Masthead Strobes

[MainlySteam]

Like a number of cruising yachts we have a white strobe at our masthead.

I would be interested in forumites views on when and when not they think such a strobe should be used on a yacht (including when berthed, say for burglar or flooding alarm), or whether they think they should not be fitted at all.

Also, if you have one or not.

Please, no holy redirection of my question to the Collision Reg's - I know about them /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

Thanks in anticipation

John

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[BrianJ]

John,
Presume it is an all round white flashing light, that could be taken as an " at anchor" light. ?
I approve of the strobe , but perhaps on the spreader ??
Would you use it at sea.. ? Could be some interesting answers here.. Personally I wouldn't do it.
BrianJ

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[jimi]

Couple of years ago, I was mid english channel at night in a F6/7 when a strobe light was spotted closing fast .. did'nt have a clue what it was and it scared us witless. SUbsequently emerged that it was MaidenII on the 24 hour speed record.
The strobe did not add anything apart from confusion. Much brighter nav lights would have been MUCH more helpful. I feel you'd be better off sticking with the standard lights but if visibility is an issue upgrade the wattage?

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[Twister_Ken]

Friend has one - only used as a steamer scarer at night. A quick blast of strobing apparently wakes up bridge crews on threatening ships quite rewardingly.

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[dickh]

Are they that common? I've never seen one - on the East Coast anyway, and are they legal? Which cruising yachts fit them as standard and who supplies them?

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I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[boatless]

Afaik, not legal in the UK. Flashing lights are harder to gauge distance from, but as a scarer I think that they are a good idea.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[dom]

I sailed a boat last year using a masthead strobe in place of a broken steaming light. I was stopped by a police launch at the Ballast buoy in Portsmouth and informed that this was illegal unless either 1. An early indication of a vessels heading change whilst operating under restricted manouverabilty, 2. Used by law enforcement, customs or rescue vessels or 3. A distress beacon. I have no idea if this is correct but the officers were pretty clear about their views! They suggested it would be better to use a torch as an emergency steaming light.

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[MainlySteam]

They are relatively common. Our own is made by Aqua Signal for yachts and the strobe is just another story (so to speak) on the normal standard tower type of anchor light and tricolour unit. It is listed (well was when I last looked) on the Aqua Signal internet site.

A white flashing light is not a light that is mentioned in the ColRegs except for the case that if using a light for attracting the attention of another vessel one cannot use a light that may be mistaken for another light used as an aid to navigation - they then specifically preclude use of a white flashing light for that purpose. But they are not prohibited for any other purpose as best I recall. So, in the middle of the Atlantic where there are no aids to navigation with which they could be confused, then perhaps they could be used for attracting the attention of another vessel?

I have my own views of their use (else I would never have specified it) but am interested those of others.

John

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[Robin]

Hi John

If used mid ocean, would it attract ships to you (ie seen as a distress signal) or cause them to keep clear? I believe strobes are used inland in the USA as a distress signal and I believe they would attract other vessels rather than repel them. Certainly we use strobes here on MOB gear (lifebuoy lights, danbuoy lights, PFD lights), so the association therefore is with distress.

As for use as an alarm signal there are such as part of anti-theft devices here, but the colour is blue not white, the idea being to indicate which boat is the one which has the alarm going.

I did see a French yacht use one as a means of directing their dinghy to the parent vessel after an evening trip ashore in a busy anchorage. Of course if they all did it it would be fun!

Robin

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[Sybarite]

I was invited to the bridge of a ferry once and was talking with the captain about the degree of visiblility concerning yachts.

He recommended a strobe light. Irrespective of navigational rights or wrongs the first priority is to be seen.

John

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[Robin]

I wonder if he would still think that in the middle of the English Channel at night if he encountered a RORC Race, JOG Race, PYRA Race and 50 Rallies (UK Bank Holiday weekend coming up) all heading for France strobes a-flashing!

That is a semi serious comment as seen in isolation a strobe could be useful, in general use as a nav light though I think it could be different.

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[Cornishman]

I can see a problem here, for once fitted who is to stop them being used irresponsibly? Maiden II seems to have been irresponsible in the speed record attempt.

I once asked Pains Wessex about the breaking of the rules by fitting a strobe light to a certain item of safety equipment and got a very non commital reply.

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[Joe_Cole]

I've got one. It's never been used in anger but I reckon that if it helps to make sure that I'm seen when something is getting too close then its worthwhile. I wouldn't use it instead of the legal lights, but it's there as an "extra".

To be frank its been more use when coming into an unfamilar marina at night. When you're on the radio to the marina staff it's useful to be able to say "i'm over here with the flashing light". It's helped on more than one occasion. Also useful in a crowded anchorage when friends are trying to find me amongst all the other lights. Put on the strobe and they'll soon spot you.

Useful, but not essential.

Good idea for the burglar alarm- so long as there's a timer to avoid a flat battery.

Joe



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[Peppermint]

Reass me my white suit

and my dancing pumps. If this catches on the Solent will look like a disco.

The best steamer scarer is a good spotlight. The only use I can see for a strobe would be for shorthanded ocean voyagers. Even then I don't doubt that they often would wake up to the view of a large ship checking if they were OK.

Using any light that is the same as safety equipment lighting is a. going to confuse people b. end up with poor response to genuine emergencies.

Could this light not also be taken for a cardinal mark if the view of it is restricted?

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[Oldhand]

I would confuse a white flashing strobe for the tail buoy light of a siesmic streamer towed by a survey ship and would thus pass astern of you. The tail buoy can be up to 2 miles astern of the towing vessel. If I then recognised you as a yacht and should have been stand on vessel, I would be less than pleased with you.

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[Mollari]

I don't wish to be ignorant, it is probably an english term, but what is a steamer scarer.

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[LadyInBed]

My boat came fitted with a blue strobe on the mizzen connected to the burglar alarm.

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[Robin]

A method of making your boat very visible to another, ie a very powerful torch or searchlight used to illuminate the sails or even shone towards the other boat. Steamer is an old word for a ship, to scare is to frighten.

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[Mollari]

God that was complicated. I suggest just using very, very large flood lights, hooked up to the 8KVa generator.

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[boatless]

Wouldn't that melt the steamer? Good for icebergs too (the other steamer scarer).

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.