Spotlights and ColRegs Question

[Baddox]

My boat is fitted with nav lights but I’d like to add a pair of “headlights” to aid spotting, and avoiding, pot markers and floating debris that radar doesn't detect.

Would bolting a pair of forward facing, white spotlights onto the cabin roof conflict with SOLAS, colregs or any other requirements?

 

[dt4134]

I think the only restriction is that you would not be able to shine them in the direction of another vessel. Can't remember off the top of my head which rule of the IRPCS it is, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly.

Probably better to have a single controllable searchlight than a car headlight imitation.

 

[maxi77]

Well plenty of fishing boats seem to do this sort of thing so what's good for the goose may well be good for the gander.

I often have difficulty working out what a fishing boat is doing because her nav lights are effectively obscured by her working lights

 

[Lakesailor]

Tell 'em it's an Aldis Lamp.

 

[photodog]

How bout instead of a White light... a Infra Red light???

This one has a 80 meter range with a 50 degree wide beam... add a infrared camera alongside... then output that to a screen in the cockpit.

Bobs yer uncle

 

[SAWDOC]

My boat is fitted with nav lights but I’d like to add a pair of “headlights” to aid spotting, and avoiding, pot markers and floating debris that radar doesn't detect.

Would bolting a pair of forward facing, white spotlights onto the cabin roof conflict with SOLAS, colregs or any other requirements?

Have you tried night sailing without such lights? We have found that bright lights at night ruin your night vision and consequently we very seldom use our plug in spot. Approaching a crowded anchorage would be an exception. On most occasons we have been able to see adequately at night when you allow your eyes to adjust.Its a different form of sailing/navigation which can be quite enjoyable. We also aim to be in the wide open spaces when it is darkest.

 

[Piers]

I've tried searchlighjts but the useful range is very poor and as has been said, night vision is wrecked. I'd choose thermal imaging, not infrared.

 

[Csail]

I use these which work well.
http://www.spycatcheronline.co.uk/night-vision-c-27.html

 

[Tintin]

I eat carrots.

 

[alexrunic]

head lights will only light up what's in front of you and if there is any tide taking you side ways you will still hit the pot marker. A hand held or like some fishing boats a one that can be rotated would be far more useful in my opinion

 

[SimbaDog]

Surely one just tells ones crew to keep a jolly good look out before retiring to the master suite

 

[Csail]

Or two of these mounted on the pushpit?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0SHTV2M7MKYX2F5VXHBS

 

[colingr]

I must admit I prefer to sail / motor in the dark with minimal lights on. The only time I've used a spot was to alert a much larger boat that was steaming directly at us. A couple of flashes towars the bridge worked wonders.

I love sailing at night. It's a totally different challenge sailing by navigation buoys etc.

 

[Poignard]

I think you would be very unpopular with anyone who had their night vision messed up by your spotlight. It wouldn't do yours any good either.

 

[colingr]

It was that or a white flare. We were engineless in nil wind just outside Cherbourg, waiting for a tow. As such we could not get out of the way, the vessel was not responding to the radio so what else could we do?

I suppose we could have tried shouting

To be honest at that stage we were not worried about night vision, more about survival.

The engine had conked out due to a blocked fuel line. Easy to fix in daylight against the pontoon. Not so easy at sea on an unfamiliar boat.

I'm sure others would have come up with a million other things that we should have done but flashing the spotlight worked for us at the time.

BTW it was pre AIS so we couldn't identify the approaching vessel. All we knew was that

a) its was heading our way
b) it was big

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

so what else could we do?

Buy a boat that has sails so you have another choice?

 

[prv]

the vessel was not responding to the radio so what else could we do?

I think Parsifal was criticising the OP, not you

Pete

 

[Poignard]

I think Parsifal was criticising the OP, not you

Pete

I was responding to the OP but not intending any criticism - just pointing out that accidentally shining a spotlight in someone's eyes will spoil their night vision for a while.

 

[colingr]

Sorry, missed the point about the post referring to the OP.

I agree totally night vision is paramount and I'd only use a spot as a last resort. Fishing boats are a bit of an oddity and I can understand their being lit up like a christmas tree. I wouldn't fancy hauling nets or lines in the dark.

 

[colingr]

Buy a boat that has sails so you have another choice?

Didn't say that we were on a yot did I , sorry not having a coherent day today

No wind, no engine, dark, foreign. What a great place to be.

Interestingly when we tried to raise Cherbourg by radio we couldn't. Portland CG responded and phoned Cherbourg for us. They sent out a police launch (at some cost ).

Since it was in the early 80s it was even before useable mobile phones as well, seems unbelievable nowadays.