Steaming light and stern light as anchor light

'Rule 30 - Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground​

(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:
(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in sub-paragraph (i), an all-round white light.

(b) A vessel of less than 50 metres in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.

(c) A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100 metres and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.'

Relevant bit highlighted. Normally I share an anchorage with nobody and expect no arrivals in the dark ( there have been exceptions) nor are there shore lights to confuse things so I just hang a Davis anchor light under the boom.
If I was anchored in busy spot with lots of night traffic I would go with 30(c) and at the very least along with the Davis ( which I would move a little higher up but not too high) have a light on the pulpit and another on the taffrail, cheep LEDs would be plenty good enough.
 
Used to sail a lot at night around Gibraltar Bay and very often through the east side anchorage, busy places.

The stern light all round visibility was a bit rubbish, mostly obscured by the superstructure. However, no matter what size, generally had all their deck lights on. Some of these could be blindingly bright though.

Add on fishing vessels hauling nets with super bright decklights too and you get a bit of a sporting night sail!
 
RunAgroundHard said:
Yes they do, “forepart” but also states where they can best be seen. Larger vessels also in the stern, lower than forepart.
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As the general objective is to anchor in shelter, so in most cases boats will anchor lying bows to the shore and stern to the entrance / sea. Hence approaching boats generally much more likely to be approaching from astern. Hence under the boom is in fact usually better than ahead of the mast (and often easier to plug in).
 
dunedin said:
As the general objective is to anchor in shelter, so in most cases boats will anchor lying bows to the shore and stern to the entrance / sea. Hence approaching boats generally much more likely to be approaching from astern. Hence under the boom is in fact usually better than ahead of the mast (and often easier to plug in).
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mmmm no tide / current effects then ? Surely boat is 50% facing out ... 50% facing in depending on tidal flow ?? or wind ...
 
Refueler said:
mmmm no tide / current effects then ? Surely boat is 50% facing out ... 50% facing in depending on tidal flow ?? or wind ...
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Depends where you sail - presumably minimal / no tide in Baltic and Med, and also most anchorages I tend to use in Scotland in bays the tidal flow is not a big factor. Different perhaps for those who anchor in rivers rathet than bays.
 
RunAgroundHard said:
Yes they do, “forepart” but also states where they can best be seen. Larger vessels also in the stern, lower than forepart.
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Forepart is specified for >50 meters. For the OP's boat ...

Rule 30 (b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white
light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph
(a) of this Rule.

In fact, in smaller motor boats the anchor light is most commonly more than 50% aft.

Best be seen in open to interpretation, but as long as the 360 degree requirements is met, it would be difficult to argue it was wrong. The rule does not say it has to be at the highest point.

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For a few days, I would do as the OP suggested plus a deck or cockpit light. As long as the lights are white and visible all around you are trying. Of course it's not perfect.

The parafin suggestions were in jest ... I assume. And good luck finding one that meets the candela requirements at 2 miles. You need the right lens, not just a lantern.
 
If I mount an all-round light in the foretriangle the mast may block some of the aft direction so it cannot be seen all round so it has to be flexible.

Mounting an all-round light on top of the mast allows the light to be seen a full 360 degrees by has the disadvantage of east view from deck level
 
We use a cheap inflatable led solar powered lamp, they cost about a tenner, you leave them put all day to charge and they last all night. Very safe very bright and fold down to nothing
 
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