Wansworth
Well-known member
Can be confusing in an anchorage thinking the light is at the bows and it’s errr……not
Steaming light and stern light as anchor light
- Thread starter kingsebi
- Start date
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
I would not worry about it, as long as it’s all round white and of a reasonable brightness.
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
Article Anchor lights test
kingsebi
Active member
Yes, I thought about that too… Would be more convenient for mounting and cable though
Frank Holden
Well-known member
'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.
capnsensible
Well-known member
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!
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!
dunedin
Well-known member
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).
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
Indeed, with the added advantage of no downlighting through the fore cabin hatch, to aft cabin hatch. Not all boats have blinds.
Refueler
Well-known member
mmmm no tide / current effects then ? Surely boat is 50% facing out ... 50% facing in depending on tidal flow ?? or wind ...
LittleSister
Well-known member
Wansworth
Well-known member
And a handful of nails.pleaseYour handy local traditional style ironmongers.
Oh, hang on.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
So what about coming in across tide looking for a mooring spot or a mooring buoy? Normally one might expect boats moving up or down tide to be out in a fairway rather than in a mooring area- would they not?
dunedin
Well-known member
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.
dunedin
Well-known member
Good article - not just because he seems to concur with my view and use a light below the boom / above the sprayhood.
And the first light listed, which came out well, is also the one we use. (Not the masthead one we also have.)
thinwater
Well-known member
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.
rogerthebodger
Well-known member
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
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
Bilgediver
Well-known member
I have an anchor light that can be hung from the forestay at a suitable height. Much easier to change the bulb.
stuartwineberg
Well-known member
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
Sandy
Well-known member
and stinks the place to high heaven.Yes but a litre can goes a long way…….andis very nautical
Sandy
Well-known member
Some people need to visit SpecSavers other, and some would argue better, opticians are available,