Anchor Light

[Chris Murray]

If you have separate port & starboard lights fitted to your boat, do you have a facility to turn them off, leaving the all-round white? (assuming you don't have a separate stern light, of course).

If not - what do you do when watching fireworks, for example?

Thanks.

Chris.

[Nos4r2]

I used one of those solar powered garden lights. Saves flattening the battery and your night vision doesn't suffer.

[jyasaki]

US regs say that while underway at night, a small motor vessel must have the red and green side markers (each visible from straight ahead to 135 degrees from ahead), and a white stern light (an all-around may be used in place of the stern light.)

While at anchor, an all-around white light only must be displayed.

I have the white and side lights on separate switches, but I have also seen three position switches used (Nav+White - OFF - White only.)

So, if you're anchored, white on, sides off. If you are drifting, not sure (though I would leave the white on and shut off the side lights in that case.) Underway, sides and white on.

I would assume the regs are the same in the UK.

jky

[Alex Brown]

I ran a new feed to power the top white on its own on my boat last year for this very reason. Originally, all 3 lights were powered from one switch, but now, I can turn the colours and the white on and off independently.

Whether you use your standard top white or another all round white light, as far as I know, if you are in the dark at anchor you should have this.

-Alex

[mark-f]

Originally Posted by Alex Brown

I ran a new feed to power the top white on its own on my boat last year for this very reason. Originally, all 3 lights were powered from one switch, but now, I can turn the colours and the white on and off independently.

Whether you use your standard top white or another all round white light, as far as I know, if you are in the dark at anchor you should have this.

-Alex

I use Seachoice Rocker switches on my rib, I have 8 switches for the usual gear plus a on-off-on DPDT switch for the nav lights, press it one way for all nav lights the the other way for all round white only.

to wire it up use one side for white and the otherside for port& stbd.

works really well, also they do switches for bilge pump ie on-off-momentry on


http://www.yachtiq.com/SEACHOICE-CON...-On-SP-P-6581/


regards

mark

[Simon Hawkins]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

US regs say that while underway at night, a small motor vessel must have the red and green side markers (each visible from straight ahead to 135 degrees from ahead), and a white stern light (an all-around may be used in place of the stern light.)

I think you may want to recheck those as the US regs will be the same here, as they are International. If you are only showing a port, starboard and a stern light this would make you a yacht, not under power. You should always show an all round white light.

I think you may of missed the part in the regulations regarding the size of vessel as it will refer to mast head lights.

With regards to Chris question yes I do have a seperate swith for my all round white light.

Simon

[Derrick]

Chris

I anticipate a lively debate! My view is that whilst drifting, not anchored and not attached to a mooring, you are under way but not making way. In this case I suggest both sidelights and all round white. For what it's worth.

[Tim M]

My Ribcraft apears to have been factory fitted with a rocker switch to allow the white light to be turned on on its own.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Simon Hawkins

If you are only showing a port, starboard and a stern light this would make you a yacht, not under power. You should always show an all round white light.

Possible that I am wrong. I do recall that an all-around is *not* required while underway; I'll check that out and repost.

Checked it out, and Simon is correct; it is an all-around light for small recreational vessels.

I think you may of missed the part in the regulations regarding the size of vessel as it will refer to mast head lights.

Nope, didn't miss it. Didn't think it applicable to the conversation (if you were referring to larger sized vessels.) I was going from memory on the light standards, so I didn't miss it there, either.

As an aside, was out on the SF Bay for our 4th of July fireworks; about 25% of the recreational power boats and fully 75% of the recreational sailboats displayed incorrect lights while running (if they displayed any at all.)

jky

[Alex Brown]

I wonder though, if you are drifting without the engine turned on and not specifically underway, should you be displaying lights in the form of Red, White and Red in a vertical line since you are restricted?
I know we use this for towage, but how far down the line does it go I wonder, is it commercial vessels only? - remember it's all about being seen and letting others know what you're doing, or not as the case may be.

-Alex