Day Shapes while Anchoring

[Sailer_Med]

I heard about some enforcement in the Costa del Sol region of Spain with regards to flying the motoring day shape.

In the Costa Brava region, I've only seen one yacht with the anchor ball up and it was a boat that lives on anchor in a cove.

[steve77]

Originally Posted by caradow

Many years ago I had heard about a drunk powerboater ( you know sailors don't drink) ran into an anchored sailboat who was not flying a day shape and he got off. I have asked several people about this and they all stated the sailboat captain probably had a lousy lawyer.
This was in the BVI's I think.

We were in Salinas, Puerto Rico about 25 years ago, and were told this accident happened there. The drunk powerboater was indeed drunk and a local dentist. I was told this story when I asked why so many boats in the anchorage were showing anchor balls. At that time in my life, I did not show one, and I was curious. I was told that the owner of the boat that was struck was not showing an anchor ball, and received no compensation for the collision.

Not sure this is the same story but the details match.

Cheers!

Steve

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by chrisr

around here i'd guess no more than 1 boat in 30 display the day signal for anchoring

we don't bother - mainly as imho any fool who cannot work out that we are anchored isn't going to be looking for a black ball (or indeed know what it means)

as for insurance : if necessary i'd have no qualms to say we had the shape up...who's going to prove we didn't ?

cheers,

Witnesses with cell phones ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxg30c6z00E

[Franziska]

We always fly a black ball when at anchor. If someone is stupid enough to run into you when you have it up it's clearly their fault.
Good chance you get reimbursed for the damages if they are not running away..

Btw. here on the Portuguese Atlantic coast almost everyone is using them...

[Mike OReilly]

Nope. Never have. No one I know has one. Can't recall ever seeing one hoisted. Same goes for the motoring dayshape.

There are lots of rules that make no sense. Other than covering your insurance hiney, which I agree is likely valid, I see no functional benefit.

If there were a clear benefit to these dayshapes, then it should be apparent in the European vs North American stats. As far as I can find, you are no more likely to be hit at anchor in Europe, where dayshapes appear to be more common, compared to Canada/USA, where they are mostly absent.

But if someone can show the data to prove otherwise, I'll become a convert.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Nope. Never have. No one I know has one. Can't recall ever seeing one hoisted. Same goes for the motoring dayshape.

There are lots of rules that make no sense. Other than covering your insurance hiney, which I agree is likely valid, I see no functional benefit.

If there were a clear benefit to these dayshapes, then it should be apparent in the European vs North American stats. As far as I can find, you are no more likely to be hit at anchor in Europe, where dayshapes appear to be more common, compared to Canada/USA, where they are mostly absent.

But if someone can show the data to prove otherwise, I'll become a convert.

Don't think the judge would buy that excuse.

[sck5]

There are far better things to spend your money and time on than anchor balls. Like anchoring properly in the first place.

[Shrew]

The only vessels I ever see flying an 'At Anchor' day-shape markers in the Northeast of the US, are large charter yachts.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by sck5

There are far better things to spend your money and time on than anchor balls. Like anchoring properly in the first place.

With my foot on the anchor down switch I pull the line that raises my $10 plastic anchor ball. Almost zero effort and I'm now legally protected from the idiots we've all seen. I consider that a worthwhile investment.

[HTurner]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Witnesses with cell phones ...

Thanks for the bikini click bate... I clicked.

[danstanford]

Originally Posted by HTurner

Thanks for the bikini click bate... I clicked.

....for the fifth time over the years! Quite the spectacle for sure.

[Chotu]

Let the wars begin!!! Ha ha ha.

Note, there will be some different opinions on different sides of the “pond.”

The latest American revolution to be fought over day shapes for anchoring. I’m a proud American who has never had a day shape displayed at anchor in my 35 years of boating. Ha ha ha.

[ItDepends]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Nope. Never have. No one I know has one. Can't recall ever seeing one hoisted. Same goes for the motoring dayshape.

There are lots of rules that make no sense. Other than covering your insurance hiney, which I agree is likely valid, I see no functional benefit.

If there were a clear benefit to these dayshapes, then it should be apparent in the European vs North American stats. As far as I can find, you are no more likely to be hit at anchor in Europe, where dayshapes appear to be more common, compared to Canada/USA, where they are mostly absent.

But if someone can show the data to prove otherwise, I'll become a convert.

You are implying (but do not reference) that you have data on the relative risk of at anchor collisions between North America and Europe. Do you? Or are you just making that up?

Here is a hint: Not being able to find such data does NOT prove your point...

[wingssail]

I can't recall seeing any smaller cruising yachts in any of the 35 countries I visited displaying ANY signal shape. Of course the professionally manned bigger yachts and commercial vessels do. But I think there is a definite place and need for this one (the black ball).

We do not use one, and no longer even have one, but after seeing so many CF members advocate it. I think I may get one. Mostly for legal protection, because the nincompoops who might run into me are not likely to dissuaded by a black ball in the rigging but it might be useful to demonstrate that I was following the rules.

Normally we're anchored in a recognized anchorage (not necessarily an official one) among other boats. But if the occasion arose when we had to anchor in or near a navigable waterway, where nobody is expected to anchor, it would be wise to put up the black ball. It is likely that a passing commercial vessel would recognize the shape and its meaning and be more likely to avoid us.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by wingssail

We do not use one, and no longer even have one, but after seeing so many CF members advocate it. I think I may get one. Mostly for legal protection, because the nincompoops who might run into me are not likely to dissuaded by a black ball in the rigging but it might be useful to demonstrate that I was following the rules.

That's pretty much my reasoning for it. Mostly a matter of CYA. Plus, I figure at least near home, it keeps us even less likely to be bothered by the USCG or local sheriffs for no good reason (they're usually busy enough with partying express cruisers that bigger powerboats with only a couple people aboard or sailboats tend to get ignored anyway).