navigation lights

[tyce]

hi
i have just bought my new boat and i am trying to sort out the nav lights.
fitted to it are :- tricolour mast head light with all round white under it, and the steaming lights on the pulpit. when i put steaming lights on all that comes on is the lights on the the pulpit (green, red) but there is no white light on the stern or the mast, when i put mast head lights on the tricolour comes on but so does the all round white which i dont think is right, can someone please help clear this up by reminding me which is the correct order of lights.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Rowana]

The white light on top of the mast should DEFINATELY NOT come on with the tricolour.

When sailing, all you need is the tricolour - nothing else.

When you have the engine on, you need to show the lights of a power driven vessel, whether you have the sails up or not. These are the port/starboard lights on the pulpit, plus a white steaming light showing over the same arc, but higher up on the mast and a white stern light. If your yacht is less that 12 metres, which I presume it is, the masthead and stern light can be combined. i.e. The white all round under the tricolour.

So, under power - port/stbd on pulpit + white all round on mast.

Hope this helps

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[VicS]

You are quite right in that the all round white and tricolour should not come on together.

When motoring you should show port and starb'd side lights (red and green respectively), a white light facing forward, known as the masthead or steaming light, at least 1m above the side lights, and a white stern light. In your case the port and stb'd lights are combined into one bicolour lantern and your steaming and stern lights are combined as the all round white. All perfectly legal.

My personal preference is also to fit a separate stern light and a separate steaming light as well as those you have because firstly lights mounted high up can become invisible against a background of shore lights and secondly by having the whole lot you have a backup in case of bulb failure in most situations.

I suggest you get a copy of the RYA booklet on the collision regulations as it covers all the lighting requirements, has explanatory notes and a section on light recognition.

In the meantime you will find the bare bones <A target="_blank" HREF=http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/boating/colregs.html>here</A>

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[wooslehunter]

With the lights positioned where you have them, you have the potential for three configerations:

1. Sailing = tri-colour only.
2. Motor on = all round white + red/green assuming of course that you're under 20m.
3. Anchored = all round white only.

Consider being able to switch the all round white separately.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[northener]

We used to have problems with tri and all white coming on together - almost always seemed to be a short at the connection on deck - either water or corrosion or latterly a hairline crack in the socket. After cleaning and drying worked OK (until the next time!).
I am assuming that the white has a dedicated switch - might be labelled 'anchor'

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Mirelle]

Good point

And one more thing - the separate circuit for the pulpit mounted sport and starboard lights is a good thing - it means that, should the bulb in the masthead tricolour fail at sea, one still has the regulation sidelights

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[MASH]

Re: Good point

Am I right in thinking, then, that under power we need standard deck-ish level sidelights plus an all round white - that this white can be at masthead, in other words the anchor light?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[northener]

Re: Good point

I am pretty sure yes, you can (thats what I used and I'm sure I checked at the time) - although the regs are all boat size dependent - someone here will have direct access to them and I am sure will be able to quote you-??


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[peterb]

IRPCS

A power-driven vessel less than 12 metres overall length can use sidelights and an all-round white (Rule 23(c)(i)). Any vessel less than 20 metres long can combine the sidelights into one bi-colour light (Rule 21(b))

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Oldhand]

I am distrubed that you have to ask this question. As you are a yacht owner, presumably intending to go to sea, you should know the regulations concerning navigation lights. Even if you don't, surely you have an Almanac or other publication with which to refresh your memory?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[LeonF]

My new boat doesn't have an anchor light--can I use the steaming and stern light together? Is this permissible as I obviously won't have any nav lights on ?

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[graham]

Dont know if its strictly legal but its exactly what I do, in the dark you are still showing an allround white so why not.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Simply put -no

Hang a small 12v lamp from the cross trees is better than nothing ..... but best is a tilley lamp or similar on a jib halyard with slip ring around forestay, (if you have furling gear - then just use the downhaul to pull it foward etc.), allowing it to be hoisted up forward, a downhaul of course attached to drag it down again !


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[LeonF]

Re: Simply put -no

Thought of this but the possibility of it crashing onto the deck and bursting into flame stops me. One of those solar powered garden lights has also been suggested but I'm not sure how effective they wold be.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[alec]

Re: Simply put -no

A nice tip from I think John Goode, was to hoist a white fender up in front of the steaming light. This gives an all over effect.

I have used this on occasions when I feel uneasy about oil lamps on a lumpy night. It's probably illegal, but when I have returned to the boat at night from the pub, it's often the most easily seen in the anchorage. Probably because of the movement ?

However, I have now done away with oil lamps and tie a swinging all round LED torch low down on the forestay. The batteries last for ages and it's not dark for very long in the summer.

We all eventually find our own ways through trial and error and this is all part of the fun. I am sure you will also find your own way of doing things.

Regards,

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[LeonF]

Re: Simply put -no

Great suggestion about the white fender which I hadn't heard before. I remember trying to navigate out of Stangate creek off the Medway early one morning in darkness and just avoiding a little clinker yacht which was anchored without lights. I like the idea of the LED torch too. Thanks.

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson

 

[Aardee]

Re: Simply put -no

A solar powered garden light would be nowhere near bright enough. I have them (in the garden) and they give out nothing more than a dull yellow glow.

<hr width=100% size=1>"I am a bear of very little brain and long words bother me..."

 

[Guest]

Funny that ....

I have pals who DO use them and they give reasonable light .....

Remember that the average yacht is actually below the minimum size to be REQUIRED to show certain lights ... so if you show anything you are doing MORE than actually legally required ..... c'mon you 'barrack-room' lawyers PROVE me wrong ......


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[peterb]

Re: Funny that ....

Depends what you mean by an "average yacht". The limit comes at 7 metres (Rule 30(e)), but even then only when anchored in an area where other vessels don't normally navigate.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[LeonF]

Re: Simply put -no

Found the Davis utility light in the Mark Dowland catalogue. Seems not to be found on the shelves of chandlers. Low consumption, long lead and a light sensitive switch. Around £40

<hr width=100% size=1>L.A.R.Ferguson