Irish Rover
Well-Known Member
Wouldn't I need to be able to find the boat in order to know where to point the cameraThis is my radar reflector reaction to the flash of a camera about 30-40m down below
View attachment 209484
Find anchored yacht in dark.
- Thread starter vic008
- Start date
Roberto
Well-Known Member
Just wave a torchlight from 100-200-300m and you ll see it. I think it s the same type used on some lateral buoys, one shines a torch towards the bow the and the red/green stripes appear, very effective. Ex these buoys are all fitted with the coloured reflective tape, they are at 100-400m distances and one can definitely hop from one to the following using a spotlight (old 50w halogen)Wouldn't I need to be able to find the boat in order to know where to point the camera
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Irish Rover
Well-Known Member
If I could find where my boat is first I'd know where to shine the torch
. Where to you buy these exvlusive one-off reflectors that no one else can have?
Roberto
Well-Known Member
The reflector is a basic Echomax, I just put two Solas retroreflective adhesive tapes over it, as sold by normal chandlers.If I could find where my boat is first I'd know where to shine the torch
Minerva
Well-Known Member
It’s early season, most anchorages are fairly quiet. Surely your anchor light is fairly conspicuous…?
Not getting blootered in the pub would probably help too
Not getting blootered in the pub would probably help too
14K478
Well-Known Member
Hoist and set a riding light in the fore part of the vessel where it can best be seen.
FFS!
FFS!
Neeves
Well-Known Member
An anchor light in the foretriangle is quite acceptable, as an anchor light, and if you choose same with care it will be LED, see 1st sentence Post #5, and illuminate the foredeck.
Anyone travelling too fast will not be looking up in the sky to see your anchor light, which can simply look like a bright star - most people travelling on the water are focussed at what is ahead - and the frequency with which jet skis hit anchored yachts confirms same.
Jonathan
dunedin
Well-Known Member
A sudden change in plans and unexpectedly delayed return is often the biggest risk - whether due to problems, or simply bumping unexpectedly into a friend on the shore and accepting hospitality.
For this and other reasons we have an LED solar powered lamp attached to the pushpit. This comes on every night automatically from April to October. Main reason is extra visibility of the boat for others, especially on moorings where anchor lights are generally not used. But also invaluable in the unexpected late return situation.
If expected late return leave some LED cabin lights on as well as an anchor light (though again often not used on moorings).
PS Our usual anchor light hangs under the boom, not on the foredeck. We almost never anchor in rivers. And in bays any sensible boater will be anchored with wind blowing offshore, so the vast majority of approaching vessels coming in late will be approaching from astern, not the bows. Hence foredeck is the least effective location whereas behind the mast is “where can be most effectively seen”.
RunAgroundHard
Well-Known Member
I have placed SOLAS tape, the reflective tape approved for use at sea (in marine environments and high reflectivity) on my lifebelts. They reflect light remarkably well and stand out clearly at night. It is enough to recognise my boat even amongst others that have tape on their lifebelts. On some boats I have seen it on the lower section of th east, above the sail cover as well as on the boom. Obviously take a torch with you if coming back after dark. If it's foggy ...
RunAgroundHard
Well-Known Member
That is just not true. Even when the mast is in transit with the anchor light on the foredeck the loom allows the boat to be marked by light very easily.
Tamar
Well-Known Member
Me and my 4 brothers had this exact dilemma sailing in the greek islands. We went ashore had a few beers and of course going back to the boat in the dark was interesting, it didn't help that our boat was similar to all the rest of the rental boats anchored there.
There it is I said, we clambered onboard only for the owner to come on deck and challenge us. We had the wrong boat of course, but he and his wife were great, they got the wine out and some nibbles and we had a party. We eventually found our boat just as the sun was coming up.
Happy days.
There it is I said, we clambered onboard only for the owner to come on deck and challenge us. We had the wrong boat of course, but he and his wife were great, they got the wine out and some nibbles and we had a party. We eventually found our boat just as the sun was coming up.
Happy days.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
But behind the mast is still even more visible for the most common situations, boats arriving from astern. Both work, but behind the mast more effective more often (except in rivers with strong flow).
fredrussell
Well-Known Member
Good call this. Only last night I was gingerly motoring through some moorings looking for a spare buoy. Very dark night, not easy at all to see moored boats.
geem
Well-Known Member
We have a bright low level anchor light that illuminates the deck. We have a second white light that illuminates the transom. Under the hardtop we have an led strip light that illuminates the whole hardtop. The light is purple and the glow can be seen for at least 1/2 mile away. Its super useful for finding the boat at night in a busy anchorage. By combining suitable lighting for collision avoidance and something distinctive, we can find our way home. Before bed, the purple lights go off
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
There's a story there.....
Neeves
Well-Known Member
A reason to have an approved anchor light in the foretriangle is that it will illuminate the foredeck. If you feel the need to check the rode it will already be illuminated negating the need to search for a head torch. If the light is insufficient to work on the foredeck ..... you bought the wrong light.
Lighting the cockpit is not an approved anchor light, so though its a great idea - you will still need an anchor light, masthead or foretriangle - and if a jet ski hits you hard at 2am your insurance may not pay up (if all you are using is a cockpit light).
Jonathan
Lighting the cockpit is not an approved anchor light, so though its a great idea - you will still need an anchor light, masthead or foretriangle - and if a jet ski hits you hard at 2am your insurance may not pay up (if all you are using is a cockpit light).
Jonathan
Poignard
Well-Known Member
Yes, exactly that.
I had a DHL oil anchor lamp, 6 inches in diameter. My mast was 4 inches wide.
I was able to sleep easily, unlikely to be run into, even by any half-blind fool going too fast.
Juan Twothree
Well-Known Member
Tie a piece of string to the yacht and pay it out as you row ashore.
Neeves
Well-Known Member
unlikely to be run into, even by any half-blind fool going too fast.
I would not rely on that
Just google 'Jet ski hits anchored yacht' or a variant - and it will discourage you from anchoring.
Jonathan
RunAgroundHard
Well-Known Member
If less than 50m you can place the anchor light where it can best be seen, so the cockpit light is good enough, and compliant with IRPCS for vessels less than 50m. See IRPCS Rule 30.
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