What does a continuous quick flash white mean?

I think you may have seen boats using purse seine gear that was hampered by its gear. They may exhibit two yellow lights in a vertical line that flash alternately, I think it was once a second. This is straight out of IRPCS
 
I quite agree with you comments on the improper use Mike. But has to be seen in the context of the use being inappropriate not in the context of their carriage being innappropriate.

For example, flares are carried by most boats and could be used inappropriately but we don't get angst about flares being carried but only against those that misuse them. Same should apply to masthead strobes - or any other strobes intended to identify a vessel during SAR such as those on 406 EPIRB's which I mentioned.

With respect the strength of my post, I thought it quite appropriate for a twat (of which there are a number of on these forums) who likes to place the blame for everything on the USA (sort of a penis envy thing I think /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) - in this case, as I pointed out, he needs to widen his experience of the fitting of masthead strobes before making silly and immature comments /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

John
 
These lights are totally illegal

Don't be silly - another foolish off the cuff claim /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

You can carry whatever lights you like on a boat. The only requirement is that during the times when lights must be shown other lights which may be mistaken for navigation lights (eg another green light, for example) or impair their visibility (eg floodlighting) must not be used.

Even their use is not illegal, but is only to be avoided.

John
 
Hear ! Hear!
The many American sailors I sail with are all very keen to do their best to 'get it right' - so quite naturally turn to us visiting Brits to tell them how to do it (tee hee) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Still haven't managed to get them to drive on the correct side of the road though! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Many come down here too - I suspect also to get some lessons /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

John
 
Possibly a purse seiner, and two alternately flashing lights only 0.9 m apart might look like one light from a distance. But, I had a good view of the boat and am pretty sure that what I saw on the fishing boat was a single yellow beacon, as used by the AA. Also, this was in daylight, and I did not see any nav lights in use.

Have to admit though that the fishing boat was easily seen.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Flashing yellow seems to have been adop[ted by French fishermen. Saw a fishing boat mid channel with yellow flashing beacon similar to that used by breakdown trucks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes we use this, but only in extremis, when a ship gives no indication of giving way. It is the light for an air cushion vehicle, but serves to make them sit up and take notice.
 
I only wished to make the same points as you make yourself John but draw attention to the fact that while you can carry what you like you should be prudent in its use. The ignorant prejudice regarding our American cousins is not something I support at all. In fact I used to live and sail on the west coast myself.
As far as legality is concerned, the full regs (which few people seem to read) allows for any reasonable means of drawing attention to a vessel in distress.
I think I would personally prefer a strobe light to other methods mentioned like waving arms, flying an ensign upside down, or lighting a fire in a tar barrel !
As far as self opinionated pratts are concerned, well, while they are more numerous than we would like, I think I will pass on that one as I am often one to express a strong view myself.
So the message is : Carry one by all means, good idea, but just like Fisherman, only use it to attract attention in an emergency.
 
Re: Red flasher

Think also a red all round is often used too.

But as dangerous goods are nothing to do with the avoidance of collisions I don't think these lights are anything to do with ColRegs (I have not double checked tho' so stand to be corrected on that).

John
 
Was watching a program on TV last night about Sardine fishermen in the South West and the trawler had an AA type yellow flahing light on the cabin roof. It seemed to be on all the time when the nets were out.

Graham
 
Quick flash white means 'I want to be noticed'

It's not provided for in colregs, which say that the use of flashing or strobe lights should be avoided except as specified in colregs.

Colregs specify a yellow strobe for air cushion vehicles; the reason is that their aspect is not necessarily related to the direction they are moving through the water, so you have to interpret their red/greens with care.

Purse seine netters working among other fishing vessels may also show yellow flashing lights or strobes. The reason is that they can't get out of the way of other fishing vessels. Obvious really.

There is also provision for ground effect air/watercraft to show strobes, but I don't think many of those have got off the ground yet.

For reasons I'm not aware of, the Cowes fast catamaran ferries carry yellow strobes as well. Heaven knows why; at their speed only they can initiate avoiding action, so no-one needs to notice them. Perhaps it's a habit carried through from hovercraft days. They just like to be noticed. But it may be a local reg peculiar to the Solent.

Incidentally, there was a population of blue strobes among big RIBS at Cowes. No, they weren't police. Most had corporate logos, and I think they also came under the heading of 'I want to be noticed'. Bit like those dicky little blue lights that shine forwards on some cars - usually those which bound down the road to the beat of their megawatt sound systems.
 
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