Flashing

[PhilipStapleton]

Once upon a time, if you saw a flashing light at sea it was a floating navigation aid - aka a buoy. On Monday night, there were flashing lights on the Cowes floating bridge (a slow moving North Cardinal?), the Red Jet ferry (a fast moving North Cardinal?), a tanker at anchor (a very, very tall Port Hand Mark) and the Ryde hovercraft (of no navigational significance). We missed the lifeboat.
Last year there was some talk of making the fast Cats carry high visibility strobe lights. Any update on that?

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[Cornishman]

Re: Fast cats & strobe lights

Rule 36, second paragraph

Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity intemittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided.

Note the "shall" which is imperative, so if they fit them they are in breach of Rule 36.

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[StugeronSteve]

What about blue flashing? Lifeboat, Harbour Master etc. or Boat intruder alarm.

YM examiner to friend under pressure:- Whats that yellow flashing light over there signify? Friend:- Err Hovercraft, Sea plane, waffle, waffle. YM examiner:- Try fork truck on Felixtowe quay!

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[StugeronSteve]

Re: Moonlight

Just remembered a flashing incident at weekend. Harbour Taxi full of passengers on way to pub from floating pontoon; one passenger recognises a rather beautiful yacht that she had seen elsewhere. "Look there's Queen Sheba of Bognor (made up name), she's gorgeous" she says to her husband. Taxi load of passengers turn as one to join in the admiration. Mobo man tied up along side Queen Sheba thinks everyone is having a butchers at the goings on behind his patio doors and drops trousers!

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[Brucey]

Out sailing at the end of last year at night in the solent. Spotted a boat which confused us for ages. Two steaming lights - under power, over 50m, fine - Green navigation light - Starboard Side, fine- and a flashing yellow!! we knew it was to slow and big to be a hovercraft.

Wasn't till we got closer and saw it was a ferry out of Portsmouth with a Car on the Car Deck with it's alarm going off!!!

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