Anchor lights - where used?

[prv]

Of course, in some anchorages you don't have a choice. For example, Dart Harbour

2. All vessels that go to anchor at any anchorage within Dart Harbour must abide by the following items:
a. Vessels at anchor in the anchorage, or elsewhere, are to display the appropriate day and night lights, shapes or signals at all times. - See more at: http://www.dartharbour.org/anchoring....uSkcFWMv.dpuf

But presumably the people who are happy to ignore national law (The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996) would also be happy to ignore local byelaws?

Pete

 

[RupertW]

But presumably the people who are happy to ignore national law (The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996) would also be happy to ignore local byelaws?

Pete

Of course not - people are often willing to comply with inappropriate and pointless rules if they are likely to get caught.

 

[JumbleDuck]

But presumably the people who are happy to ignore national law (The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996) would also be happy to ignore local byelaws?

Pete

Have you seen many yachts display the required lights or shapes when towing a dinghy under power? The dinghy has to exhibit lights as well - no exemptions for a 2.3m inflatable.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Nor I. Of course, in some anchorages you don't have a choice. For example, Dart Harbour That means anywhere in the Dart up to Totnes.

In fairness we don't, strictly speaking, have a choice anywhere. COLREGS aren't supposed to be optional.

On the Dart I always use an anchor ball if I am at the Kingswear anchorage. There are so many boats going to and fro that I think it's best to do anything to warn them that I'm not underway.

 

[Kukri]

I treasure a memory of sailing down the Wallet overnight and into the Colne at first light, taking a couple of German friends and an Australian friend to see the Colne Smack and Barge Match about five years back.

As we entered the Colne all we could see were paraffin riding lights, hoisted on the forestays of the competitors at anchor in Pyefleet. It was a lovely scene as the dawn slowly came up from astern.

 

[NormanS]

Some boats on moorings, some anchored. All stationary, and all attached to the seabed, but some are required to have an anchor ball, and some are not. Why?

 

[RupertW]

Some boats on moorings, some anchored. All stationary, and all attached to the seabed, but some are required to have an anchor ball, and some are not. Why?

I've always put it down to the same reason that boats don't need anchor lights when at a marina - they are parked, in an expected place, and may be unattended for weeks on end so impractical to have lighting.

Doesn't help when coming into an unknown harbour at night, I know.