Steaming lights

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

'Masthead - Upper part of the mast above the rigging. ' Admiral W. H. Smyth, 'The Sailor's Word Book'..

In the 18th century..

[MicHughV]

I've sailed thru' most of the B'mas chain of islands, and correct vhf protocol is pretty much mostly ignored by the local inhabitants everywhere I've been..a habit that gets picked up by the majority of the cruising fraternity, though now with cell phone coverage, not as prevalent as before...back in the day, a vhf radio could be found in most stores, restaurants, homes, etc. ie, land based, where it was used as a telephone.

Attempts by others to rectify this situation has not gained much traction that I've seen.
Not picking sides, but just saying what I hear on the vhf over there.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by boatman61

In the 18th century..

So if I ask you to go to the masthead and inspect the rigging you will just wander off and stand in front of the mast? OK.

If you refer to Rule 21 you will see that the masthead light doesn't even need to be on the mast. You can sit it on top of an inverted flowerpot if you so choose.

'21. Definitions

“Masthead light” means a white light on the centreline of the vessel showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.'

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

'Masthead - Upper part of the mast above the rigging. ' Admiral W. H. Smyth, 'The Sailor's Word Book'.

So - riddle me this, What 'masthead' is this ship's after 'masthead' light mounted on?Her frd light is mounted on top of a samson post so I guess that is a 'samson post head light'.

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

So if I ask you to go to the masthead and inspect the rigging you will just wander off and stand in front of the mast? OK.

If you refer to Rule 21 you will see that the masthead light doesn't even need to be on the mast. You can sit it on top of an inverted flowerpot if you so choose.

'21. Definitions

“Masthead light” means a white light on the centreline of the vessel showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.'

So I don't have to check the rigging just above the mast headlight only the four at the top mast.. Okay..

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by boatman61

So I don't have to check the rigging just above the mast headlight masthead light only the four at the top mast.. Okay..

Yes, I would be expecting you to scamper up the rigging like you used to do on Ganges.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Yes, I would be expecting you to scamper up the rigging like you used to do on Ganges.

[capt jgw]

Come to think about it, the term "steaming light" may be a better, more describe name once you accept that the Rules date back to steamship days. "Masthead" in itself doesn't say anything about the boat being power driven, which is what the light is supposed to indicate. And as pointed out, the light doesn't have to be on a mast. But COLREGS and the US Inland Rules both say "masthead" so that's what we're stuck with.