2 Sets of Side Lights..... Okay, or not so Much?

[Richard_W]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Rule 3c : 'The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.'

Navigation Rules Online

Rule 3b: 'The term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery.'
So a sailboat with any motor on and engaged in drive is considered a power-driven vessel and is obligated to used power vessel lights and is prohibited from using 'sailing vessel' lights.

Right ... and then the nav lights defined in RULE 23 apply ... got it.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Rule 3c : 'The term "sailing vessel" means any vessel under sail provided that propelling machinery, if fitted, is not being used.'

Navigation Rules Online

Rule 3b: 'The term "power-driven vessel" means any vessel propelled by machinery.'
So a sailboat with any motor on and engaged in drive is considered a power-driven vessel and is obligated to used power vessel lights and is prohibited from using 'sailing vessel' lights.

Exactly. People are a little lax with this when motorsailing at night, I've found.

Also, dayshapes in North America are very rare indeed. I saw them recently in France all over the place, and was expected to know how to "read" the intentions of fishing vessels showing them, which was almost all of them.

[Roy M]

I built my cockpit switch panel so that the navigation lights are controlled by a "waterproof" Contoura rocker switch, technically, a Double-Pole, Double-Throw (DPDT). In the center position, the nav lights are off. In the "Power" position, the deck-mounted red/green combo, the stern light, the steaming light are all connected to one pole. In the "Sailing" position, the masthead tricolor and the Windex LED are powered up. The compass is illuminated in both modes, using the remaining pole of the DPDT switch. This is how I am now configuring all the mast overhauls that I do when installing radars. It gives me a chance to replace all the mast lights with LED units. My system is probably a bit "overboard" since I also have high intensity discharge lamps for spreader lights. They turn nighttime darkness into daylight, which, in some cases, is exactly what is called for. Especially when you hear a "bump in the night". Zoom in on the pic to read the labels. The second shot is the Windex boom and mast, showing the LED. The snap-ties are to discourage birds from roosting. I use these also on radar antennas for the same purpose.

[El Pinguino]

I have never seen the cone day shape for motor sailing used in Australia.... but they seem pretty hot on it in the UK.

Re showing as much light as possible when anchored this is worth a read http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/4256397...-237-final.pdf

While Rule 30(C) says that a vessel over 100 metres 'shall' i.e. 'must' show deck lights etc... there is nothing preventing smaller ships doing the same in fact most commercial ships do have all their deck and accomodation lights on when at anchor.

'Rule 30(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.'

[jordiebsocal]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Jordie, where in socal are you?

In Marina del Rey (Los Angeles).

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by jordiebsocal

Hey all,

Is it okay to have them all on at once, or should I wire the new set of lights to another switch as an auxiliary set? I don't know if it against regulation to have a stern light, And green/red sidelights on both the masthead and bow...

You may have both lights. Its good insurance. A sailboat may operate a masthead tri-color with or without sails up. You MAY NOT operate both at once. We have both and they are operated through a trhee-position switch on the binacle. (mast;off;deck) We operate the tri-color at sea. It is easier to see at distance in all sea conditions. We use the deck level lights in close quarters in harbors where the mast tri-color is often not noticed, especially by boats that are close. If you are motoring you must also operate a steaming light.

Your tri-color probably also has a stern light built in. You may only operate one stern light at a time, same as noted above. Ours are on a selector switch.

[StuM]

> Your tri-color probably also has a stern light built in

If it doesn't it's not a tri-color, it's a bi-color

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

You may have both lights. Its good insurance. A sailboat may operate a masthead tri-color with or without sails up. You MAY NOT operate both at once. We have both and they are operated through a trhee-position switch on the binacle. (mast;off;deck) We operate the tri-color at sea. It is easier to see at distance in all sea conditions. We use the deck level lights in close quarters in harbors where the mast tri-color is often not noticed, especially by boats that are close. If you are motoring you must also operate a steaming light.

Your tri-color probably also has a stern light built in. You may only operate one stern light at a time, same as noted above. Ours are on a selector switch.

You may not use the tricolor and the steaming light at the same time. The steaming light must be above the red/green/white running lights. This is one reason we have deck-level running lights -- we run them and the steaming light when we are motoring.

All tricolor lights include the white stern light. Tri = 3 (red, green, white).

[Richard_W]

Found a good cheat-picture ... and worth thousand words ...



Courtesy of WM: The West Advisor: Navigation Light Rules

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by jordiebsocal

In Marina del Rey (Los Angeles).

If you are down in the San Diego area lets us know and we can go for sail or have dinner or whatever.

[markpierce]

I've never seen a day-shape, except rarely on a fishing vessel.

[Richard_W]

The dayshapes are shown often by working boats here on Saint Lawrence Seaway (SLS). This dayshape is shown by a tug with a sanitation barge beside it servicing a cottage on one of the island on the Canadian side of SLS.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

All tricolor lights include the white stern light. Tri = 3 (red, green, white).

I wuz robbed ...they sold me a green,white,red!!!!!

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by markpierce

I've never seen a day-shape, except rarely on a fishing vessel.
[/IMG]

Yup and they leave it permanently rigged whether they are fishing, motoring back to town or in the dock...

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Richard_W

Found a good cheat-picture ... and worth thousand words ...

The Mods or who-ever should put that in a 'sticky' together with a link to the relevant rule so we never ever have to address this issue again....

Pity about the anchor light ..