Lighting regs- worrisit?

[Angele]

Agreed. And, as acknowledged in the second edit to my post #17, the rules expressly allow for a diving boat not to display the obstruction lights - so I guess seeing the 27b lights on a vessel at anchor should indeed ring the warning bell "there could be divers down there" and therefore they should be given a wide berth.

I can't think of any other RAM at anchor scenario (without the 27d lights) that would necessitate staying well clear, but that one alone would require you to do so.

I'm glad we had this little exchange.... :encouragement:

 

[prv]

Agreed. And, as acknowledged in the second edit to my post #17, the rules expressly allow for a diving boat not to display the obstrucion lights

I wouldn't really expect diving to create an obstruction anyway.

Pete

 

[Daedelus]

Have you ever noticed that when giving an illustration of the lights for a minesweeper they are always shown where you would see them if the sweeper was coming towards you ie you are IN the minefield.

 

[capnsensible]

Flag alpha, divers, at night is rwr. A MV at anchor with divers down will show that. See it all the time .....

 

[Cruiser2B]

Agreed. And, as acknowledged in the second edit to my post #17, the rules expressly allow for a diving boat not to display the obstruction lights - so I guess seeing the 27b lights on a vessel at anchor should indeed ring the warning bell "there could be divers down there" and therefore they should be given a wide berth.

I can't think of any other RAM at anchor scenario (without the 27d lights) that would necessitate staying well clear, but that one alone would require you to do so.

I think the RAM signals along with anchor signals indicate that other vessels should give a wide berth to that vessel. Normally certain RAM activities don't take place at anchor, but even if they did, there wouldn't be a necessity to avoid them by any more than you would pass any other anchored vessel. Two such activities that come to mind are replenishing from a lighter alongside, or launching/recovering a helicopter. Diving and underwater ops may have outlying gear, or the wash from a close-passing vessel may disturb the work, or present a danger to personnel, hence the requirement for staying clear. Not all underwater ops would have an obstructed side, or outlying gear. Just the other afternoon I passed a dredger in the river who wasn't displaying the 27d signals, so I presume it was safe to pass either side of him so long as I remained at a safe distance.