Anchor Balls

[wyb2]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

NO, it is not "just an interpretation"!

§ 83.30 Vessels anchored, aground and moored barges (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;

This is pretty damn plain language and not subject to your interpretation.

Jim

Changed the bold to highlight my confusion. I agree, "or" is pretty plain language, one or the other, not both. No reference to time of day is made in rule 30.

But thanks to being pointed to rule 20, I now understand, it has the 'other words' that I couldn't find. I was trying to reconcile the rule that everyone seems to understand with the words I was reading, specifically "or".


Rule 20 for anyone who, like me, doesn't already know it by heart.

(a) Rules in this Part shall be complied with in all weathers.
(b) The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to
sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except
such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in these Rules or
do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the
keeping of a proper look-out.
(c) The lights prescribed by these Rules shall, if carried, also be exhibited
from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility and may be exhibited in all other
circumstances when it is deemed necessary.
(d) The Rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day.
(e) The lights and shapes specified in these Rules shall comply with the
provisions of Annex I to these Regulations.

[wyb2]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

Well, "it says so" in fact is accurate.


You need to know the whole COLREGS because in MOST cases more than one Rule is applicable to any given question. In this case, Rule 20 as well as Rule 30.

If someone asks "what makes a car go", saying "cars go" is making an accurate statement. It's just not addressing the question.

Agree, knowing all the rules is the best system. That's kind of true for everything everywhere.

I guess I pushed back a little too quick. After all someone did actually answer my question within a few hours. I guess it was kind of silly of me to push at all in a COLREGs thread. I've seen this movie before, I should know better.

[Liberty Tambien]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

I haven't sailed in U.S. waters in more than a decade, and am just starting my first cruise here in that much time.

I remember when we were discussing anchor balls on here some time ago and several U.S. sailors were swearing up and down that NO ONE EVER uses anchor balls on this side of the Atlantic, in contrast to our side of the pond, where we use them pretty religiously.

Well what do you know -- I'm standing at anchor right now in Annapolis Bay with only one other boat in sight and it's -- showing good seamanship, that is, showing an anchor ball. As we are.

It's a beautiful evening, by the way -- who would have thought in the middle of December at this latitude you could sit in the cockpit.


Attachment 284442

as an american I use one At all times when anchored, but.. i have NEVER ever ever seen a single other boat fly one. I probably wouldn't have known what an anchor ball was if i didn't see it laying around in some cubby on the bot when i bought it.

[MicHughV]

Yes, yer honor, I'm guilty as charged. In 35 odd years odd afloat, no anchor ball

[Wotname]

You’re assuming that the majority of American boaters even know what Colregs are or care...

This maybe is why the USA is such a litigious society. Nothing easier than than using the law to get redress when the other guy is ignorant of the law or even worse, the other guy is assumes the law don't apply to him.

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

......
I know, I could barely talk us out of a ticket once. They let me off the hook because I could produce the ball and immediately deploy it.

Let's see if I understand this correctly. You were on the hook, the ticket writer let you off the hook and you remained on the hook. Good outcome

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Panope

Now I'm feeling guilty.

Guess I had better get one.

What are the rules about the diameter of the ball?

That's a good question, I just bought a new one after we lost ours during a rather windy summer night. I know were it is, but its diving depths so not worth the effort. Mine straight from the local chandlers is about 2ft across which fits in with WS's size given earlier.

Whist we use the anchor ball, we don't bother with the motoring cone, few do in the Solent.

Don't forget about the black vertical tube either, that's something about ability to manoeuvre in a narrow channel. Bin bag round a vertical hung fender will probably do.

Pete

[Fuss]

Anchor balls, not good for more than 5 days… brand new, 5 days of 25kts +, anchor ball f…ed
Pathetic

[RaymondR]

I use one.

It is a polystyrene float with a spray of black paint which I renew when it goes piebald.

I tend to the opinion that regulatory nuisances of various types tend to be less intrusive if one appears to be making an effort to comply with the rules.

[CSY Man]

I use a ball, and the birds like it..

[Kettlewell]

For one, people who see it will make the assumption that you are anchored, and that makes it easier for others to anchor in your anchorage, which we all have to share or go far afield.

If you survive the situation where your boat is hit while flying an anchor ball, and the person who has done all the damage is taken by you to a marine court, it will affect favorably the portion of blame which is assigned to you.

Here in the USA 99.9% of boaters do not carry an anchor ball, do not fly the anchor ball, and have no idea what it means, if they even notice it. For that matter, I don't recall seeing them in the Bahamas, Bermuda, good chunks of the Caribbean, or Canada. Sure, occasionally, someone is flying the ball, but it is an outdated rule with no rhyme or reason for pleasure boats. How many ring a bell when anchored in restricted visibility?

(g) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of not more than one minute ring the bell rapidly for about 5 seconds. In a vessel of 100 m of more in length the bell shall be sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately after the ringing of the bell the gong shall be sounded rapidly for about 5 seconds in the after part of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in a succession, namely one short, one prolonged and one short blast, to give warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.

[Hartleyg]

Interesting quote from Rule 35, Mr. Kettlewell - but you left out several modifying paragraphs:


(i) A vessel of 12 meters or more but less than 20 meters in length shall not be obliged to give the bell signals prescribed in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this Rule. However, if she does not, she shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.



and


(l) The following vessels shall not be required to sound signals as prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule when anchored in a special anchorage area designated by the Coast Guard:

(i) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length; and



Which changes the situation significantly.


Hartley
S/V Atsa


p.s. No, we don't do sound signals at anchor - no matter where we are.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Hartleyg

Interesting quote from Rule 35, Mr. Kettlewell - but you left out several modifying paragraphs:

Presumably you are quoting some local regulations rather than the IRPCS. Given this is an international forum, this can confusing when looking for sub para L (lima). I can find no sub para L nor any reference to the Coast Guard approving anchorages.

Rule 35

Pete

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Presumably you are quoting some local regulations rather than the IRPCS. Given this is an international forum, this can confusing when looking for sub para L (lima). I can find no sub para L nor any reference to the Coast Guard approving anchorages.

Rule 35

Pete

Pete

The US has special rules, including defining many areas as "special anchorages". In these areas, no day shapes are required.

But this is an international forum and Americans do sail to foreign countries - so they should be carrying an anchor ball

[Hartleyg]

Pete,


You are absolutely correct - those paragraphs are in the US Code of Federal Regulations, which is the enabling rules for the US incorporating the ColRegs.

Obviously, the US Coast Guard doesn't designate "Special Anchorages" outside the US!


The US laws can be found at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-3...I/subchapter-E

from that URL you can work your way up & down the system for the various regulations.


The post by Mr. Kettlewell clearly was addressing the foibles of USA boaters (which are admittedly legion) so I was quoting US regulations. I should have been clearer, as this is indeed an International forum.


Hartley
S/V Atsa

[Kettlewell]

Many (most?) anchorages in the USA are not "Special Anchorages," so if you fly an anchor ball you should also make a sound signal every 2 minutes to be in compliance! Just curious, how many anchor balls do you see in say the Med, Australia, or the Caribbean?