Steaming & anchored lights

[JumbleDuck]

In Glénan I saw a well set up British ketch with an oïl lamp attached below his anchor ball. Seemed like good idea.

I use a hurricane lamp. It's cheap to buy and run, doesn't need wires draped around or vulnerable connections and, best of all, it produces carbon dioxide and warmth, both of which midgies like, so it keeps the little bastards away from the hatchway and cabin.

 

[Burnham Bob]

I'm not sure Serin's idea that depending on a decent light in the right position answers the letter of the Colregs. However, 'all round white light' seems to me to rule out almost all the anchor lights on sale. I have an LED lantern I hang up high in front of the mast, but of course, from some angles its obscured by the mast. That's also a problem if I hang it from the cross trees. And all the anchor lights I can see on sale have the same problem - they are obscured by the mast from some angle. My old boat had an anchor light at the top of the mast - and that's the only practical solution to a full compliance with the colregs. What do forumites think? Serin's view seems to be the practical solution adopted by all light manufacturers and chandlers!

 

[Serin]

I'm not sure Serin's idea that depending on a decent light in the right position answers the letter of the Colregs.

It most certainly does - see post 13. The light in the foretriangle is not "my idea" but the way it has been done for a very long time. The masthead light is a relatively recent development and is "the idea" of the mass production boat builders. They have to supply lights specified by the regulations and as they have to run wires up the mast anyway, that is the cheapest and most convenient way for them to do it. That's all.

A proper anchor light in the right position has many advantages over a masthead light and is, in practice, never obscured completely and permanently by the mast. The earlier term for the anchor light is the riding light and that points up a further advantage not mentioned so far. It indicates how the boat is lying to its anchor and thus helps the new arrival to avoid anchoring over its chain. The reason that vessels over 50 metres have two lights at different heights is to show that same information.

When it comes to "depending" on your riding light, I think Dockhead's recent experience in the Solent is a good example of why I would not want to depend on a masthead light.

 

[dom]

And all the anchor lights I can see on sale have the same problem - they are obscured by the mast from some angle. My old boat had an anchor light at the top of the mast - and that's the only practical solution to a full compliance with the colregs. What do forumites think?

For me, I'd forget about all this collreg textbooky stuff, as that is more relevant to ex-post ass covering than avoiding a wallop in the first place. My suggestion would be to bang on the anchor light and then hang two LED lanterns, one as you say in the fore-triangle and one off the boom at the back. These two lights will both illuminate the coamings and throw plenty of interesting shadows. Come to think of it, why not go for multi colour-changing LED spreader lights?

 

[Serin]

In Glénan I saw a well set up British ketch with an oïl lamp attached below his anchor ball. Seemed like good idea.

I'm sure it would do its job (I used that setup for many years when I sailed a boat without electrics and still have an oil lamp as an emergency backup) I'm not sure it would comply with the regulations in terms of visibility over distance, though.

 

[Robin]

In Glénan I saw a well set up British ketch with an oïl lamp attached below his anchor ball. Seemed like good idea.

If it was a W33 ketch and between 1987 and 2000 that might well have been us. :encouragement:

 

[Serin]

For me, I'd forget about all this collreg textbooky stuff, as that is more relevant to ex-post ass covering than avoiding a wallop in the first place.

Not a good idea. The main thing that undermines the adequacy of the college textbooky stuff is the growing number of numpties who decide it's OK to ignore it (or can't be bothered to learn it) and just make up their own rules as they go along - thereby causing confusion and mayhem.

Where will it all end up? In ever changing coloured spreader lights! Heaven forfend! :nightmare:

 

[vyv_cox]

For me, I'd forget about all this collreg textbooky stuff, as that is more relevant to ex-post ass covering than avoiding a wallop in the first place. My suggestion would be to bang on the anchor light and then hang two LED lanterns, one as you say in the fore-triangle and one off the boom at the back. These two lights will both illuminate the coamings and throw plenty of interesting shadows. Come to think of it, why not go for multi colour-changing LED spreader lights?

Only one step further is the ubiquitous flashing strobe light. Not only do they not comply with Colregs, they are a confounded nuisance to other boats on anchor watch in heavy weather. We see them in all sorts of weird colours, in addition to white.

 

[dom]

Only one step further is the ubiquitous flashing strobe light. Not only do they not comply with Colregs, they are a confounded nuisance to other boats on anchor watch in heavy weather. We see them in all sorts of weird colours, in addition to white.

That's a fair point and Rule 36 is clear about this:

" If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorised elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel. Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided."​

But I'm not sure my hypothetical technicolour solution would fall foul of the letter of the "collregs"? And I'm also wondering about the legality of "low-intensity" strobes?

Edit: incidentally I do agree that strobes are bad seamanship and bad manners, even if technically allowed in a low-intensity form.

 

[prv]

I'm not sure Serin's idea that depending on a decent light in the right position answers the letter of the Colregs.

Would you like to see the letter of the Colregs, then?

My old boat had an anchor light at the top of the mast - and that's the only practical solution to a full compliance with the colregs.

No it isn't.

Pete

 

[JumbleDuck]

No it isn't.

As with most IRPCS discussions, this seems relevant: http://www.theonion.com/article/area-man-passionate-defender-of-what-he-imagines-c-2849

 

[Boo2]

So as a matter of interest, how many forumites display an all round white light (and sidelights ?) when in the tender under outboard power ? How do you go about this ?

Boo2

 

[dunedin]

For me, I'd forget about all this collreg textbooky stuff, as that is more relevant to ex-post ass covering than avoiding a wallop in the first place. My suggestion would be to bang on the anchor light and then hang two LED lanterns, one as you say in the fore-triangle and one off the boom at the back. These two lights will both illuminate the coamings and throw plenty of interesting shadows. Come to think of it, why not go for multi colour-changing LED spreader lights?

Agree. We have abandoned the masthead anchor light and use an (excellent) LED plug in anchor light near deck level - plus a solar garden lamp permanently attached to the pushpit as a decklight (covered if sailing in the dark, rare in the sumer up north). From some angles two lights will be visible - but all the better. About 2,000 less deck lights than a cruise liner or ferry at anchor.

 

[rgarside]

A perspective from the Mobo forum:-

What's wrong with putting on all the spreader lights, the deck lighting, the u/w lights, the illuminated name, the saloon lights, the boom downlight over the dining table, and all of that? Just light the thing up and be seen!
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-on-the-Scuttlebutt-forum#27wF1lFq7tuRkqzo.99

 

[rgarside]

I've got a pretty hefty boat - so why bother?

With 3rd party cover?

 

[dom]

A perspective from the Mobo forum:-

What's wrong with putting on all the spreader lights, the deck lighting, the u/w lights, the illuminated name, the saloon lights, the boom downlight over the dining table, and all of that? Just light the thing up and be seen!
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-on-the-Scuttlebutt-forum#27wF1lFq7tuRkqzo.99

Don't tell the mobos, but I'm I'm thinking a full blown twinkling Christmas tree on the foredeck this December, complete with multicoloured lights, baubles and a giant white LED star on top

 

[Aurai]

Down in Cornwall

Rowing home from Falmouth back to Flushing, after a night out, nobody remembers their torch as far as I can make out.

Back at Hoo, getting out to our moorings, my head torch does for me, but then we are not crossing a channel, only the mudflats.

In general, regarding this thread, I thought day shapes and location are mimicked by lights, as a base principle to work from and a single light in the foretriangle works for us in Stangate Creek. Thinking you need the least draw on your batteries overnight if you are not topping them up as you use them.

Cheers.

 

[Robin]

So as a matter of interest, how many forumites display an all round white light (and sidelights ?) when in the tender under outboard power ? How do you go about this ?

Boo2

We do, don't you?. If we could not travel at over 7kts it would be OK to have just a white light, but our RIB is capable of 20kts so to avoid a $150 ticket from maritime plod here in the USA we have the full set. The all round white is on a shortish pole that clamps to the RIB transom, the bicolour is on the bow tubes, held in place with Velcro patches,It's base bracket, fromwhich it is removable could be glued in place but Hypalon glue is stupidly expensive here so we use industrial strength velcro patches instead. All lights are battery operated LEDs.

We also carry USCG approved lifejackets and a signal flare gun in the RIB to comply with Officer Dibble, so he does not shoot us then claim he ' feared for his life' on a routine safety check stop:disgust:.

 

[Burnham Bob]

thanks for the advice about being obscured by the mast - happier now about how i use my anchor light

 

[Serin]

Don't tell the mobos, but I'm I'm thinking a full blown twinkling Christmas tree on the foredeck this December, complete with multicoloured lights, baubles and a giant white LED star on top

Well, at least people will know what it is. And it might even add to the gaiety of nations. The real problem comes with people who want to light up like Christmas trees (totally unnecessarily) without actually being Christmas trees and thus destroying the visual peace of a nice quiet, dark anchorage and confusing all who approach as to what, exactly, they may be and what might be their aspect and intentions. A plague on them!