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donradcliffe · 15-12-2009, 00:51

Hire me first--I got 39, and I think I would take issue with some of the ones which they say I missed, like the powerboat crossing one.

**Ex-Calif** · 15-12-2009, 01:02

Well - after our sail Sunday night we were headed back around 8PM (dark) motor sailing.

I asked the tillerman (who was "hugging" the center of the channel) what he would do if it really was pitch black and while relying only on lights saw the red-white-red-white on center, green on his left, red on his right and I was below getting a beer. The poor fellow who has passed his licensing was completely clueless.

I asked what red-white-red-white might be and got a blank stare. I said, "Forget about the r-w-r-w. What about the green and red - blank stare. I gave him a little hint and he said turn left.

He's been demoted to cabin steward (and I don't leave the cockpit) until he brings the answer next week.

jackdale · 15-12-2009, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Well - after our sail Sunday night we were headed back around 8PM (dark) motor sailing.

I asked the tillerman (who was "hugging" the center of the channel) what he would do if it really was pitch black and while relying only on lights saw the red-white-red-white on center, green on his left, red on his right and I was below getting a beer. The poor fellow who has passed his licensing was completely clueless.

I asked what red-white-red-white might be and got a blank stare. I said, "Forget about the r-w-r-w. What about the green and red - blank stare. I gave him a little hint and he said turn left.

He's been demoted to cabin steward (and I don't leave the cockpit) until he brings the answer next week.

I am not trying to be picky, but ...

The fairway / mid channel buoy would display a Morse A or a long white.

BTW - you might want reinforce that Singapore uses IALA system A.

paradix · 15-12-2009, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

I am not trying to be picky, but ...

The fairway / mid channel buoy would display a Morse A or a long white.

BTW - you might want reinforce that Singapore uses IALA system A.

That's because the lights described are not a buoy - they're a vessel with a restricted ability to manoeuver. And judging by the position of its port and stbd lights, it's heading right at you. I guess you wouldn't make it onto ex-calif's helm either!

jackdale · 15-12-2009, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradix

That's because the lights described are not a buoy - they're a vessel with a restricted ability to manoeuver. And judging by the position of its port and stbd lights, it's heading right at you. I guess you wouldn't make it onto ex-calif's helm either!

My mind inferred flashing lights. Duh

I was also confused by the red-white-red-white. From top to bottom it would be white red white red, if under 50m; white white red white red if over 50m

paradix · 15-12-2009, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

My mind inferred flashing lights. Duh

That actually makes sense (inferring flashing lights), reading the post again... I had the benefit of having seen the actual picture in the online test so I already knew what he was referring to.

And you're absolutely right: red-white-red-white is reading from the bottom up.

**nigel1** · 15-12-2009, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

My mind inferred flashing lights. Duh

I was also confused by the red-white-red-white. From top to bottom it would be white red white red, if under 50m; white white red white red if over 50m

To be really picky, it should be described as three All Round Lights, the upper and lower being red, and the centre being white, and in addition, when making way through the water, sidelights, stern light and masthead light/s.

I don’t think there is any requirement regarding the vertical disposition of these 3 all round lights in relation to the masthead lights.

On my AHT, they are placed 1.5m off the centerline, and when viewed from forward are vertically between the fwd and aft masthead lights

zydecotoad · 15-12-2009, 14:02

A question for those who might know. Is there any significance to the lights white-red-white ? I have seen it flown from flag poles along the shore.

**David M** · 15-12-2009, 16:32

Red White Red in a vertical line on a vessel means restricted in ability to maneuver.

The night signal on land for a hurricane warning is a vertical Red White Red.

You got me. Could White Red White be a Christmas decoration?

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/cwd.htm
Coastal Warning Display Program

barnakiel · 15-12-2009, 18:01

Good men, do you really waste your lives learning all this stuff? So when do you sail?

To me any ship in open waters shows only one set of lights and shapes, they say - KEEP OFF. Very easy to memorize and apply (unless your cruising area is the English Channel) ;-))

b.

**Ex-Calif** · 15-12-2009, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackdale

I am not trying to be picky, but ...

The fairway / mid channel buoy would display a Morse A or a long white.

BTW - you might want reinforce that Singapore uses IALA system A.

I am pretty sure it is a ship carrying these lights - viewed from starboard...

The real key for me is the port-starboard lights that are 150 meters apart. I always get out of the way of that stuff...

The forward white is the tricky part of the illusion.

zydecotoad · 15-12-2009, 20:18

The white-red-white I have seen on yacht club flagpoles, after the flag comes down at subset. I assume that it has ( or used to have ) some nautical meaning.

I agree with barnakeil, the difference between red-red-red or red-white-red or white-white-white is academic to my small sailboat. Because I am gonna stay clear of all of them. I do try to remember the towing lights, so I can avoid the tug AND the tow.

paradix · 15-12-2009, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Good men, do you really waste your lives learning all this stuff? So when do you sail?

To me any ship in open waters shows only one set of lights and shapes, they say - KEEP OFF. Very easy to memorize and apply (unless your cruising area is the English Channel) ;-))

b.

If you're the master of a commercial vessel you don't waste your life learning that stuff, you SAVE your life learning it.