Anchor Lights

[JPA Cate]

The masthead anchor light is often the first one we see, as we are approaching an anchorage in the dark. I think it IS important for that reason.

However, once you are among the anchored boats, looking for a slot to put yourself in, the lower down anchor light, which usually illuminates quite a lot of the boat, really helps you find a slot if one is there.

Fwiw, the inexpensive garden lights go very dim: depends on how old their batteries are, how early they get dim. Just an opinion, but I think a normal light powered by ships batteries, or by rechargeables that stay bright all night, are a much better way to go.

Ann

[Benz]

Knowing that many boats are poorly lit at night or not at all, why wouldn't you just keep a sharper lookout when transiting an area where boats are moored or anchored? I've rowed through dark mooring fields/anchorages hundreds of times and never hit anyone. It's easy enough to carry an LED headlamp to make sure you're not aiming for anyone. Grousing about the bad seamanship of not lighting up is dumber than not having the good seamanship to pay attention.

[AndyEss]

Garden lights for me. I have several mounted (ok taped) to my stanchions to give me light on deck. I have another one on the bimini for the cockpit. I have one (when anchored) on my flag halyard off the strbd spreader.
They do a lousy job on garden light QC of their batteries. Some last and last, and are bright, or they go dim within a month or so. Replacement batteries are available, but sometimes they don’t make a difference. Poor QA on the solar panel,but at a buck or two, who cares?

[RaymondR]

Originally Posted by sailstoo

Oh, have "guns on boats" been addressed in a thread? I always wondered if folks carry 'em on their boat...LOL!

How about, Do guns on boats mitigate global warming prevent climate change and reduce polar ice cover loss?

[MartinR]

I use one of these:



They are specially made for the purpose. Cold white light. Auto on-off, draws 120mA. Is visible for 1.6NM. And not expensive to buy.

My version actually also has a downlight for cockpit lighting:

[noelex 77]

Garden lights as a supplement to a legal 2nm anchor light:

Garden lights on their own:

[wrwakefield]

I agree. Ignoring whether lighting is required or not, anyone who has transited a packed anchorage in the dark knows how invisible our boats are- even sailboats with a masthead anchor light are 'invisible' when fairly close at hand.

Even though I rarely see other boats, I have had the habit of displaying 4- 2+ mile anchor lights [masthead, bow, stern, and amidships] for the last 30 years or so on various vessels I have had. Today, with quality, purpose built LED bulbs [with photo sensors] there is no logical counter argument at 0.1 amp 12VDC/bulb. That only consumes ~5AH/12 hours [e.g., during overnight dark period] for 4 very bright white lights.

That is an easy choice for me; one which requires no special arrangements or energy planning [or second thoughts...]

It may also be worth mentioning the effectiveness of passive reflective material [e.g., 3M self adjesive materials] installed in prime spots [mast, cabin sides, etc.] to provide some visibility for anyone shining some light [flashlight/ spotlight/ headlights, etc.] as they transit the area.

Venturing slightly beyond the OPs original focus, but still on the topic of being proactively 'visible' to other vessels, we also chose to transmit our AIS 24/7 [when not in a marina.] This adds maybe another ~10AH/24 hrs [likely less...] Another no brainer for me.

In perulous anchoring conditions, we also run the RADAR with a guard zone while at anchor. [Another ~1.5amps of 12VDC; ~18AH overnight.] This gives us early warning of a lee shore or other vessels [or floating objects- like ice bergs in some areas...]

We can also turn on our deck lights [one on each mast] and a 2000 lumen stern 'back-up' light from our berth or the main cabin, and we do so at first hint of a vessel in close proximity. [e.g., AIS or RADAR alert in the dark.] This is a very effective addition to our other lighting; enough so that I am considering wiring the deck lights via a delay-off relay (say 5 minutes) to the external alarm circuits for both AIS and RADAR.

Good discussion. Be safe everyone.

Cheers! Bill

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by smj

If the mooring field is in a CG designated anchorage then you aren’t required to show an anchor light.

Can someone provide an exact quote from International ColRegs on this ?
or maybe this is just a US Inland rule ? if so I'd like to see that quote too.
I can't find it.

[smj]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Can someone provide an exact quote from International ColRegs on this ?

or maybe this is just a US Inland rule ? if so I'd like to see that quote too.

I can't find it.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-20...l1-part110.xml

[JPA Cate]

Wrwakefield mentioned the use of reflective tape.

One way to do this that some friends of ours have done, is to use a reflective stripe, on the topsides, just below the toerail, that runs the length of the vessel. It shows up quite well by flashlight, and obviously belongs to a boat. They have done similar with 3M reflective patches on their dinghy chaps. Easy to do, and makes like a little safer.

Ann

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by smj

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-20...l1-part110.xml

Thanks for that. Given the number of boats in Florida, it's surprising that there only seven such fields.

For our international members, this seems to be US thing only as I can find nothing like it in International rules.

[Jim Cate]

FWIW...

I'm kinda amused, kinda saddened by the posters whose main thrust is hoping to "get away" with not lighting their boats (if any) by claiming to be in designated anchorages (of whatever description or legality).

Whether required by law, custom or local regulation or not, lighting an anchored OR moored vessel is in the best interests of the owner. What sort of warped sense says that it is better to remain unlit? The costs are low, both in installation and in running, and from experience, I can tell you that being hit at anchor is quite the contrary.

It is true that the skilled and experienced sailor will be alert to the possibility of unlit vessels and take appropriate steps to reduce the chances of collision... but what about the all too prevalent less-than-skilled fellows who share our waters? Perhaps a good anchor light will keep him away from your gunnels!

Jim

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

FWIW...

I'm kinda amused, kinda saddened by the posters whose main thrust is hoping to "get away" with not lighting their boats (if any) by claiming to be in designated anchorages (of whatever description or legality).

Whether required by law, custom or local regulation or not, lighting an anchored OR moored vessel is in the best interests of the owner. What sort of warped sense says that it is better to remain unlit? The costs are low, both in installation and in running, and from experience, I can tell you that being hit at anchor is quite the contrary.

It is true that the skilled and experienced sailor will be alert to the possibility of unlit vessels and take appropriate steps to reduce the chances of collision... but what about the all too prevalent less-than-skilled fellows who share our waters? Perhaps a good anchor light will keep him away from your gunnels!

Jim

+1 ...........

[sailorboy1]

So I’m anchored near Jacksonville Fl and just aways from me is this Coast Guard cutter on one of those commercial mooring balls. Near as I can count with my blurry eyes, they have at least 4 white lights on.

Just thought it worth noteing to you “do the minimum” people.

[JPA Cate]

Can't blame them.

Think of the paper work they'd have to do if someone runs into them!

Ann