Anchor light position

[Zing]

Anchor lights are a particularly stupid thing. I have one to comply of course,, but it’s stupid, like so many rules. I put the rest on to be safe. Spreader, boom, sail and deck lights. Much more useful and given the low consumption of LEDs now it’s of little consequence to do that.

 

[thinwater]

Colregs 30b states:

(b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.


That prompts the question:

'Best be seen' by whom?

I want to 'best be seen' by anyone in charge of any vessel that might collide with mine.

In a small craft anchorage that means by people whose eyes are typically 1 to 3 metres above sea level, and that is the height at which I hang my anchor lamp.


This was brought home to me many years ago when I came to anchor in pitch darkness in a bay with steep hills behind on which were numerous white lights of buildings, street lamps etc.

Unnoticed, and unnoticeable, amongst these lights was the masthead anchor lamp of a dark-hulled yacht I came uncomfortably close to running into.

Back to to OP's question!

Just one little fact to interject. COLREGS state that the light can have up to 6 degrees blind (blocked by mast), and it is acceptable to have multiple lights to cover larger blind segments. This in explained more concisely in the COLREGS annex.

My usual combination is an anchor light in remote areas, way up a creek, and then add a cockpit light if I think there is any chance of late night or pre-dawn traffic. The cockpit light, under the hard top, illuminates much of the boat.

 

[DangerousPirate]

I love Tom Cunliffe's riding light but would be too nervous to sleep under a Molotov cocktail!

I think if it ever fell, it'll just go out and that's gonna be it. But I wouldn't like this little light because it's not very bright, and also hangs rather low. Old timey habit from Tom's youth, but I am not sure it is as good as a bright masthead LED light.

At OP: That's my opinion: Top of the mast to be seen from greater distances and behind potential visual obstructions. If you want to illuminate the deck, install lights at the spreader and under the boom. Friend of mine did this and it's amazing.

 

[wonkywinch]

Bung a few of these on, that'll sort the night from day.

 

[Dockhead]

No. LEDs and solar are so good now, why would I? No cost.

The main hazard will always be (in my expereince) drunks running around at night, in which case being legal is nice, but not getting hit is better.

Indeed. But best of all BOTH be legal AND be seen by all means necessary.

Another thing I learned from my accident is record in your log when you put the anchor light on!

 

[Boathook]

Colregs 30b states:

(b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.


That prompts the question:

'Best be seen' by whom?

I want to 'best be seen' by anyone in charge of any vessel that might collide with mine.

In a small craft anchorage that means by people whose eyes are typically 1 to 3 metres above sea level, and that is the height at which I hang my anchor lamp.


This was brought home to me many years ago when I came to anchor in pitch darkness in a bay with steep hills behind on which were numerous white lights of buildings, street lamps etc.

Unnoticed, and unnoticeable, amongst these lights was the masthead anchor lamp of a dark-hulled yacht I came uncomfortably close to running into.

I had the same problem in Cawsand, Plymouth years ago.