Interesting thread on the Scuttlebutt forum

[jfm]

You don't need a collar. Two lights, one either side, works. Arguably not correct to the letter of Colregs but it is very commonly done on big yachts since decades ago and so there is legitimate expectation of non prosecution. From any distance they appear as a single light and remember that LED lights consist of multiple light sources anyway with no rules about the spacing apart of them - I guess the law would be interpreted as meaning the thing must appear as a single light to a man on the Monaco omnibus.

 

[prv]

You don't need a collar. Two lights, one either side, works. Arguably not correct to the letter of Colregs

Wow - I get to correct the legendary jfm on a point of law

As above, we only have to look at the technical annexe that defines such details:

9. (b) (ii) If it is impracticable to comply with paragraph (b) (i) of this section by exhibiting only one all-round light, two all-round lights shall be used suitably positioned or screened so that they appear, as far as practicable, as one light at a distance of one mile.

A light either side of the mast is perfectly acceptable even to the letter of the Colregs

Pete

 

[prv]

So I think we are back to having to suspend something in the fore-triangle each time we anchor.

I couldn't quite see the point of the suggestion at first - but now I understand. We're looking for something that can be flicked on and off without messing about with halyards, yet actually visible to the people who might collide with you. Never occurred to me before, but yep, a couple of slimline LED fittings either side of the mast, just high enough to clear biminis and other deck clutter, would do nicely. I would want a bit of downwards wash as well, to illuminate the hull itself - it makes it a hell of a lot easier to judge distance etc versus just a point of light.

The mass builders will never fit 'em because a masthead unit combining tricolour and white is easier to install (they're leading cables to the masthead anyway for wind, radio, etc), but if I was building a new boat I'd seriously consider getting some custom-made. I'm sure Col could mill us up some nice aluminium shapes to insert LEDs into

(You could fit something like an off-the-shelf steaming light, but they'd look ugly IMO.)

Of course you still have to mess about with halyards for the anchor ball that we all display

Pete