LED Lights

[Chris_Robb]

Re: LED Lights available here

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I am not sure that the gruesome blue/white light would be very relaxing down below

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[Joe_Cole]

I am interested in safety of myself and others. If I am out at sea and fear that another boat has not seen me, then I will use the strobe to draw attention to my vessel. If that succeeds then I have taken action to ensure my own safety and that of the other vessel. As I said in my previous posting, it's fine if I am seen. In other words the other vessel, having seen me, can take whatever action is necessary. You may prefer not to be seen, and would happily be struck by another vessel, smugly knowing that you had at least stuck to the rule book.

In practice I have not had to use the strobe in that situation; but it is there if necessary and would, of course, be used over and above the usual Navigation lights.

I would also consider using it if my steaming light failed.

I have however used it on more than one occasion when making a night time entry to a new (to me) marina. It can sometimes be difficult for the shore staff to identify which vessel they are talking to on the radio. A flashing strobe light helps them to see where I am.

I am sure that you will also be horrified to hear that I admit that I have switched on my strobe on occasion at Regattas when everyone is sounding horns, using spotlights etc. Despite your comments I am sure that I will do so again.

If you care to read the postings you'll see that I did not say anything about my being seen at six miles, though I did query whether LED's could be seen at that distance. However, in answer to your question I think that many sailers would be happy to be seen at 6 miles when high speed ferries are in the vicinity.

I'm sure that it's illegal. But then it's also illegal if you exceed the speed limit by 1 MPH.



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[Sea Devil]

Joe Coles is right in my opinion to have a strobe -

I have had one for years fixed on the top of the goal posts and used it several times in pressing situations. Frequently big ships cannot see our piddily little nav or masthead lights against shore lights and sometimes when the waves are big we vanish on radar or when there are lots of little fishing boats about.

All merchant ships are lit up like the 4th of July and you very often have to search for their nav lights amongst the deck lights et al.... In our little sail boats there is nothing extra to draw attention - all yachts should fit one.

A strobe light makes the bridge of an overtaking merchant ship aware of your position better than any radio shout. It has saved my bacon several times and would certainly not be without it or think twice about using it. the Idea it could be confused with a bouy is bordering on the stupid.



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[Ships_Cat]

Flashing lights on boats are not "totally illegal". In fact some boats are required by law to carry and use high intensity flashing lights (High Speed Craft for example).

In any country adopting COLREGS as written (and that is pretty much universally so as vessels can be fitted for universal acceptance) the requirement is that the use of flashing high intensity lights shall be avoided. They are not prohibited.

We carry a masthead strobe and for its use I go along with what Joe_Cole and Bambola (eeek /forums/images/icons/smile.gif) say (use as an anchor light as another has stated would be frowned upon I suspect).

John

<hr width=100% size=1>I am the cat but I am only 6.

 

[Joe_Cole]

<use as an anchor light as another has stated would be frowned upon I suspect>

Yes; partly because the power consumption is a little higher than my anchor light, but also because in a crowded anchorage a flashing light would be very irritating for other anchored boats. Apart from that I suspect that a strobe would not usually have any benefit over the legal light in that situation, but if it did then I would consider using it.

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