Stern Floodlight

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Teknav

A strobe light can also be attached to your mast, with regulated flashing; a tungsten white flash every minute or so. It is easy to spot your boat from a long distance. When placed high enough, it will not blind anyone or be visual for those down below.

There is a lot of division over the use of flashing lights at anchor. They are prohibited by the collision regulations although there has been some call to change this.

Those that use them point out that a flashing light is good at attracting attention, is less likely to be confused with a shore light and it uses less power.
Those against point out that a flashing light could be confused with a signal from a lighthouse and that a flashing light should be kept for a distress signal (although only sailors from a few countries seem to consider it so)

Personally I don't use a flashing light, mainly because it against the regulations, but there is less need now that very bright, low power consumption LEDs that can illuminate some of the superstructure are available.

Flashing light are very popular in Europe. Most busy anchorages have a couple of boats using them. I have no great objection as long as the boat is easy to see if I come into the anchorage at night, but some people object strongly, so I hope you have your flak jacket on Mauritz.

[S/V Alchemy]

Since I last posted, we witnessed last night on a night sail a collision between a C&C 41 and a local marina tender made of steel. I don't know the details, but we were close enough to see it was a "T-bone" type collision...and that the sailboat had a strobe on its mast-top!

That's going to mean a fine, irrespective of who hit who.

[Barra]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

There is a lot of division over the use of flashing lights at anchor. They are prohibited by the collision regulations although there has been some call to change this.

Flashing light are very popular in Europe. Most busy anchorages have a couple of boats using them. I have no great objection as long as the boat is easy to see if I come into the anchorage at night, but some people object strongly, so I hope you have your flak jacket on Mauritz.

In an anchorage in greece right now. 2 flashing anchor lights out if 8 boats. One is red flash 3 secs. Glad Not trying to get in here in dark or i might think i was looking at the channel mark

Thin end if the wedge.

[noelex 77]

The fishermen in Greece often use flashing led markers. They re available in the hardware shops for a few euros. Some of the better ones are quite bright with 6+ LEDs typically red ( these are brighter than white LEDs) and with a daylight sensor so they turn off at night.
Many boats figure they are much brighter than garden lights and the battery lasts a long time.

I don't agree with there use them as anchor lights, but they are at least much safer than the typical garden light.

I often use a couple on lines when I am stern tied to shore.

[Dockhead]

Put me down with those who think the OP's light at the stern is a good idea. Don't think it will hinder others, and don't think it will be attractive to thieves, who prefer to sneak around in darkness, after all. Will be pleasant for landing and make landing a lot safer. I say go for it.

I leave an LED cabin light on for this purpose; sometimes an LED deck light.