Who remembers all around white lights?

[Chotu]

I am in a busy Anchorage for the first time in quite a while.

Looking around at anchor lights I see:

Boat 1: yellow flashing strobe on cabin top , no other light.

Boat 2: some Christmas lights strung around, some white and some red. No other light

Boat 3: some bluish colored light at the boom “twittering.” Sort of a chaotic strobe effect. Also some strung Christmas lights No other lights.

Boat 4: no lights at all

Boat 5: looks good plus spreaders lights


Remember all around white lights for anchoring? Times sure have changed.

[kayakerChuck]

I'm old enough to remember when boats running at night had lights.

Now, it seems to be about 50% have proper lights, maybe 25% have only underwater lights, and about 25% are totally dark.

Anchored? Many just seem to use a loud stereo.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by kayakerChuck

I'm old enough to remember when boats running at night had lights.

Now, it seems to be about 50% have proper lights, maybe 25% have only underwater lights, and about 25% are totally dark.

Anchored? Many just seem to use a loud stereo.

You know how they say laugh out loud? I really did with the stereo comment. Ha ha.

We are some old-timers I guess. It’s just not done like that anymore.

[Jim Cate]

That's funny! Here in Oz the introduction of inexpensive LED lamps has increased the fraction of anchored boats that are properly and well lit by a large factor. It is pretty rare to find unlit boats at anchor in Tasmania, and I suspect also along the mainland east coast. No experience elsewhere in Oz in recent years.

Jim

[boatpoker]

I guess I'm an ol'timer now ... I adhere strictly to colregs including anchor lights and day anchor signal.

I want to be able to stand in front of a judge and say ... Yes your honour I was in complete compliance with Collision Regulations.

[Orion Jim]

In the U.S. there are many special anchorages designated which do not require anchor lights on certain qualified vessels. Perhaps this is the case and some are not aware of these designations. The demarcations are clearly outlined on charts.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/33/109.10

[Fore and Aft]

Chotu that's a seriously disappointing question from you. You have been on a roll with some really great questions on boats. I have a few suggestions for your next thread.
#If I install a second mast on my cat will I learn to sail schooner?
#Can I use Boat-tox to rejuvenate my cat?
#How can I stop my chandlery visits from being an Oar-deal
#If I stop sailors talking onboard my cat am I now a Censor-ship?

Anyway, there's still plenty of anchor lights in the anchorages I visit. I will be the first to admit that I have had a few close calls with unlit anchored boats at night.
Cheers

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

In the U.S. there are many special anchorages designated which do not require anchor lights on certain qualified vessels. Perhaps this is the case and some are not aware of these designations. The demarcations are clearly outlined on charts.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/33/109.10

Most people assume that any place marked on a chart as an anchorage is a “Special Anchorage” which is not the case.
There are a lot fewer “Special Anchorages” than many people think.

[ChrisJHC]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

That's funny! Here in Oz the introduction of inexpensive LED lamps has increased the fraction of anchored boats that are properly and well lit by a large factor. It is pretty rare to find unlit boats at anchor in Tasmania, and I suspect also along the mainland east coast. No experience elsewhere in Oz in recent years.

Jim

When I stayed in Refuge Bay earlier this year (Pittwater, NSW, Aus), I was impressed that the vast majority of boats had their anchor light on.

Ditto in the Whitsundays in September.

[Mike Burch]

Even if you do have a proper anchor light on, "forward where it may best be seen" as the Colregs have it, the position of the other end of the ship is not always immediately obvious. A small bit of self-adhesive retro-reflective tape on each corner aft can draw attention to itself at a surprising distance, without looking ridiculous in daylight.
Like Boatpoker, I nearly always used a day shape as well, And even a cone point down when I was motor-sailing, something I don't remember ever seeing any other yacht do.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

In the U.S. there are many special anchorages designated which do not require anchor lights on certain qualified vessels. Perhaps this is the case and some are not aware of these designations. The demarcations are clearly outlined on charts.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/33/109.10

Then why would these boats be lighting themselves incorrectly?

Plus, special anchorages are marked by a pink line on the charts. Pretty easy to see and not really all that common once you are out of the Northeast.

I just found it really surprising how many of these boats are not properly lit. I do believe that is more of a Florida thing though. It’s just not as proper of a place. Lol

[thinwater]

Yes, sailors should use the correct lights.


But this is not an "old times were better" issue. It was even worse before LEDs IMO. Nothing new here.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I guess I'm an ol'timer now ... I adhere strictly to colregs including anchor lights and day anchor signal.

I want to be able to stand in front of a judge and say ... Yes your honour I was in complete compliance with Collision Regulations.

Same here. Locally, I'd say most others at least make an attempt, although I've seen some questionable nav light setups, burned out bulbs they haven't noticed, etc. Many know they're supposed to have and use the things, but they don't know what the lights are really supposed to be.

[noelex 77]

Yes, it always amazes me the number of boats with inadequate anchor lights.

These days with LED lights and the improvement in electrical production and storage, there is no excuse. We always use both anchor lights and low down general lighting. This combination is a huge help to other boats entering or traversing the anchorage at night, which of course means they are less likely to damage our vessel.

However, the situation does seem to be getting slightly better. Boats relying solely on solar garden lights now seems to be on the decrease.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

Yes, it always amazes me the number of boats with inadequate anchor lights.

These days with LED lights and the improvement in electrical production and storage, there is no excuse. We always use both anchor lights and low down general lighting. This combination is a huge help to other boats entering or traversing the anchorage at night, which of course means they are less likely to damage our vessel.

However, the situation does seem to be getting slightly better. Boats relying solely on solar garden lights now seems to be on the decrease.

Yes. Those solar garden lights. I remember those. They used to go out at about 4 AM usually. Ha ha.

I use the all around white light as well as spreader/deck flood lights. Like the big boys do. With no mast right now, I just keep the salon lights on full brightness all night.