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Old 20-04-2011, 09:37   #91
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

I also agree with the more lights the better. I have come into an achorage at night where there were no lights of any kind and if it hadn't been for my radar I would have run into an anchored vessel. I appreciate lights in dark anchorages.
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Old 21-04-2011, 05:19   #92
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

Quote:
Originally Posted by noelex 77 View Post
My stern light is wired on a separate circuit so it can be turned on independently of the port and starboard lights. The stern lights provides illumination for the boarding platform so it used for safety when guests are arriving or departing..
It draws 2A so has always been used sparingly, but I am about to replace it with a LED which could be left on much longer, without any power concerns.

Can I use a stern light at anchor as long as I also show an all-round white anchor light?

If I installed a separate light to illuminate the boarding platform ( which is allowed, even encouraged by the navigation rules) it would have a similar arc of visibility but I have never seen another boat use a stern light like this.

Thoughts anyone?
I have a stern light at deck level and a small vertical white light about 150 degrees attached to the the solar gantry this is independently wired for use in the cockpit in the evenings eating playing cards etc the light attached to the gantry can also be swivelled towards the stern on occasion when necessary it then shows the bathing platform and is two white lights one above the other. It works for me "Then who is perfect".
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Old 21-04-2011, 05:55   #93
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

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Originally Posted by doug86 View Post
A light of a color not specified in the rules is fine, like an amber light, or a blue light.
This is a U.S. law....
§ 707.9 Convoy operations stern light.

Naval vessels may display, during periods of convoy operations, a blue light located near the stern with the same characteristics as, but in lieu of, the normal white stern light.



You would hate to have someone mistake you for a battleship in a convoy
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Old 21-04-2011, 06:15   #94
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

I prefer my anchor lights to be just above decks, in swinging Aqua Signal housings designed for this. (With quick connect waterproof plugs)... One forward and one aft. This way they are not confused with being a star, as the mast head one can easily be.

This is legal, there is no "blind spot" from the rig, and the lights are quite obvious.

In a more risky anchorage, I might use my masthead anchor light as well, just to be on the safe side. Drunks in dinghies seems the biggest risk!

Since all three lights are photocell cluster LED bulbs, the power draw is negligible, and if I'm on shore later than I expected, no worries... They turn themselves on & off!

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Old 21-04-2011, 06:28   #95
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesFCook View Post
This is a U.S. law....
§ 707.9 Convoy operations stern light.

Naval vessels may display, during periods of convoy operations, a blue light located near the stern with the same characteristics as, but in lieu of, the normal white stern light.



You would hate to have someone mistake you for a battleship in a convoy
Not all sailors sail in the USA its a big world If they thought I was a battle ship they would steer well clear LOL
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Old 21-04-2011, 06:45   #96
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesFCook View Post
This is a U.S. law....
§ 707.9 Convoy operations stern light.

Naval vessels may display, during periods of convoy operations, a blue light located near the stern with the same characteristics as, but in lieu of, the normal white stern light.



You would hate to have someone mistake you for a battleship in a convoy
yes, but they wouldn't also be displaying an anchor light.

Also, is that code part of the published Rules ?
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Old 21-04-2011, 07:45   #97
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

I don't mean to turn this into a rule bla, bla, bla...

Quote:
Originally Posted by doug86 View Post
Also, is that code part of the published Rules ?
Just to answer the question.

If you look at Rule 1(c) International and Inland the last sentence has a foot note 1. The footnote talks about this using a submarine as an example. But this is a U.S.C.G. book and not everyone here is from or in the U.S.
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Old 21-04-2011, 08:20   #98
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

A little levity

I once crewed on a boat that had a rheostat wired into the stern light circuit.

We would adjust the brightness to play head games with the following boats.
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Old 21-04-2011, 09:01   #99
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

Anyone ever see a cruise ship at night??? Lights all over the place, but none blocking their Nav lights. Put all the lights up you want, these are working deck lights, as long as they can't be mistaken for proper Nav lights. The anchor light is mandatory.
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Old 21-04-2011, 11:36   #100
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

Ooooo! I get to make Post No. 100!



For the life of me, I can't understand how this topic generated 100 posts!!!
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Old 21-04-2011, 11:48   #101
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

Makes a change from anchors LOL
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Old 21-04-2011, 12:38   #102
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

We now have a contender for the guns, anchor and mono vs multi threads. lol
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Old 21-04-2011, 14:02   #103
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

I asked for opinions and got them.
I do appreciate the answers. Even if you fell a stern light is not idea.

From a practical point of view, as others have expressed, I believe more white lights on an anchored boat are a help rather than a hindrance.
If you are approaching an anchorage and see a while light it already has a few possible meanings. As well as boat at anchor, it could be a stern light, an all-round white light of small boat maneuvering deck light cabin light street light etc.
More white lights shown by a boat at anchor ,particularly those that illuminate the deck help rather than hinder, clarify rather than confuse a boat approaching the anchorage. At least you can see the boat which is the most important thing entering an anchorage.

From a legal point of view the only way to tell a white stern light from a anchor light mounted low down (which is legal) is to note that when you get 67.5 degrees from the centerline the white light disappears and the port or starboard navigation lights become visible. The port and starboard lights would not be illuminated, so this confusion does not exist.
There is no way I can see to distinguish a stern light from a deck light .

As an aside I note some approved navigation lights are both a stern light and an anchor light. At anchor, the stern light is left on, but is joined by 225 degree white light. Not quite the same situation as I am proposing, but it could be argued that these approved lights do display a stern light on at anchor, supplemented with additional lights.

OK I am sure my summary will generate some more discussion.
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Old 21-04-2011, 14:40   #104
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

G'DAy Nolex,

Sounds to me like you have done a good job of distilling the good stuff out of all the dissenting posts. I don't know about all the others, but I won't worry about not being able to see your boat when I enter some distant anchorage in the dark!

Well done, mate...

Cheers,

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Old 21-04-2011, 14:55   #105
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Re: Stern Light at Anchor

Quote:
Originally Posted by noelex 77 View Post
From a practical point of view, as others have expressed, I believe more white lights on an anchored boat are a help rather than a hindrance.
Why not rephrase it to say: boats well lit are a help rather than a hindrance? There is a significant difference...

Quote:
More white lights shown by a boat at anchor ,particularly those that illuminate the deck help rather than hinder, clarify rather than confuse a boat approaching the anchorage. At least you can see the boat which is the most important thing entering an anchorage.
No. There is a clear distinction between 'lights shown' - they are meant to be aimed away from the boat (usually horizontally) and mean something as a configuration or single, and 'boat outlined' with its own deck lights - pointed at the boat itself. Those lights are not 'shown' and should not be. The lit boat is shown.

Quote:
OK I am sure my summary will generate some more discussion.
Since you asked...
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