Masthead light

[JPA Cate]

It seems to me there are two issues here: first is complying with proper lighting for the boat under way and at anchor; the second is how to illuminate one's boat at anchor so that other folks don't run into it anyway. The legal requirements are in West Marine Catalog as well as other sources.

While he is underway, marvinjansen50 can use his steaming light and his deck level navigation lights. While at anchor, he needs an all-round white, 2 mi. visibility, generally displayed in the forward part of the rigging. Recently (like the last 20 yrs. or so), we have taken to displaying an all round white in the aft part of the rigging above the boom, which illuminates the whole after section of the boat, making it very visible to people in small runabouts, in addition to our masthead anchor light.

Something that might work for the one night is one of the portable all-round white lights available for runabouts and dinghies. Battery operated, but with a little creativity with line for up and down haul, could be suspended by using the from the spinnaker pole topping lift to hoist it, and in the forward part of the rigging. Not at all a permanent solution, but if it is bright enough, might see him through... Have to check to learn if it has the required 2 mi. visibility.

Ann

[Group9]

Originally Posted by marvinjansen50

group9, what make and model is your "portable LED anchor light" ?

I made it myself so its' a "Group9 portable LED anchor light".

But it was easy to make using an old incandescent portable anchor light, a medicine bottle, LED white strip lights, and electrical connectors. It's ten times brighter than it was before my modification.

[Bill Seal]

Just make sure your portable lantern used "C" or "D" batteries like this one.Ozark Trail 300-Lumen Lantern - Walmart.com Those wimpy little AAA s won't last all night.

[Nicholson58]

We have proper nav lights installed but we also put out an LED solar charged garden pathway light - biggest one we could find. It is every bit as bright as the 2-mile rated lights but can be located more conveniently where it can be easily seen a few feet above deck level and not so easily blocked by the masts and other rigging. This lasts all night & recharges in the course of a day.


The OP noted that he has both mast head tri-color/anchor combo and deck level nav lights. His tri-color combo is not working so he has no all-around white for anchoring. Since he plans to anchor out of a "Designated Anchorage" he ill need an all around white adequate for a few hours. This is easy enough as has been suggested in the above posts.

[Group9]

When there are powerboats operating at night in your anchorage, there is no such thing as too many lights.