Anchor light = Masthead light + Stern light?

[dk_igor]

I just took possession of my new-old boat and am realising that we do not have an anchor light (anchoring overnight is not super common in my waters).

But we do have a masthead light (motoring light) and a stern light ... would those two togehter (without the bi-color bowlights) be a sufficient anchor light?

[thomm225]

I've used a lantern for my anchor light the past 12 years.

It's also much brighter that the mounted mast and stern lights.

[krid2000]

No.

HTH
Dirk

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by dk_igor

I just took possession of my new-old boat and am realising that we do not have an anchor light (anchoring overnight is not super common in my waters).

But we do have a masthead light (motoring light) and a stern light ... would those two togehter (without the bi-color bowlights) be a sufficient anchor light?

Some powerboats have a masthead (steaming) light and a stern light mounted high and on the same stalk... and then have switch controls so white and colored lights are on when underway, but only the white lights are on when anchored.

Not exactly shown in your illustration, but the image lower right comes close.

-Chris

[Tin Tin]

Think of the other boat coming into the anchorage at night during a rainstorm, he has no radar or AIS, even if you are transmitting. He is coming beam on to you one moment he sees a steaming light then a stern light, how confusing is that?

[Nekton73]

No.


Combining the steaming light and stern light does not constitute an all round anchor light.


Technically it would mean you are under power, but not under way. A little used combination but still that's what it means.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

Think of the other boat coming into the anchorage at night during a rainstorm, he has no radar or AIS, even if you are transmitting. He is coming beam on to you one moment he sees a steaming light then a stern light, how confusing is that?

In practice, that "both lights on the same mount" that I described makes it a non-issue. It just looks like one all-round white light.

-Chris

[Kettlewell]

I would get a portable anchor light you can hang lower down in the rigging somewhere. I find them much more useful for me entering the anchorage after dark.

[Tin Tin]

Originally Posted by ranger58sb

In practice, that "both lights on the same mount" that I described makes it a non-issue. It just looks like one all-round white light.

-Chris

Your post is not relevant to the OP's question.

[marcjsmith]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

Your post is not relevant to the OP's question.

if you want to get technical, Your first and and second post did not answer the OP's question, neither did Kettlewell, nor Thom225, or this post for that matter.

this place would pretty boring if folks responded with one word answers and no discussion or topic drift...

OP. some of the newer LED masthead tri color lights incorporate an anchor light option. Downside is they are pricey, and you'd likley have to run another wire up the stick.

Others have mentioned an all around battery operated light you can hang from a halyard which would likely be a cheaper and easier solution.

[rslifkin]

Anchor lights need to appear as a single light, but the exact location and how you achieve that isn't all that strict. A pair of 225* steaming lights mounted to either side of the mast 6 feet above the deck would do just fine for an anchor light, for example.

[Fintry]

Although most of us use a single bulb at the top of the mast for an anchor light, as noted above, it is ok to use two bulbs in the same fixture, but not two bulbs at different altitudes.


As also noted above, using a single all around light hung much lower than the masthead is more likely to be seen than a top of mast light. Note that the regulation reads "A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:..." -- it does not have to be at the top of the mast.


Note also that the light which the regulations call "Masthead Light" does not have to be at the masthead and on boats our size rarely is.


Jim

[pbiJim]

Some mast head lights are single wire combination units. With these, turning on the switch illuminates one light (perhaps the tri-color light) and toggling the switch a second time changes function to the second light (perhaps the anchor light).

Please toggle your switch a few times & see of your mast head light changes function.

Your white anchor light needs to be visible from 360 degrees within a 2 mile range.

https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice...t-requirements

[landsend]

Install another light just above the cabin on mast.Mast light
really looks like a star.Some of the yahoos travelling in their fast boats on GPS at night will not see you until its too late.

[tkeithlu]

Expanding on landsend's post above: A single light does nothing for depth perception and can be confused for being a star or a streetlight. Consider adding LEDs in a string up the mast or outlining part of the boat. The steel cable around our wheelhouse roof has ordinary outdoor rope light tied to it.