anchor light on an exposed mooring ?

[simonfraser]

my mooring is very exposed, easy to hit in the dark i'd say.
in fact some one hit it a month or so ago.

i could fit an led anchor light, poss against regs ?

but would that make the boat more attractive to local yobs / thiefs ?

what do you all think ?

 

[geoffatstanpit]

I fixed one of those garden lights to my pulpit with a couple of jubileee clips. Lasted one season and judging by the number of people who knocked on my door to tell me I'd left a light on on the boat it was well visible! Died before second season though so they're not very robust.

 

[Anonymous]

There is no maritime reg preventing you from showing a light on a mooring, unless there is a local bye-law on a local estuary, perhaps, but I can't see why. A fixed white on the masthead would be excellent and could be supported by solar panels. Maybe one of the type-approved LED versions would be best then you are fully legal for use when at anchor 'proper'.

Why should this attract thieves? I would have thought that they might think someone is on board? Then again I haven't got a criminal mind; you could ask the local coppers or river police what they think?

 

[dickh]

On the River Orwell, if you are staying on board on a swinging mooring, it's recommended you use an anchor light - even on a permanent mooring. After a large vessel some years back went careering through the moorings at night.

 

[neil_s]

A good idea, I'd say.

Neil

 

[catalac08]

I fixed a garden path solar powered light at the start of the season to my pushpit- initially i was a little sceptical about its value as it is not very bright but when it is really black it makes the boat very visible and it probably is visible for 1/3rd mile, easily far enough off to help a avoid other craft colliding with my boat at night. I will always have one of these in the future. Cheap and effective.

 

[Leighb]

Quite a few large vessels have run amok in the Orwell over the years, they have all claimed steering failure.

I guess if your steering fails you are not going to do anything to avoid hitting a yacht that happens to be showing a light in preference to one that isn't?

I would feel showing a light is something of an act of faith!

 

[Searush]

If it helps you sleep at night either on or off the boat, then it is well worth the few quid for an LED solar light.

 

[wotayottie]

got to help avoid accidents hasnt it? tbh I think the regs are irrelevant in this issue, and any insurer will only be pleased that you have made the effort. local chavs? well assuming the baot is afloat all tide, the local chavs wont be able to get to it. the local inshore fishermen (the ones who seem to nick everything round our way) will see it in daylight anyway.

personally I would do it, but your call!

 

[simonfraser]

yep, tend to agree with some thought, better to leave it on at night.

 

[VicMallows]

I rather doubt you will get a standard garden solar light to stay alight all night at this time of year over a sustained period. I find that with a pair of fully charged 1800mAh AA cells, a lamp will manage about 4 full nights (with the extra small daytime solar top-up.)

Vic