Masthead Nav lights Vs Hull Nav Lights

[conks01]

Hi

I'm a little confused about the correct nav light set up for my Westerly Pageant 23.

I have a combination tri colour white all round unit for the masthead but also have separate port and starboard for the hull.

Do I wire them all together so they are switched together or should these be independently switched so mastheads come on separately to hull versions.

I'm not sure of the rules.

Thanks

 

[Ric]

Independently.

Your masthead all rounder is your anchor light when in all round white, and when in tricolour mode it is your navlights.

The green and reds on the hull are also nav lights but best used for inshore navigation.

Your previous owner installed two sets of nav lights for you - good.

 

[RupertW]

People will discuss merits of each but my preference is low level nav lights when in or near a harbour or anchorage but well out to sea I want to be seen much further away so use my tricolour. When under motor the low level ones again but combined with the engine light half way up the mast.

They should be separate as a green above a green or red above a red would be confusing.

 

[jwilson]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/5a/bf/1a/5abf1aa5112bb935cc46d46743f7c66a.jpg

Absolutely not together. Under sail masthead tricolour only, or port/starboard and white stern at deck level.

Under power should be deck level port/starboard and stern PLUS a forward "steaming light" usually on the front of the mast. NOT tricolour plus steaming light, as the white should be above the others.

 

[VicS]

Hi
I'm a little confused about the correct nav light set up for my Westerly Pageant 23.
I have a combination tri colour white all round unit for the masthead but also have separate port and starboard for the hull.
Do I wire them all together so they are switched together or should these be independently switched so mastheads come on separately to hull versions.
I'm not sure of the rules.
Thanks

When sailing:- port+ starboard + stern. OR tricolour alone.

When Under power:- port, + starboard + stern + masthead ( where the masthead light is a forward facing white light, usually part way up the mast)

The P&S can be combined into a single "bicolour" lantern.

When under power the stern and "masthead" lights can be combined in a single lantern visible 360°.

This masthead light is popularly referred to as the "steaming light" for obvious reasons


The navigation light requirements are quite specific and all detailed In the " collision regualtions" at http://www.collisionregs.com/MSN1781.pdf.
Hopefully you are already familiar with this document as it also sets out the "Steering and sailing rules"; who gives way to whom and all that stuff.

I suggest you read them carefully. They allow other vessels to correctly identify you as a sailing vessel or a power driven vessel, you to similarly identify other vessels, and determine the direction of travel.

The diagrams below may help you understand the requirements. The first shows in plan form the various legal alternatives for use under power or under sail.

The second ( not my handiwork) shows the lights in 3D

I have to add, or someone else will, that vessels under 7m and with a top speed of less than 7knots may display just an all-round white light but should display the above lights if possible.

 

[LittleSister]

What Vic says is correct and comprehensive (as ever), but just to clarify, when he says 'When under power the stern and "masthead" lights can be combined in a single lantern visible 360°.', this means (if your boat is under 12m long) you can use your all-round white instead of (but not as well as) the combination of aft facing stern light and forward (only) facing 'masthead' ('steaming') light, as shown on the bottom right hand two boats in the lower, 3D drawing, and the top right hand two boats in the upper 'birds-eye view.' diagram.

It's not complicated once you get your head around it. (Or maybe it is, considering the number of boats seen with incorrect, confusing combinations!)

In my view, ideally you'd have each of the following on a separate switch to give you the maximum flexibility (so long as you understand the correct combinations):
1. tri-colour
2. all-round white
3. steaming light (high level forward facing white)
4. sidelights or bi-colour (forward facing red and green)
5. stern light (aft facing white)

This allows you -
Sailing -(= sidelights and stern light)
1, or
4 & 5,

Motoring - (= sidelights, stern light and steaming light)
2 & 4, or
3 & 4 & 5

This allows you different possibilities for best visibility in harbour or at sea, and to cope with blown bulbs, etc. (You can even show the correct lights for towing or being towed!)

 

[Praxinoscope]

Independently.

Your masthead all rounder is your anchor light when in all round white, and when in tricolour mode it is your navlights.

The green and reds on the hull are also nav lights but best used for inshore navigation.

Your previous owner installed two sets of nav lights for you - good.

This roughly how I use the two sets of nav lights on my boat, however I also work on the principle that if the masthead tri were to fail, the lower nav lights on the pulpit and pushpit are there as a back-up.
As seawater and electrics are about the worst bedfellows known, it always seems sensible to have some form of back-up.

 

[prv]

I have to add, or someone else will, that vessels under 7m and with a top speed of less than 7knots may display just an all-round white light but should display the above lights if possible.

We should also draw attention to the “either” next to the forestay of the “sailboat under sail”, as people have missed this and got confused in previous similar threads.

Pete

 

[conks01]

Brilliant - Thanks all. That was explained to me today but I struggled to understand the concept until now. Cheers.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

May I just add my usual rant about the advisability of having some formal training, or at least reading a good sailing manual before going out on the water.