Two Anchor Lights

[noelex 77]

I would like to install a led anchor light near the stern of my yacht (instead of at the masthead). It is difficult to fit a light that has 360 degree visibility, but I can install 2 lights on some existing ss poles that would ensure at least 1 was always visible. From some angles however, both anchor lights could be seen. Are 2 anchor lights legal?

[John A]

The more lights the better. IMO. At least you'd be one of the few to turn your anchor light(s) on.

[pete33458]

From COLREGS rule 30:

(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.

(b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.
(c) A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100 meters and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.


This rule seems to be saying that one light is the minimum (for <50m), but more is better...Your proposed lighting scheme seems appropriate

[David M]

Its legal. Nowhere in the COLREG's does it say it is not.

[noelex 77]

Thanks for all the replies.It looks like 2 anchor lights are OK to meet the 360 degree requirement.

[Sailabel]

We've also been concerned about the visibility of our masthead anchor light when other boaters are close. We use our 'legal' anchor light (a masthead led), but supplement our visibility with a couple of solar powered led 'garden lights' purchased at the local home improvement store. One light on bowsprit, one at the stern. We also have one of the Davis cockpit lights suspended from the arch that can also be used as a low 'anchor' light if desired.

Steve

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Sailabel

We've also been concerned about the visibility of our masthead anchor light when other boaters are close. We use our 'legal' anchor light (a masthead led), but supplement our visibility with a couple of solar powered led 'garden lights' purchased at the local home improvement store. One light on bowsprit, one at the stern. We also have one of the Davis cockpit lights suspended from the arch that can also be used as a low 'anchor' light if desired.

Steve

Thanks for the reply. I share your concern about the usefulness of a masthead light, particularly against a background of shore lights. My aim is to install a "legal" anchor light(s) at a lower level, eliminating the need to turn on the masthead light.
Garden lights (in addition to a legal masthead light) are a popular solution , but I think a couple of "legal" LED lights, a bit above deck level would be more reliable and visable

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

a couple of "legal" LED lights, a bit above deck level would be more reliable and visable

Thats fine. They don't have to be on sticks. We have ours on our life line stanchions for ease of use, but they could just as well be on the hull to comply with the rules.

This masthead thing has blown out of proportion... it was never a requirement. Just an easy place to bung one light.

The bit about the 'forepart' was from when people used to put a lantern strung between the mast and the forestay over the foredeck. But it would have only been head high max so it could be tendered.


One must look at the purpose of the rule: To stop boats crashing into anchored boats. A masthead light that can be mistaken for a star or background light does not help.

[Solitude]

I bought a couple garden lights to use in the cockpit at night. I still use the anchor light on the mast but the garden lights help at close range for the speedng dinghys

[speciald@ocens.]

I frequently use a lower light behind the bimini when in the anchorage in Simpson Bay Lagoon. The mast head is too high to be seen by the (usually) drunken dinghy drivers late at night. The more lights the better. It also helps the (often impaired) captain find his own boat.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Solitude

I bought a couple garden lights to use in the cockpit at night. I still use the anchor light on the mast but the garden lights help at close range for the speedng dinghys

A couple years ago I picked up four solar-powered tiki tourches. I set them up in rocket launchers and pretend that they're anchor lights. Cool thing is that they turn themselves on when it gets dark.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by speciald@ocens.

It also helps the (often impaired) captain find his own boat.

We use solar powered Christmas Tree lights for that.

Every time I am drunk at night in the Dink I say to Nic: "Strewwwf! Its bloody Christmas time already!"

And she says: "Yes it is and we can get presents from under that tree".


So we get home.

[sailorboy1]

I saw a boat a while ago with LED lights runing up the mast. When I first saw it at night didn't know what it was, but looked like a 60 foot Christmas tree, and the next day I found it was a boat. Was very effective! Did have the "standard" anchor light also but would have noticed. Hard to believe you can go wrong with more light and as long as you meet the minimum you're covered.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Every time I am drunk at night in the Dink I say to Nic: "Strewwwf! Its bloody Christmas time already!"

...why my anchor lights have been attracting so many drunken Aussies.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Hard to believe you can go wrong with more light and as long as you meet the minimum you're covered.

The only time I don't like too much light is when a power boat shines lights into the water overnight. I feel it attracts the small fish to the light and the bigger fish eat them... so we are denuding our valuable resource.

Mark