Anchor light on Mizzen mast?

[Formosa Scott]

The steaming or masthead light will be on the main 2/3 of the way up where it was originally only now with a wire running outside the mast. The way I read the rules the anchor light is fine on the mizzen.


Hi Four winds (Greg?)

[Dougtiff]

To start with, anchor light should be in the fore triangle, not on top of a mast, why ?, looking up at mast heads, your vision is not in line [lower] to the anchored vessel's, this whole thing i believe started because people are to lazy to go forward to hang a light.

[bvisailing32]

Anchor Light : For your vessel , less than 50 metes in length....one all around 360 degree white light with a 2 mile visibility range. Mizzen mounted anchor light would be just fine. In fact I have seen a lantern hung as an anchor light. Save on the electrical power and battery use. ( they do need a two mile vis range )
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The steaming light: is a 225 degree white light, and should be on the mast , 112.5 degrees on each side of a longitudinal center line of the boat. Of course facing forward to so it can be seen. It does not have to be at the top of the main mast.

We use the steaming light if the engine is operating, even if we have a sail up. engine on, underway, steaming light is on. Usually the main remains up for a steadying sail , or in case of engine failure in areas of limited maneuvering like entering a harbor or narrow channel or bay at night.

We are believers in being able to sail your boat, out of and into a slip, or an end tie, or onto a mooring or anchor under sail. Motoring in a channel with rock sea walls, with wind should you have engine failure, you usually can sail clear of lee shore , sea walls, and docks. Very quickly, Roll out the the jib, and sail the boat to your slip.

If no wind, have the anchor ready to run out. That should always be a ready option.
After anchoring, Then steaming light off, nav lights off and anchor light on.

It is against the regs to show lights that are confusing or misleading. But, all of us here have seen sailing vessels at night, that display their anchor light, steaming light, spreader lights, and nav lights, cabin lights.

So what does that sailing vessel's signal lights tell us. He is anchored, underway, making way while under power. If he is anchored, or on a mooring, that vessel is letting us all know the party is going strong, bring your rum and some ice.

Main thing is follow the colregs and procedures, which you are doing, and you alert other vessels as to your condition, and keep you and other boaters safe .

[four winds]

Originally Posted by Formosa Scott

The steaming or masthead light will be on the main 2/3 of the way up where it was originally only now with a wire running outside the mast. The way I read the rules the anchor light is fine on the mizzen.


Hi Four winds (Greg?)

Yep, it's Greg. Knew you would remember my boat name, as many times as I swung the stern past your boat while turning around in the marina. lol.

Headed back to Bama now. Slowly it seems. But might be up there sooner or later.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by CarlF

On a sailboat, the masthead steaming light is normally 2/3's of the way up the mast not at the top of the mast (forward mast if more than one) And a tricolor should not be used if the engine is on.
.

I understand Tri color and deck mounted running lights is a no no, but thought if you were where a tri color use is prudent, that you ran it, engine or not?

[John_Trusty]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I understand Tri color and deck mounted running lights is a no no, but thought if you were where a tri color use is prudent, that you ran it, engine or not?

This is not specifically addressed in the ColRegs, but is not permitted by the definitions of sidelight and masthead light.

The problem is the appearance from various points of view, without any other references. From astern, it would be correct (white only), but from ahead it would be red-over-white (fishing at night) or green-over-white (trawling at night), without accompanying sidelights, which is confusing. The definitions of a 'masthead' light require that the masthead light be above the sidelights (height requirement varies by LOA): https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageNam...Annexes#Annex1
Inland & International differ slightly, but the general concept is:
(d) The masthead light, or the all-round light described in Rule 23(d), of a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall be carried at least 1 meter higher than the sidelights.

[blueskye33]

The reg's state "all-around" white light, and it means just that - not restricted by anything, even momentarily (like your mainmast while swinging at anchor). As a friend discovered, after he was struck at night by another boat, and went to trial. He was using the Forespar "anchor" light hanging in the foretriangle, at night in Bull Creek off the ICW. He said the look on his attorney's face was priceless, when he was asked if it was possible that his anchor light was obscured at any point of visibility, and he had to say "Yeah." So I guess you'll be OK, as long as you don't get hit.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I understand Tri color and deck mounted running lights is a no no, but thought if you were where a tri color use is prudent, that you ran it, engine or not?

Tri-color should only be on under sail. If under power it cannot be used because there is not a masthead (steaming) light above the tri-color - making it illegal as far as Colregs is concerned.

[Dave22q]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

Tri-color should only be on under sail. If under power it cannot be used because there is not a masthead (steaming) light above the tri-color - making it illegal as far as Colregs is concerned.

I suspect you mean masthead tricolor fixtures. They are fine under sail but unacceptable under power as you note. So if you need hull mounted navigation lights so you can motor at night a masthead tricolor fixture makes no sense.

[Dave22q]

on.

It is against the regs to show lights that are confusing or misleading. But, all of us here have seen sailing vessels at night, that display their anchor light, steaming light, spreader lights, and nav lights, cabin lights.

So what does that sailing vessel's signal lights tell us. He is anchored, underway, making way while under power. If he is anchored, or on a mooring, that vessel is letting us all know the party is going strong, bring your rum and some ice.

Main thing is follow the colregs and procedures, which you are doing, and you alert other vessels as to your condition, and keep you and other boaters safe .[/QUOTE]
A good case can be made that there is no such thing as too many lights. The oncoming vessel may be confused but if he knows you are there, simply watching the angle will let him easily avoid collision.

[blueazimuth]

As Four Winds points out - the Col Regs state "... where it can best be seen"
The top of your mizzen sounds just fine, and it's not too high.
I'll add that, because my anchor light is masthead, I added an all round light on a 2' mast, mounted on the radar arch. People speeding through an anchorage rarely look up, so it's essential to have a much lower light.
S

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Dave22q

on.

It is against the regs to show lights that are confusing or misleading. But, all of us here have seen sailing vessels at night, that display their anchor light, steaming light, spreader lights, and nav lights, cabin lights.

I don't think that is enforced.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

I don't think that is enforced.

'Rule 30
Anchored vessels and vessels aground.......

(b) A vessel of less than 50 metres 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 metres and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.'

A little knowledge vcan indeed be a dangerous thing

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

'Rule 30
Anchored vessels and vessels aground.......

(b) A vessel of less than 50 metres 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 metres and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.'

A little knowledge vcan indeed be a dangerous thing

The 2 pics in the post above show vessels neither anchored or aground. Of course, there is little chance they wouldn't be seen.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

The 2 pics in the post above show vessels neither anchored or aground. Of course, there is little chance they wouldn't be seen.

'pologies..... should have linked to an earlier post.....

Yes, cruise ships are a law unto themselves.