Red over green lights for sailing vessels

A further use was prompted from an AGM I attended yesterday. A commercial vessel captain had enquired of our secretary how he might identify the one boat out of a large cluster when communicating by radio (not DSC). He asked that some visual signal as a response.

Our secretary has installed a flashing orange beacon on his masthead switched on when in communication with the captain. (I believe that to be illegal.)

Using said red-over-greens could also be used.
 
A further use was prompted from an AGM I attended yesterday. A commercial vessel captain had enquired of our secretary how he might identify the one boat out of a large cluster when communicating by radio (not DSC). He asked that some visual signal as a response.

Our secretary has installed a flashing orange beacon on his masthead switched on when in communication with the captain. (I believe that to be illegal.)

Using said red-over-greens could also be used.

Hovercraft ?
 
A tricolour is required under Colregs:

For vessels less than 50 metres in length overall, IMO COLREG 72 describes the following
minimum visible distances for navigation lamps. Distances are in Nautical Miles.
Supplementary national approvals may also apply.
Vessels 0-12 metres / 0-40 feet in length:

White, Red, Green All Round lamps, 2 miles
Masthead lamp, 2 miles
Port and Starboard lamps, 1 mile
Stern lamp, 2 miles
Tri Colour lamp, 2 miles. (Sailing vessels under sail only)
 
Our secretary has installed a flashing orange beacon on his masthead switched on when in communication with the captain. (I believe that to be illegal.)
He could've rigged up multi-coloured lights driven off the audio channel. I'm sure some former wannabe DJ could've sold him the kit quite cheaply.
 
>No it is not.

Since Colregs specifically says a tricolour is required why did you say that?

Simply because they do not!

Rule 25 reads


Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars
(a). A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit:
(i). sidelights;
(ii). a sternlight.
(b). In a sailing vessel of less than 20 metres in length the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule may be
combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
(c). A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit at or near
the top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the
lower green, but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by paragraph (b)
of this Rule.
(d).
(i). A sailing vessel of less than 7 metres in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or
(b) of this Rule, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white
light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
(ii). A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this Rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall
have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to
prevent collision.
(e). A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be
seen a conical shape, apex downwards.​

The required lights are sidelights and a stern light

Paragraph b says that in a sailing vessel under 20m long these may be combined into a one lantern.

A tricolour is not even allowed for vessels over 20m
 
A further use was prompted from an AGM I attended yesterday. A commercial vessel captain had enquired of our secretary how he might identify the one boat out of a large cluster when communicating by radio (not DSC). He asked that some visual signal as a response.

Our secretary has installed a flashing orange beacon on his masthead switched on when in communication with the captain. (I believe that to be illegal.)

Using said red-over-greens could also be used.

Just because someone is a Capt. Doesn’t mean they actually know what they are talking about:)
If in any doubt pick any thread on gcaptain. They come up with just as many weird and wonderful opinions as we do here.

I would suggest a reasonable bright flashlight with a Morse function. Pointed and flashed in the general direction of the vessel. Works quite well.
No Morse button. Cover with hand and uncover.

If you want to impress. With pukka signals.
Flash a series of double A’s (.-.- .-.- .-.-) A being .-
If he is polite he will reply with a long T -

Then call on VHF.
If you want to send K9 which means go to VHF.

And you will both know which boat is talking to the other.
 
Just because someone is a Capt. Doesn’t mean they actually know what they are talking about:)
If in any doubt pick any thread on gcaptain. They come up with just as many weird and wonderful opinions as we do here.

I would suggest a reasonable bright flashlight with a Morse function. Pointed and flashed in the general direction of the vessel. Works quite well.
No Morse button. Cover with hand and uncover.

If you want to impress. With pukka signals.
Flash a series of double A’s (.-.- .-.- .-.-) A being .-
If he is polite he will reply with a long T -

Then call on VHF.
If you want to send K9 which means go to VHF.

And you will both know which boat is talking to the other.

IIRCC the collregs offer flashing "a masthead light" in synchronism with the whistle in fog?
 
>IWhere in Colregs does it specifically say you need a tricolour ? It doesn't.

You obviously didn't read the post properly have another look.

Which post is "the post"? :confused:

All posts have a helpful identification number at the top right hand corner within the black band.

It's where the green nav light would go .... if this forum was a ship. :encouragement:

Richard
 
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