Anchor Balls

[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.

[rslifkin]

I can't say I've ever seen anyone else display an anchor ball where we cruise, but we use one religiously. So those displaying the ball in the US may be in the minority, but it's certainly more than zero.

[s/v Jedi]

Y’all better hide those balls and find shelter lol

[SailingHarmonie]

Another vote for a US vessel that flies an anchor ball all the time when on the hook. I can think of no rational reason not to.

Seems kind of like using your turn signal on the road--Not as common as it should be.

In general, the larger the boat, and the more professional the crew, the more likely the ball is to be used.

[Panope]

Now I'm feeling guilty.

Guess I had better get one.

What are the rules about the diameter of the ball?

[dfelsent]

I use an anchor ball and a steaming cone. Sometimes the ball in mooring fields where they are not special anchorages. People ask what it is, or stop by to say hi!
On my 38 footer I never thought about it but now at 13 meters and 40000 pounds I do things much more deliberately.

[Kettlewell]

I have never flown an anchor ball and don't intend to. The rational reason not to is zero gain in safety. Anyone who is idiot enough to run over an anchored boat will not be deterred by an anchor ball and wouldn't know what it meant anyway.

[wsmurdoch]

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?

From Colregs Annex 1

§ 84.11 Shapes
(a) Shapes shall be black and of the following sizes:
(1) A ball shall have a diameter of not less than 0.6 meter;
(2) A cone shall have a base diameter of not less than 0.6 meter and a
height equal to its diameter;
(3) A diamond shape shall consist of two cones (as defined in
Paragraph (a)(2) of this section) having a common base.
(b) The vertical distance between shapes shall be at least 1.5 meter.
(c) In a vessel of less than 20 meters in length shapes of lesser dimensions
but commensurate with the size of the vessel may be used and the
distance apart may be correspondingly reduced.

[Chotu]

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

That’s just another foreigner.

But show us another original pic of one within the next week of your travels.

In all seriousness, if that’s an American flying that, you probably had a hand in convincing them through posting about it. i know i was slightly considering it after reading your arguments.

i’ll stick to the when in rome stuff

[Topsailb]

Almost no boats (but me…now!) display the “at anchor” day shape where I cruise. It is a requirement as indicated in the previous post. The problem comes if there is a problem. A PWC hit an anchored sailboat in a local area used as an undesignated anchorage. In broad daylight. There were injuries to the operator and passenger and damage to both vessels. The owner of the sailboat was found to have contributed to the “accident” because the proper day shape was not displayed. Sadly, all it takes is an agressive lawyer and no day shape.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

I have never flown an anchor ball and don't intend to. The rational reason not to is zero gain in safety. Anyone who is idiot enough to run over an anchored boat will not be deterred by an anchor ball and wouldn't know what it meant anyway.

^^^^I disagree.

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.

We personally have a friend, whose boat was struck at night, and what kept her out of jail, was that other people could testify that she flew the anchor ball in the daytime, and the vessel was correctly lit at night, actually had 2 lights, one lower down that illuminates the cockpit, and the all round white in the forward part of the rigging on her classic timber yacht. Her legal hassle, due to the parents of the two deceased lads in the motor boat that struck her, was considerable. From my point of view, something I would not want at all to undergo. Since then, we have been meticulous about our displaying ours.

Ann

[Chotu]

alright. i’m getting one in the spring then.

unless you have to take it down every night. is that part of the process?

[MicHughV]

As opined elsewhere, anyone that hits your boat in broad daylight will likely be undeterred by an anchor ball. If they can't see your boat, it's even more unlikely they'll see the ball.

Invariably, the lawyers will see it otherwise.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Chotu

alright. i’m getting one in the spring then.

unless you have to take it down every night. is that part of the process?

We don't take it down at night. It is difficult to see at night in dark places because it is black, and it is not misleading. We do fly it when the boat is on its mooring. We like people to ask about it.

Most people here who are interested in boats are aware of the incident I wrote about above. She is a writer, and a contributor to an Australia-local boating magazine.

Ann

[HankOnthewater]

I see that Murdoch in post #8 beat me to it. Thank you.
Often we have these kind of discussions, and no one lists the exact rules or wording for those rules.
Strange, IMO does not show the colregs on theri website.
https://www.imo.org/

Usuing this site: http://www.mar.ist.utl.pt/mventura/P...OLREG-1972.pdf
Rule 30 shows about such ball, copied below:

Anchored vessels and vessels aground
(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;
(ii). at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.
(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.

And as Murdoch copied in his post (from annex 1) it gives details of such shapes.

I seem to recall that boats under 7 meter (~22 ft) are exempt from showing such anchorball, but I can not find info on that.
Here is more info on sizing:


eh..... up to now I never shown an anchorball, have not got one on board.