Strobe lights- a mariners request.

[moody1]

[ QUOTE ]
Being seen is only part of the equation. If they don't know what you are then it causes confusion.
Personally, I don't think that a strobe should be used in the way you are suggesting.

Going back to rule 20b and your comments about deck lights.
I have seen many commercial boats not complying with this rule. The deck lights frequently outshine the navigation lights to the extent that you just can't see the things.

[/ QUOTE ]

Deck lights are allowed if vessel is at anchor, and strobes as Brendan has rightly pointed out are specific to certain vessels or craft - Hovercraft etc.
Use of strobes I also and hubby agrees should be avoided as they could lead to considerable confusion.
Take a yacht in English Channel or near Solent, this could easily lead to confused shipping or other craft thinking you are a Naval Craft on exercise. What do they do then ?
Navigation lights despite various posts / texts over recent months are actually seen at sea at reasonable distance in anything except bad weather. We spend a lot of time offshore and can verify that fact.
We have to say in addition that our second pet dislike is the tricolour light !

 

[Loginname]

[ QUOTE ]
[We have to say in addition that our second pet dislike is the tricolour light !

[/ QUOTE ]
With my modest electrical set up you've got a choice. A tricolour or no damned lights at all. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[chanelyacht]

Strobes are also pretty effective at destroying the night vision of helo crews, and can actually cause serious injury if they're using image intensifiers.

 

[Loginname]

I'm beginning to think that maybe I won't refit the thing.

What would a helo pilot do if he was approaching a legitimate flashing light?

 

[robstracey]

Anyone who shows misleading lights, such as a strobe or beacon light, has to except that they are breaking the law, and this will be the (probably sucsessfull) defence of the ship which may well run them down thinking them to be a havercraft/WIG craft, and a give way vessel.

End of.

 

[roly_voya]

I can't understand why there is this sudden enthusiasm for strobes. The traditional way of attracting additional attention in a sail boat is 1000000 candle power on those big white sheets - beats a stobe every time and complies with the regs. Of course if you think it is clearer for people think you are a hovercraft or a notherly cardinal that s up to you...

 

[bilbobaggins]

[ QUOTE ]
My own view remains

[/ QUOTE ]

One understands your view, and your reasons for holding it. I have considerable respect for the wisdom embodied in the Colregs, but am also very aware of the provisions of Rule 2 - '....or by the special circumstances of the case', and of Rule 17b - '...she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision.'

I have carried in my oilies jacket pocket, for several decades, a personal strobe built to MilSpecs by the ACR company. It has been used just *twice* at sea, and on both occasions it was both entirely necessary to be seen - and seen quickly - and was entirely effective. On each occasion the options under all the relevant ColRegs were considered, and the above were judged most relevant. I did and do not act contrary to the Regs lightly, but do know that the above sub-Rules are listed to aid decision-making when in a dangerous but non-standard situation.

IMHO, it's not just about knowing the Rules, but in understanding them.

[ QUOTE ]
"Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools" - Group Captain Douglas Bader

[/ QUOTE ]


/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BrendanS]

Which doesn't seem that far from my comment of
[ QUOTE ]

If cruising transatlantic, and if a large vessel does not appear to have seen you, I might have one wired up to backup powerful handlamp and flares. If in or around UK or other congested coastlines, no, I'd rather they can see my navigation lamps, and make an accurate guesstimate of my speed and heading, and I'd use handlamp or white flares to make my presence known.

Would never use strobe as a standard practice.

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[Woodentop]

[ QUOTE ]
Strobes at sea is similar to the numpties who use their hazards on the motorway whenever they slow-down. I have noticed that it is only the cars that are travelling at excess speed and have to break violently who use them to indicate that they are slowing down.

The highway code states quite clearly that hazard warning lights are only to be used at the scene or an accident or breakdown.

[/ QUOTE ]

As a numpty who drives far too fast on motorways I use my brake lights to inform the car behind that I am slowing down and my hazard lights to inform the car behind that I am slowing down far faster than he expects.

This is so that the terribly sensible person behind me does not slam into my stationary car because he was driving well inside the speed limit but did not expect to find a stationary car in front of him.

ESAD

 

[bilbobaggins]

[ QUOTE ]
Would never use strobe as a standard practice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup. Agreed.

However, when the bloggers are clearly not taking action as required, because they're maybe drunk/drugged/ill-intentioned ( some Spanish trawler crews off SW Wales ) and one doesn't have the option of achieving avoidance by one's own actions alone ( on the wind, no engine ), then 'something must be done'.....

....something was done - which may have made the miscreants think we might possibly be some form of police boat - and the bloggers bloggered off sharpish! The strobe was switched off, and the kettle put on. Job done.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[BrendanS]

Then carry heavy duty guns, and shoot them?

Kettle on, job done. No one will ever know

 

[Loginname]

It's probably a little naiive to think that in a real emergency you are going to have time to hit the flasher switch.

 

[Cornishman]

[ QUOTE ]
As a numpty who drives far too fast on motorways I use my brake lights to inform the car behind that I am slowing down and my hazard lights to inform the car behind that I am slowing down far faster than he expects.

This is so that the terribly sensible person behind me does not slam into my stationary car because he was driving well inside the speed limit but did not expect to find a stationary car in front of him.

[/ QUOTE ]

These two paragraphs are contradictory, are they not? In the first you say you use your hazard warning lights to indicate you are slowing faster than the followers might expect, and in the second you say it is to avoid others running into you when stationary. Which is it?

Would it not be better to stay legal and drive within whatever speed limit is in force and not use the flashers for illegal purposes?

 

[Cornishman]

[ QUOTE ]
Strobes are only illegal in the sense that they are not navigation lights

[/ QUOTE ]

I would draw your attention to Rule 36 "Signals to attract attention"
the last line of which says,
For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided.

 

[Loginname]

[ QUOTE ]
....something was done - which may have made the miscreants think we might possibly be some form of police boat - and the bloggers bloggered off sharpish! The strobe was switched off, and the kettle put on. Job done.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly how I see it. One off, brief use.

 

[whipper_snapper]

I use my hazard warning lights to warn of a hazard - I thought that is what they were for. Am I wrong ?

A hazard includes very slow or stationary traffic on a wet dark motorway with several 100 tons of steel rapidly closing on my rear.

If that makes me a numpty - I am a numpty.

(As for strobes on masts; I agree with the OP!)

 

[Salty John]

I'm quite familiar with the Colregs, thanks. As you note the words are ...'shall be avoided', not 'are prohibited'.
The overriding intention of the Colregs is to avoid collision at sea and, as noted by others, you are required to use any means at your disposal to avoid collision.
My point was that flashing a strobe to identify yourself is not illegal; using a strobe as a navigation light when you are not entitled to (hovercraft etc) is illegal.
You can buy Solas approved life jacket and personal strobes so someone thinks thay are good for attracting attention, which was the entire point of my posting.

 

[whipper_snapper]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
....something was done - which may have made the miscreants think we might possibly be some form of police boat - and the bloggers bloggered off sharpish! The strobe was switched off, and the kettle put on. Job done.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly how I see it. One off, brief use.

[/ QUOTE ]


I would completely agree. But, anyone who sails on the Solent knows what would happen if strobes were commonly fitted. How many boats do you see with mastehead tri, bow bicolour, mast white stern white, all on at the same time! Do you think they would not turn on the strobe as well if they had one!

 

[Loginname]

[ QUOTE ]
I would completely agree. But, anyone who sails on the Solent knows what would happen if strobes were commonly fitted. How many boats do you see with mastehead tri, bow bicolour, mast white stern white, all on at the same time! Do you think they would not turn on the strobe as well if they had one!

[/ QUOTE ]

ColRegs could be modified easily enough. This lighting configuration would mean "Idiot on board". /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[absit_omen]

My view is that extremely powerful strobe lights should be fitted, by law, to every boat.

The light would be activated only when the red button on the VHF DSC is hit. Until that switch is hit, the strobe would be disabled.

Any boat displaying a strobe light would therefore be in a MAYDAY situation and require immediate assistance.

Or is that too simplistic?