What do we think about flashing anchor lights?

[oldmanofthehills]

For your information, this is the offending object: Amazon "Boat navigation light"

Looks like a resounding "NO!" then . In my defence, I assumed that along with various flashing modes there would also be a "fixed" one!

The reason I was looking for a solar/battery unit was that there is no 12V supply easily available near the mast. This is only a temporary arrangement until I can attend to the in-mast wiring.

Anyway, as Amazon doesn't seem to have anything suitable with a boat/marine tag, I'll follow advice and look at "camping" lights (I may have already found a suitable one).

Traditionally a light was hung from the boom so it swayed more. Mast head built in is a great convenience but as others have said, has issues. I have both

Camping lamp on boom sounds a good fix

 

[Refueler]

For your information, this is the offending object: Amazon "Boat navigation light"

Looks like a resounding "NO!" then . In my defence, I assumed that along with various flashing modes there would also be a "fixed" one!

The reason I was looking for a solar/battery unit was that there is no 12V supply easily available near the mast. This is only a temporary arrangement until I can attend to the in-mast wiring.

Anyway, as Amazon doesn't seem to have anything suitable with a boat/marine tag, I'll follow advice and look at "camping" lights (I may have already found a suitable one).

I picked up this :



The knob on the front switches it on and also acts as a dimmer ... the handle can be rotated to underneath or over top as it is here ... hang it from boom / line up for'd ...
Its recharged from USB ... it has 3.7v LiIon 18650 of 2000mAh and lasts all night easily if turned down to medium - which is more than enough ...

Cost about a fiver in local DIY camping section.

It has more uses of course ... sundowners in cockpit ..... cabin light ... etc

 

[[70521]]

Chain ferries also flash yellow

Have to admit that the last time I was on the Cowes Floating Bridge during the hours of darkness was after a session in a pub and it was a bit hard to focus, but there was a severe pain in my wallet the following morning.

 

[[70521]]

I saw a jetski-without any nav lights-hit a yacht anchored in Cawsands bay one night.

I'd put that down to the jet ski rider not having a clue having no situational awareness, going to fast, having imbibed to much intoxicating liquor. Or a combination of all of the above.

When it comes to speed it's not only jet skis, who have a habit of going up and down and up and down the Tarmar, but the RN/RM in their new rigid raiders.

The RN/RM vessels do slow down if you use your best parade ground voice.

On a more general note I hear today that sight tests maybe introduced for car drivers over 70. Perhaps this should also be applied to sailors who can't see moored vessels with a masthead anchor light.

For the hard of seeing I have guardrails with reflective flecks running through the outer core.

 

[Mark-1]

I'd put that down to the jet ski rider not having a clue having no situational awareness, going to fast, having imbibed to much intoxicating liquor. Or a combination of all of the above.

Sound just like the sort of person who might be more likely to see a lower level anchor light, thus saving hassle for the guy he would have crashed into.

 

[rotrax]

Sound just like the sort of person who might be more likely to see a lower level anchor light, thus saving hassle for the guy he would have crashed into.

Exactly. The reason I hate masthead anchor lights is the difficulty of picking them out at close quarters as they are so high. I have mistaken one against the shore background lights and also mistaken a dim one for a Star.

My home made large lens bright LED lamp in the foretriangle is far, far more visible, as well as showing some of the boats shape/outline.

For the hard of seeing I have guardrails with reflective flecks running through the outer core.

So, Sandy, you agree that low level indication is of use?

 

[Poignard]

I can't see any point in masthead anchor lights.

Unless you're planning to anchor amongst shipping.

COLREGS is perfectly clear:

30(b) A vessel of less than 50 m 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. [emphasis added]

It seems obvious that where it can best be seen means seen by those who are most likely to run into you in a small craft anchorage, ie skippers of other small craft; and a light at eye level is more likely to be seen by them than one up in the air.

It's no good saying what they ought to see, what matters is what they actually see.

 

[seeSimon]

Hovercraft, but it is yellow.

Emergency Services, but that is blue.

Yes, yellow for hovercraft...but widely adopted by the fishing fleet as a "lookout have you seen me" type of light in, in what (imho) is quickly becoming some sort of illumination arms race.

Both at sea, and on the road!

 

[Boathook]

I'd put that down to the jet ski rider not having a clue having no situational awareness, going to fast, having imbibed to much intoxicating liquor. Or a combination of all of the above.

When it comes to speed it's not only jet skis, who have a habit of going up and down and up and down the Tarmar, but the RN/RM in their new rigid raiders.

The RN/RM vessels do slow down if you use your best parade ground voice.

On a more general note I hear today that sight tests maybe introduced for car drivers over 70. Perhaps this should also be applied to sailors who can't see moored vessels with a masthead anchor light.

For the hard of seeing I have guardrails with reflective flecks running through the outer core.

Very few look up when entering an anchorage. You look ahead. Looking up is it a street light or some star; I had this at Cawsand. Reflective guardrails only work if there is light for them to reflect.

 

[[70521]]

So, Sandy, you agree that low level indication is of use?

Actually no. The original reason for fitting the guard line with reflective flecks was to easily identify the boat when coming alongside at night. After all, to misquote Little Britain, ' I'm the only glittery boat in the anchorage. '

It has become an unintentional mitigation for skippers/helm who are not paying attention.

I hope that everybody coming into an anchorage or picking up their mooring lines has planned the event and has their eyes on stalks if single handed or posted crew to help.

I'm always surprised by the number of unlit boats that move about on the Tamar in the wee small hours. RN/RM/MOD Police/Border Force or others?

 

[[70521]]

Very few look up when entering an anchorage. You look ahead. Looking up is it a street light or some star; I had this at Cawsand. Reflective guardrails only work if there is light for them to reflect.

Perhaps I am one of the few who do look up and all round when entering an anchorage.

Why? Because I know there are boats with masthead lights, some with lights above deck level, some with pretty coloured lights (plus lots of chatter and loud music) and even some with lights under the water and some with all of the above.

 

[Mark-1]

It has become an unintentional mitigation for skippers/helm who are not paying attention.

I hope that everybody coming into an anchorage or picking up their mooring lines has planned the event and has their eyes on stalks if single handed or posted crew to help.

Making your boat slightly less obvious to punish people with poor observation by luring them into your own gel coat is a slightly perverse attempt to improve marine safety.

An alternative strategy might be to make your boat really obvious so inattentive people don't crash into you!

 

[Refueler]

I can't see any point in masthead anchor lights.

Unless you're planning to anchor amongst shipping.

COLREGS is perfectly clear:

30(b) A vessel of less than 50 m 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. [emphasis added]

It seems obvious that where it can best be seen means seen by those who are most likely to run into you in a small craft anchorage, ie skippers of other small craft; and a light at eye level is more likely to be seen by them than one up in the air.

It's no good saying what they ought to see, what matters is what they actually see.

I assume you are aware that ships at anchor are advised to put on a few decklights etc to highlight the ship itself ? Not just have the two all round whites (one fwd - one aft) ....

Its a good lesson for yotties as well ... so you have whatever anchor light .. masthead or not - plus a few solar charged or whatever lights to show up the boat itself or at least enough to ward off others.

I have a masthead anchor light as well as LED items - see my previous post ... if anyone crashes into me - they must be blind and stupid !!

 

[Poignard]

I assume you are aware that ships at anchor are advised to put on a few decklights etc to highlight the ship itself ? Not just have the two all round whites (one fwd - one aft) ....

Its a good lesson for yotties as well ... so you have whatever anchor light .. masthead or not - plus a few solar charged or whatever lights to show up the boat itself or at least enough to ward off others.

I have a masthead anchor light as well as LED items - see my previous post ... if anyone crashes into me - they must be blind and stupid !!

Well bully for you. If you want to pretend your little boat is a ship, do so.

Personally, I like to enjoy the peace and serenity of an anchorage with no more than the necessary lights visible. No flashing lights, underwater lights, garden path lights, music, and what have you to spoil the experience.

And anchor lights where they can best be seen, ie at eye level; and not so bright as to ruin someone's night vision.

It works and it makes sailing a pleasant experience; as it has done for decades.

When I started sailing, the only lamps on the ordinary man's yachts were oil lamps. Bit of a nuisance filling them, admittedly, but they fulfilled their purpose.

I think I would remember if I had crashed into anybody, or if anyone had crashed into me. It never happened!

Too many people nowadays live in a state of constant fear - will they get run into, will they sink, will they get blown up, will they catch fire, will they get robbed, will they get lost, will their anchor drag, will their paint get scratched, will they get gassed, what if the engine fails, what if the fridge doesn't work, and so on.

Going to sea must be hell for them! Faced with so many perils of the deep!

 

[Boathook]

@Poignard the fridge not working and producing ice is a serious problem. We nearly delayed a voyage whilst we sorted the fridge out for ice !

 

[Poignard]

@Poignard the fridge not working and producing ice is a serious problem. We nearly delayed a voyage whilst we sorted the fridge out for ice !

The only fridge problem I ever had, was not having one!

If it hadn't been for the Fray Bentos pies, the corned beef and the baked beans, I don't know what we'd have done!

 

[Cerebus]

The one significant problem with Musketeer is that there is either faulty wiring up the mast or the masthead bulb is blown. Neither can I do much about at the moment, but plan to investigate over Winter haul-out. I have bought from Amazon a solar-powered all-round white light that you can haul up with a spare halyard (or burgee line). As expected, it charges during the day and lights up at night. The only problem is that there is no steady light, just various strobe modes.
Do we think this is an acceptable device for an anchor light?
I can't see any problem with it being confused with shore lights. For one thing, the flash rate is far faster than any lighthouse or beacon that I'm aware of.
A conventional anchor light positioned anywhere other than the masthead is going to appear to flash due to various obstructions moving in front of it anyway (halyards, mast, furled sail, etc.)
Many thanks!

Are you a Cardinal bouy?

 

[Refueler]

Well bully for you. If you want to pretend your little boat is a ship, do so.

Personally, I like to enjoy the peace and serenity of an anchorage with no more than the necessary lights visible. No flashing lights, underwater lights, garden path lights, music, and what have you to spoil the experience.

And anchor lights where they can best be seen, ie at eye level; and not so bright as to ruin someone's night vision.

It works and it makes sailing a pleasant experience; as it has done for decades.

When I started sailing, the only lamps on the ordinary man's yachts were oil lamps. Bit of a nuisance filling them, admittedly, but they fulfilled their purpose.

I think I would remember if I had crashed into anybody, or if anyone had crashed into me. It never happened!

Too many people nowadays live in a state of constant fear - will they get run into, will they sink, will they get blown up, will they catch fire, will they get robbed, will they get lost, will their anchor drag, will their paint get scratched, will they get gassed, what if the engine fails, what if the fridge doesn't work, and so on.

Going to sea must be hell for them! Faced with so many perils of the deep!

Hang on a bit matey .... where did I say about :

"flashing lights, underwater lights, garden path lights, music, and what have you to spoil the experience."

2+2 is NOT 5 ...

My post was to inform some that are unaware that use of lighting to highlight the boat / ship itself is actually advised. My usual as I already stated .... masthead anchor light + an LED lantern hung lower that gives some amount of light on the deck ..... certainly not party light stuff !!

As to todays environment ... I call that out - already we have quote of Jet Ski hitting a boat ... and I am sure its not only one case ...
Today a wider range of persons venture on to the water .... and with that increase in numbers - the incident rates increase. The number of idiots on the water also.

I for one object to your implied - that I live in fear on the water ....

Your opinion and interpretation of my post is way out of order and way off the mark.

 

[Poignard]

Hang on a bit matey .... where did I say about :

"flashing lights, underwater lights, garden path lights, music, and what have you to spoil the experience."

2+2 is NOT 5 ...

My post was to inform some that are unaware that use of lighting to highlight the boat / ship itself is actually advised. My usual as I already stated .... masthead anchor light + an LED lantern hung lower that gives some amount of light on the deck ..... certainly not party light stuff !!

As to todays environment ... I call that out - already we have quote of Jet Ski hitting a boat ... and I am sure its not only one case ...
Today a wider range of persons venture on to the water .... and with that increase in numbers - the incident rates increase. The number of idiots on the water also.

I for one object to your implied - that I live in fear on the water ....

Your opinion and interpretation of my post is way out of order and way off the mark.

I thought it would have been clear that in my post I progressed from the particular to the general.

 

[lustyd]

Paraffin lamps work well on diesel. A bit more smelly but in your forestays, who cares?

You do whatever you fancy on your boat, i’m not going to do it on mine and I’ll repeat what I said any time I see someone suggest all boats should have obsolete solutions on board.