Steaming light?

[theoldsalt]

I have 3-position switches.

1. Up = masthead tri, middle = off, down = deck level nav lights
2. Up = Anchor light, middle = off, down = steaming.

I did work out a system where starting the engine with the masthead or deck level nav lights on selects the deck level lights and turns on the steaming light, but didn't think that was really necessary, as I normally remember the lights. What I really need is a system that takes the anchor ball down for me when we leave an anchorage...

....and the motoring cone ?

What an excellent switching arrangement.

 

[rogerthebodger]

One of the problems we have at my home mooring that is in a commercial harbour are the tugs that have all the correct lights but mostly travel around the harbour backwards.

How that's confusing to say the least as tugs in our harbour always have right of way by law.

 

[Ric]

A small but powerful speedboat came past me at dusk last week.
No white light fwd or stern or all round, just a fwd facing Red light on the stbd side and a fwd facing Green light on the port side !!!!
Think about it

I have seen virtually every year for the past 5-6 seasons the same sailing boat (a French registered Feeling of about 36ft) anchored in various locations between Porquerolles and Corsica that has a bright red anchor light. I am sometimes tempted to swim over and ask if Madame is still available.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

On the contrary, the fact you asked the question suggests you do need them
There is no problem asking the question on the forum, asking questions is one way of learning,but considering the time you claim to have been sailing & the fact that you have still not understood this particular basic item suggest that you might be one of those that could actually benefit from a bit of training but are too inward thinking to realise it

There is certainly no shortage of you self richious know it all types in this forum.I hav'nt done much motoring around in the dark in the past so have obviously overlooked this.
Now I am aware of it I will be able to motor around until my hearts content

 

[affinite]

Careful or you'll get me started on my opinions on boats that insist on having a flashing red anchor light. Anchored boat or port hand mark - any ones guess?

One day I plan to do night video of the anchorages around Leros during the summer. Some look like Oxford street on Christmas eve

 

[longjohnsilver]

FFS get a life the pair of you - the OP didn't know so he asked the question - better he asks than make a balls of things - I suppose both of you knew everything when you started and never had to ask a question and never have to even now coz you know it all.

My thoughts too. Maybe he could have searched elsewhere for the answer, but that doesn't mean he should not ask here.

 

[awol]

There is certainly no shortage of you self richious know it all types in this forum.I hav'nt done much motoring around in the dark in the past so have obviously overlooked this.

I'm sorry if it has come across as self-righteous. Anyone who has obtained any sort of "ticket" from Day Skipper to Master Mariner has had to study and been able to demonstrate knowledge of the COLREGS including lights and, for me anyway, that involved a fair amount of time and effort. The parallel between boats/IRPCS and cars/Highway Code is IMO valid and necessary to avoid leisure sailors being labelled WAFIs.
Try http://www.sailtrain.co.uk/Irpcs/lights.test/test1.htm and see how you get on.

 

[ghostlymoron]

back to original question. The forward facing white up your mast is a steaming light to be illuminated at night if you're motoring in conjunction with port, starboard and stern lights. don't ever show your tricolour and port, starboard and stern lights together. If like mine your boat is under 7m, you can sail with just a white all round at the masthead (although some don't recommend it). If you've got a compass with illumination, you'll need to switch this on as well. I've got mine connected with diodes so that it comes on with my 'sailing' or 'steaming' lights. This arrangement saves having a separate switch for it.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

I'm sorry if it has come across as self-righteous. Anyone who has obtained any sort of "ticket" from Day Skipper to Master Mariner has had to study and been able to demonstrate knowledge of the COLREGS including lights and, for me anyway, that involved a fair amount of time and effort. The parallel between boats/IRPCS and cars/Highway Code is IMO valid and necessary to avoid leisure sailors being labelled WAFIs.
Try http://www.sailtrain.co.uk/Irpcs/lights.test/test1.htm and see how you get on.

Somehow I just knew that you would be the one with all the paper qualifications (you will be delighted to hear that I don't have any)

 

[KristiferColumbus]

back to original question. The forward facing white up your mast is a steaming light to be illuminated at night if you're motoring in conjunction with port, starboard and stern lights. don't ever show your tricolour and port, starboard and stern lights together. If like mine your boat is under 7m, you can sail with just a white all round at the masthead (although some don't recommend it). If you've got a compass with illumination, you'll need to switch this on as well. I've got mine connected with diodes so that it comes on with my 'sailing' or 'steaming' lights. This arrangement saves having a separate switch for it.

Yeah I think I've got the picture (& I have a very good 1980 copy of Reeds Nautical Almanac should I need to reference anything).I hav'nt got around to frigging with the compass yet......& besides it's got a bubble in it (& I'm not sure it's that important now that I have got gps) but I expect I shall get round to it eventually.:encouragement:

 

[awol]

Somehow I just knew that you would be the one with all the paper qualifications (you will be delighted to hear that I don't have any)

Wrong! I have only one from night classes 12 years ago but I did have a father who thought that I should be able to recite -

When all three lights I see ahead,
I turn to Starboard and show my Red.
Green to Green, Red to Red,
Perfect Safety – Go Ahead.
But if to Starboard Red appear,
It is my duty to keep clear –
To act as judgement says is proper:
To Port or Starboard, Back or Stop her.
And if upon my Port is seen
A Vessel’s Starboard light of Green,
There’s nought for me to do but see
That Green to Port stays Clear of me.
Both in safety and in doubt
Always keep a good look out.
In danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her, Stop her, Go Astern.

..... And absolutely not "delighted" but then from your ignorance, neither am I surprised. Why you seem to be proud of it, I really don't understand

 

[ghostlymoron]

The absence of paper qualifications doesn't mean that you don't know things nor does the ability to recite poems prove that you do. I've never been asked to produce certification even when booking a flotilla holiday (although that was several years ago). But I have done various theory and practical courses out of interest and for my own safety (and that of my crew). Its very re-assuring to be able to see some lights at night and know how big and what direction they are travelling without AIS which I don't have.

 

[KristiferColumbus]

Wrong! I have only one from night classes 12 years ago but I did have a father who thought that I should be able to recite -

..... And absolutely not "delighted" but then from your ignorance, neither am I surprised. Why you seem to be proud of it, I really don't understand

My old man brought me up to make up my own mind & if that's alright with you that's what I'll continue to do

 

[KristiferColumbus]

The absence of paper qualifications doesn't mean that you don't know things nor does the ability to recite poems prove that you do. I've never been asked to produce certification even when booking a flotilla holiday (although that was several years ago). But I have done various theory and practical courses out of interest and for my own safety (and that of my crew). Its very re-assuring to be able to see some lights at night and know how big and what direction they are travelling without AIS which I don't have.

The type of sailing I do I prefer to be settled down in a nice anchorage at night.I could'nt care less what other vessels are doing as long as they ar'nt on a collision course with me

 

[Avocet]

My thoughts too. Maybe he could have searched elsewhere for the answer, but that doesn't mean he should not ask here.

Quite. As far as being a means of friendly information exchange between people who supposedly all enjoy the same pastime is concerned, I think this forum has something of a death wish at times!

 

[niccapotamus]

FFS get a life the pair of you - the OP didn't know so he asked the question - better he asks than make a balls of things - I suppose both of you knew everything when you started and never had to ask a question and never have to even now coz you know it all.

+1

I inhabit a couple of different forums - motorbike forums and several musician's forums and I have to say that the sailing ones are by far the least welcoming (embarrassingly so). perhaps sailing attracts a lot of people who are unable to see other points of view, display empathy or often common courtesy......

 

[Rock Dodger]

I have a white light about a quarter of the way down from the top of my mast facing forward that I'm not sure I know the purpose of.

I also have a masthead light Red/Green/White.A light at my spreaders & deck navigation lights Port/Starboard on the bow & a white stern light.

Can someone explain under what circumstances you use the white light in question & in conjunction with what other lights please as I am in the process of wiring them all up & I need to know the combination of lights for the switch pannel

Years ago, my girlfriend's Dad asked me what the orange light was on the instrument panel of his car. I told him it was the oil light and asked him why. He said it had been on all the way home from work and said "Is it important?" The two other blokes in the room and I exchanged glances, rolled our eyes and shook our heads.

 

[WoodyP]

KC is a wonderful Troll, why do you keep feeding him?

 

[KristiferColumbus]

Years ago, my girlfriend's Dad asked me what the orange light was on the instrument panel of his car. I told him it was the oil light and asked him why. He said it had been on all the way home from work and said "Is it important?" The two other blokes in the room and I exchanged glances, rolled our eyes and shook our heads.

I'm sure she was a lovely girl even though her father was obviously as daft as a brush & your judgement was impeccable!

 

[KristiferColumbus]

KC is a wonderful Troll, why do you keep feeding him?

You are an idiot.My intentions in starting this thread simply could'nt have been any more honest or strait forward.
I suspect you are the type of person that thinks that the whole twin towers incident was orchestrated by President Bush & the CIA.You simply need to get out more!