A Plea For Decent Anchor Lights.

[goboatingnow]

SOLAS is a different set of rules, being enforced on most vessels but not private pleasure craft, which can comply on voluntary basis. I don't think the SOLAS regulations are available for free; I used to have them aboard and look things up for threads on CF, but it was part of the school books that I all dissed a year ago. They also have a lot of trouble to keep up with new technology.

Nick You are getting a bit confused here.

For Example SOLAS V applies to all vessels including yachts and not on a voluntary basis.

Strobes in international waters carried on a vessel, are NOT regarded as distress beacons, There use is to "be avoided" , but it is NOT prohibited, ie they cannot be used to signal distress , but can be used for other purposes, particulary where no other effective mechanism is available.

Lifejackets are controlled by ISO/EN ( the MED directive in Europe), Under those directives a "light" is required, modern jackets use a flashing light, which cannot be regarded as a 'strobe' light.

The same is true for EPIRBS, the light on top is a flashing light , not a strobe. ( my SOLAS jotron unit actually just uses a little incandescent bulb.

EPIRB specification ( note not regulations) are set by COSPAS-SARSAT and homologated by various National or supra-national agencies like ETSI in the EU.

Strobes on EPIRBs are NOT part of COSPAS-SARSAT specifications, but are added at a manufacturers discretion.


So to summarise, a flashing white light, is NOT an internationally recognised distress signal, although the use of such light pattern is commonly used in beacons, lifejackets, etc. COLREGS affirms that 'strobe lights' conventionally understood as a high powered light, rather then just a simple occulting light are to be avoided, the conventional reason been given is due to the high power of such lights.

Its important to realise that many of these agreements are just that , and have to be translated into national law to have local legal effect. Some large nations do this, some nations merely accept the regulatory controls of larger groupings.

DAve