chinita
Well-Known Member
If I anchor in an area populated by permanant swinging moorings should I display an anchor light (or ball, by day, for that matter)? If so, why? If at anchor I am - by some definitions - moored!
anchor lights in designated mooring areas
- Thread starter chinita
- Start date
jimmynoboat
Well-Known Member
For what it's worth I'd say you should be able to do without. But I'm no oracle - I'll be very interested to see what others think.
Is this post the result of some argument on the subject?
Is this post the result of some argument on the subject?
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Legally yes, but not when on a mooring.
However, in some circumstances, it may be prudent * to display a light at night even when on a mooring... no real need for an anchor ball ever though when on the mooring..., and you would certainly not hear complaints from other water users should you choose to show an anchor light....
* such as on a mooring alongside a busy big ship channel, or on a very dark night when on the outside of a bend in a river.....
You are not 'moored' when at anchor... you are anchored... and the colregs light requirements treat them very differently, so show the correct lights and dayshapes
However, in some circumstances, it may be prudent * to display a light at night even when on a mooring... no real need for an anchor ball ever though when on the mooring..., and you would certainly not hear complaints from other water users should you choose to show an anchor light....
* such as on a mooring alongside a busy big ship channel, or on a very dark night when on the outside of a bend in a river.....
You are not 'moored' when at anchor... you are anchored... and the colregs light requirements treat them very differently, so show the correct lights and dayshapes
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Will add that last year users of the Orwell were recommended by the port authorities to show an anchor light when on the moorings and on board after a collision between a moored yacht and a ship navigating the channel... so the act of showing an anchor light when on a mooring does have some 'official' support at least
Matrosen
Well-Known Member
I always show a light at night and a ball by day, regardless of where I am anchored, so that insurance companies have one less excuse to try and wriggle out of paying in the event of an incident.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
I'd expect an anchor light if you're anchoring as anybody who knows the moorings won't expect to see you there. If on a mooring, though, it seems to me that it's entirely impractical to have a light showing when the boat is unattended for weeks.
Bet there's some kind of solar light available at B&Q though, these days to make it a bit more possible.
Bet there's some kind of solar light available at B&Q though, these days to make it a bit more possible.
DaveS
Well-Known Member
B&Q Solar Anchor Lights
Indeed there is: I bought 10 of them for £20 a few weeks ago. So I now have one on the boat, another as a spare, a few stuck in the garden (their original purpose) and a box of a dozen or so which I'd be happy to pass on at £2 each...
Indeed there is: I bought 10 of them for £20 a few weeks ago. So I now have one on the boat, another as a spare, a few stuck in the garden (their original purpose) and a box of a dozen or so which I'd be happy to pass on at £2 each...
ColinHuggins
N/A
[ QUOTE ]
it seems to me that it's entirely impractical to have a light showing when the boat is unattended for weeks.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, that's what I would have thought. But a large boat on about the fifth mooring into Mill Rythe (that's my local creek leading to the boatyard) ALWAYS leaves a light in the shrouds. I was returning the other day and and actually saw someone on board and thanked him. Being late on the tide (quelle surprise) didn't have time to ask how it was powered but it looked to be 12V, powered by a solar panel maybe?
He's just protecting himself, but I do wish he was on the very first mooring - that would be so much more use when groping my way home!
it seems to me that it's entirely impractical to have a light showing when the boat is unattended for weeks.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, that's what I would have thought. But a large boat on about the fifth mooring into Mill Rythe (that's my local creek leading to the boatyard) ALWAYS leaves a light in the shrouds. I was returning the other day and and actually saw someone on board and thanked him. Being late on the tide (quelle surprise) didn't have time to ask how it was powered but it looked to be 12V, powered by a solar panel maybe?
He's just protecting himself, but I do wish he was on the very first mooring - that would be so much more use when groping my way home!
awol
Well-Known Member
If it's a crowded moorings and I'm going back to the boat in the dark, I leave the anchor light on. Makes it a lot easier to find the thing.
So please don't leave your anchor lights on - it might confuse me.
So please don't leave your anchor lights on - it might confuse me.
machurley22
Well-Known Member
Re: B&Q Solar Anchor Lights
I'll take one as a spare.
I've had one hanging on the guard rail for a couple of years now and there's nothing better for finding your way back after the pub, whether anchored, moored or alongside!
I'll take one as a spare.
I've had one hanging on the guard rail for a couple of years now and there's nothing better for finding your way back after the pub, whether anchored, moored or alongside!
ColinHuggins
N/A
[ QUOTE ]
Please don't leave your anchor lights on - it might confuse me.
[/ QUOTE ]
IMHO a spreader light shining down onto the deck is a better option for showing where you are (or finding your way back.)
Raggie option only of course . . .
Please don't leave your anchor lights on - it might confuse me.
[/ QUOTE ]
IMHO a spreader light shining down onto the deck is a better option for showing where you are (or finding your way back.)
Raggie option only of course . . .
Hermit
Well-Known Member
Re: B&Q Solar Anchor Lights
[ QUOTE ]
Indeed there is: I bought 10 of them for £20 a few weeks ago. So I now have one on the boat, another as a spare, a few stuck in the garden (their original purpose) and a box of a dozen or so which I'd be happy to pass on at £2 each...
[/ QUOTE ]
I can't quite work out the maths on this!!!
[ QUOTE ]
Indeed there is: I bought 10 of them for £20 a few weeks ago. So I now have one on the boat, another as a spare, a few stuck in the garden (their original purpose) and a box of a dozen or so which I'd be happy to pass on at £2 each...
[/ QUOTE ]
I can't quite work out the maths on this!!!
machurley22
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
IMHO a spreader light shining down onto the deck is a better option for showing where you are (or finding your way back.)
[/ QUOTE ]
Certainly, but the solar-powered light doesn't drain your battery and switches itself on whether you're there or not.
IMHO a spreader light shining down onto the deck is a better option for showing where you are (or finding your way back.)
[/ QUOTE ]
Certainly, but the solar-powered light doesn't drain your battery and switches itself on whether you're there or not.
longjohnsadler
Well-Known Member
Lest ye forget
Possibly better illumination on pontoons might prevent more accidental night swimming as well?
Possibly better illumination on pontoons might prevent more accidental night swimming as well?
chinita
Well-Known Member
Re: B&Q Solar Anchor Lights
Thanks for all the comments so far. I am, however, still puzzled by the characteristics an anchored boat may display as opposed to a 'moored' boat which requires the displaying of a visual signal. If you approached two boats, one at anchor and one moored - how would you tell the difference?
Thanks for all the comments so far. I am, however, still puzzled by the characteristics an anchored boat may display as opposed to a 'moored' boat which requires the displaying of a visual signal. If you approached two boats, one at anchor and one moored - how would you tell the difference?
machurley22
Well-Known Member
Re: Lest ye forget
Indubitably.
Indubitably.
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
Wrong question?
A moored boat would be on a mooring, and as someone else has said would be where others expected a boat to be. A boat at anchor, by definition, is where the skipper wants to park it. Even amongst moorings the boat will be where boats usually aren't.
So your question "how do you tell the difference" is perhaps leading you down a fruitless line of logic. You don't have to tell the difference you have to tell whether there is a boat there in the first place.
A moored boat would be on a mooring, and as someone else has said would be where others expected a boat to be. A boat at anchor, by definition, is where the skipper wants to park it. Even amongst moorings the boat will be where boats usually aren't.
So your question "how do you tell the difference" is perhaps leading you down a fruitless line of logic. You don't have to tell the difference you have to tell whether there is a boat there in the first place.
Gordonmc
Well-Known Member
Re: B&Q Solar Anchor Lights
Last Saturday night I got to my own mooring at seriously dark o'clock and had to go through the mooring to approach head-to-wind. I know the position of neighbouring moorings... an unlit anchored stranger would have been a different matter.
In daytime, I don't see a need for marks.
There are other issues about anchoring in a mooring area, like fouling and being fouled on ground tackle, but that's another debate.
Last Saturday night I got to my own mooring at seriously dark o'clock and had to go through the mooring to approach head-to-wind. I know the position of neighbouring moorings... an unlit anchored stranger would have been a different matter.
In daytime, I don't see a need for marks.
There are other issues about anchoring in a mooring area, like fouling and being fouled on ground tackle, but that's another debate.
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
Re: B&Q Solar Anchor Lights
An anchored boat must show a ball by day and a light in the forward part of the boat, by night. A moored boat on a permanent mooring, does not need to show any light or day shape.
But does it matter whether its moored or anchored, just keep a sharp look out and dont run into it!
An anchored boat must show a ball by day and a light in the forward part of the boat, by night. A moored boat on a permanent mooring, does not need to show any light or day shape.
But does it matter whether its moored or anchored, just keep a sharp look out and dont run into it!
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Re: B&Q Solar Anchor Lights
Just one minor correction there....
[entering pedantic mode]
the anchor light doesn't have to be in the forward part of the boat...
"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."
[exiting pedantic mode]
Just one minor correction there....
[entering pedantic mode]
the anchor light doesn't have to be in the forward part of the boat...
"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."
[exiting pedantic mode]
