Anchor Lights - Is it a Law ?

[David M]

If you are in the territorial waters of a country that has adopted the COLREG's as law, then yes.

In the US for example the COLREGS are listed as law in the CFR's.

[John A]

Originally Posted by cal40john

Could you provide a link where your interpretation comes from? I'm curious since the actual text from the Colregs is posted in this thread in two separate posts, and links to the Colregs appear in at least three others and they all state the same thing.

John

I'm sorry to offend the sensibilities of those who adhear to the Colregs for their sailing expertise.
My comment was based on 25 years of boat ownership including 10 years of nonstop cruising and was a personnel observation.

kind regards, John

[Adelie]

The OP asked specifically what the law is regarding anchor lights.

Originally Posted by John A

International regs. require a masthead white light.

It there is any litigation for claims while you are at anchor, a lawyer would have a field day if you didn't have the light on.
Your choice.

You mis-state what the law says regarding location and predict dire consequences for those who don't follow the law.

Originally Posted by John A

OK. Take your chances with third world interrupition of the law.

You bring up a hypothetical case of an official mis-interpretting the law but don't indicate you have seen or experienced this problem.

Originally Posted by John A

I'm sorry to offend the sensibilities of those who adhear to the Colregs for their sailing expertise.
My comment was based on 25 years of boat ownership including 10 years of nonstop cruising and was a personnel observation.

kind regards, John

Now you are knocking those who do follow the law and imply that you have seen or experienced mis-interpretation of this law.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by John A

OK. Take your chances with third world interrupition of the law.

Interrupition? Yeah, I think I'll take my chances with interrupition, regardless of which world I find interrupitionizing.

[s/v Jedi]

Light or black ball? Imo it is light at night and black ball during daylight hours. The black ball is the day-sign.

I have seen the black ball enforced in the Caribbean.

ciao!
Nick.

[markpierce]

I'm betting the light on the top of the mast is the anchor (360-degree) light.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Light or black ball? Imo it is light at night and black ball during daylight hours. The black ball is the day-sign.

I have seen the black ball enforced in the Caribbean.

ciao!
Nick.

You absolutely sure about that....??

Buga... all these years......

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by DeepFrz

I personally think that lighting the boat in other ways is a big safety factor. Rail lighting, lights shining on the anchor roller and the stern are great ways to make your boat more visible.

Ships are required to light their decks in addition to anchor lights. Not a bad idea for boats.

[Jens1]

Apart from the lights to be shown requested by law the more light you will exhibit when being on anchor the better.

[swagman]

Originally Posted by John A

OK. Take your chances with third world interrupition of the law.

When these kind of questions arise invariably someone comes up with the 'legal risks'. The fact most who raise the point come from the USA might simply mean it's a much more litigatious society than I've experienced so far when travelling. If so, its a shame.

But luckily we live in a real world and can ask for real experiences.

So c'mon guys, there's quite a few cruisers who are on the site. Has anyone ever had actual experience of a legal action resulting from claimed insufficient anchor lights?

I've never heard of one. In the real world I travel the sensible ones make sure any boat close enough to hit them can see them using whatever lights are required to do that. The avoidance of that collision is more relevant than any interpretation of the rules, or the so called risks of legal action.

Cheers
John

[boatman61]

The reality is 60/40 roughly on the use of lights on anchor....
sometimes I do... sometimes not...
Ever been cautioned... never.

Yeah I know... what if dahdidah...

[barnakiel]

We use the top light just to keep any red tape bugs off. We leave a light too in the cockpit or deck area so that any late comers can actually see there is something floating under that star.

b.

[delmarrey]

I do have the mast head type but just hang a solar/battery powered lantern about 7' high from my forestay. For PNW foggy/hazy conditions it works best, IMHO.

[perchance]

For simplicity and general cheapness a lot of boaters here run a solar powered garden light up the backstay for an allround white light. They seem to work quite well.

[John A]

Originally Posted by Adelie

The OP asked specifically what the law is regarding anchor lights.


You mis-state what the law says regarding location and predict dire consequences for those who don't follow the law.


You bring up a hypothetical case of an official mis-interpretting the law but don't indicate you have seen or experienced this problem.


Now you are knocking those who do follow the law and imply that you have seen or experienced mis-interpretation of this law.

I ask for your forgiveness for expressing my opinion based on personnal experience.
I do not wish to continue a pissing contest with you, and will concede your expert knowledge of the law.
If you wish to rant at me anymore I request that you do so via PM.