticeably correct in contrast to the majority. I think (no proof of course) that it keeps other boats a bit of extra distance clear - it visibly marks you out as not a boat to be trifled with, the one who does things properly rather than others who say nah don't bother with this or that. This might be useful at some later stage, and can't be a disadvantage. Othe obsevers might well remeber that there was the boat with anchor ball, and some others...

Incidentally, it is not true that medreamer never uses an anchor ball. He did- altho admittedly that was when he was on our boat...

 

[Gludy]

[ QUOTE ]
it visibly marks you out as not a boat to be trifled with

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean it shows that someone has the balls to deal with you? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[tcm]

Well there's a first- you've banjaxed yer own thread!

 

[Gludy]

This is not my thread - what does 'banjaxed' mean?

 

[tcm]

oops

oops. It seemed you took great interest so i thort it yours.

banjaxed - generally wrecking or ruining (in this case) a thread by slinging in some trite comment, gag, double entendre or other whimsical/ tangential thought.

Described by others as the point at which the thread "goes funny" i reckon most threads have run their useful course at about 30 or often a lot less.

 

[mjf]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

No Gludy - not making way only 'under way' ie not at anchor, aground or made fast.

Huge huge difference.

 

[Gludy]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

But they may think you are makingway and hence take the wrong action. After all, in daylight a Mobo without any sign can be either underway or making way - the difference is down to observation.

So my point still stands.

 

[Col]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

On another note, how many of you carry a radar reflecter as per SOLAS regs??

 

[duncan]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

no - you are deliberiately missing the point ( /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif)

you cannot assume that a boat is making way - what would you do faced with a boat showing both an anchor ball and having it's mainsail raised - re collregs?

 

[brianrunyard]

I understood they weren't required in a recognised anchorage.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

[ QUOTE ]

On another note, how many of you carry a radar reflecter as per SOLAS regs??

[/ QUOTE ]

I will have a radar reflector as from this season. Didn't know you needed one until reading this forum.


I always display an anchor ball on the wheelhouse roof. Trouble is, on two occasions I have forgotten to take it down after weighing anchor.

Think post it note on windscreen is in order next time.

 

[Hurricane]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

Just been doing the research on radar reflectors that comply with Solas V.
There's only one make I can find that actually complies with the regs - Echomax EM230 (not the midi) and their larger one - the EM305.
I cant find any others that actually meet the regs.

SeaMe does of course but I dont like the idea of active - only works on one of the two bands anyway.

Has anyone come across any others that actually meet the regs?

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

most small boats can't make the regs, which is why it was taken with a pinch of salt when the regs came out

The same applies to colregs and vhf. Commonsense applies at some point, after we've had fun with them. Don't mention Solas, it's even more of a hoot.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

[ QUOTE ]
I can understand the relevance for boats anchored in deep water close to shipping channels, but fail to see that having an anchor ball up is going to make a smidgen of difference to whether someone ploughs into you whilst at anchor in Newtown Creek or any other sheltered anchorage where I would consider dropping the hook. If they can't see the boat they're unlikely to spot the ball.

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite often on a summers evening yachts tend to anchor outside our harbour entrance, whether waiting for water or just having a last drink before popping in. None ever show an anchor ball or light, some even leave their nav lights on.

So here we come on our way home, 3 or 4 yachts heading to the entrance back off, slow down, come on lads we can't get much slower without stopping, oh, you are anchored between the fairway and entrance, nice move!

It winds me up no end, a simple hoist and we could have got in without stress of joining a none queue.

Just an example of one reason why you should show one, need some more?

 

[landaftaf]

if you collide with an unlit or improperly marked anchored boat two things will happen if taken to court.

1)both will be apportioned blame

2)the level of blame apportioned will be proportionate to following/ignoring the colregs

simple reason for complying with the colregs innit /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Gludy]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

Nope you are missing my entire point! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I am talking about say a raggied hitting you when you are at anchor - the fact you have no ball up leaves him open to say that he thought you were making way and hence he had right of way. Its not me assuming anything - its what the raggie who hit you could claim. He would not be without fault but it would be all his fault if you had the ball up.

 

[bob_tyler]

"We always display an anchor ball, mainly to ensure we are covered in the event of a collision."

Even when under way?

 

[mjf]

Re: Anchor Balls & Anchor Lights

You keep on about making way.

If you are under wayyou have obligations under the rules.


underway and making way are different.


As another poster has said is a PITA arriving at a busy anchorage and trying to work out who is actually anchored - who is underway and who is underway and making way.

Couple of years ago at the Cowes fireworks you had the heady blend of people at anchor with steaming lights on, people anchored with no lights on, and then on run home the world and his brother heading back to base with anchor lights only, no lights at all and even one chap with side lights mounted the wrong way around.