lobster pot night markers

Part of the reason why this problem has become more noticeable is the change in yacht design. With my long keel I have frequently run very close to pot markers at night, and never had a problem.
Different story with a fin,P bracket and spade rudder.
Not that that excuses the idiots who put their pots in fairways and use floating rope---- these are likely to be part timers who don't kive a sh it

However if you do have the misfortune to pick up a line or a bit of net (as I have) with a long keel boat and prop in an aperture you are really stuck Not only can it jam the prop and possibly cause damage to the stern ger or even pull the gearbox off, but can also jam the rudder. If the line is attached to a string of pots you will end up tethered to the seabed. Not pleasant if there is a sea or tide running.

So the chances of picking up debris may be less, but the consequences could be worse.
 
Marking of pots can be controlled within designated Port Areas by Byelaws, Local NTMs or General Directions. Southampton NTM 21 of 2016 describes how pots etc must be marked but does not specify the need for any light. Cowes General Directions state that the gear must be marked with a light if deployed at night but there is no mention of a specific light characteristic.
 
Marking of pots can be controlled within designated Port Areas by Byelaws, Local NTMs or General Directions. Southampton NTM 21 of 2016 describes how pots etc must be marked but does not specify the need for any light. Cowes General Directions state that the gear must be marked with a light if deployed at night but there is no mention of a specific light characteristic.

...and as discussed several times on here before effective enforcement of these rules (at least in Southampton) had been stopped due legal advice that it is ultra vires.
 
Quite simply there should be a national standard for marking unattended fishing gear including day and night marks. Any gear not complying should be lifted and destroyed.
 
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