Red All-Round Lights at anchor

[noelex 77]

It seems every yacht over 30m these days seems to have a red light on top of the mast. They don't display an all round white light although to be fair they have enough deck lights that they are readily visible.

The yacht behind me is displaying red. The one next to me is displaying red over white.

These are all professionally crewed yachts.

As I understand it the red is supposed to a warning to low flying aircraft, but the nearest airport is 30nm away and these masts are not tall.

[rebel heart]

Maybe red over white, he had a pilot onboard? j/k

Must be a European thing, I haven't seen any of that on the US west or east coast.

[Astrid]

Could be a warning for seaplanes or floatplanes.

[Vasco]

What about floatplanes and seaplanes?

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Maybe red over white, he had a pilot onboard? j/k

Red over white is fishing at night
White over red is pilot ahead.

But none of these should apply. It seems all around red is the defacto standard for super yachts (or pseudo-superyachts) anchoring. The boat on my starboard side thinks an all round white light below it is good idea.

[MarkJ]

Red at the top is onlly for masts 150 feet or higher.

Red over white is fishing at night.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Red at the top is onlly for masts 150 feet or higher.

Thanks Mark
They would probably qualify on this score (at least the one on my starboard side).
Can they display this red light instead of all round white light ? Are they still supposed to display white as well? If so where ?

[monte]

I think its a euro/like to be different thing, like neon blue signage and go fast lights. I saw a flashing masthead light yesterday. I guess they don't know/care about lights or dayshapes and like to be original

[atoll]

it is a penis extention light........most of the megayachts keep their red mast head lights on in the marina..........smokem if ya gottem

[barnakiel]

It is not any Euro thing. It is a new rich thing.

b.

[nigel1]

Definitely think its an aircraft warning light, this is a snippet from some FAA requirements

Any temporary or permanent structure, including all
appurtenances, that exceeds an overall height of 200
feet (61m) above ground level (AGL) or exceeds any
obstruction standard contained in 14 CFR part 77,
should normally be marked and/or lighted. However,
an FAA aeronautical study may reveal that the
absence of marking and/or lighting will not impair
aviation safety. Conversely, the object may present
such an extraordinary hazard potential that higher
standards may be recommended for increased
conspicuity to ensure safety to air navigation.
Normally outside commercial lighting is not
considered sufficient reason to omit recommended
marking and/or lighting. Recommendations on
marking and/or lighting structures can vary
depending on terrain features, weather patterns,
geographic location, and in the case of wind turbines,
number of structures and overall layout of design.
The FAA may also recommend marking and/or
lighting a structure that does not exceed 200 (61m)
feet AGL or 14 CFR part 77 standards because of its
particular location

When you think about it, superyachts and helicopters go together nowadays.

Personally, I think its all about shouting out "hey, look, mines bigger than yours"

Oh, and white over red, that's the lights for a pilot vessel, not a vessel under pilotage.
Red over white, frying tonight
White over red, pilot ahead

[atoll]

are not vessels carrying dangerous cargo also required to carry a red all round light,ie oil tankers and munitions ships?

[Jim Cate]

While it may be a nouveau riche thing to have a yacht with a >150 foot mast, once you have the damn thing the red masthead light is mandated, and yes, it should be left on in a marina. Has nothing to do with warning off ships, rather aircraft which could just as well strike the mast in a marina as at sea.

Same sort of rules for tall ham antennas, buildings and so forth AFAIK.

Cheers,

Jim

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by atoll

are not vessels carrying dangerous cargo also required to carry a red all round light,ie oil tankers and munitions ships?

Yep, you are right Alex, by day the flag bravo, and by night, an all round red light. Not part of the colregs, but usually port or national regulations.
In Japan, it is required to be a flashing red light.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Can they display this red light instead of all round white light ? ?

Yes, as far as I am aware. I havent seen any designated all round white lights under a Red.

Only thing is the red light must be at mast top. All round white does not need to be up the mast at all.

As you noted, most boats have plenty lights on if over 150 ft mast height.

In St Martin there are often 20 or 30 yachts showing red. One of my mates has a Red on his 50 ft cat as a joke.