MacGregorSailors.com

I happend to catch this post from Tony in another thread.

Tony D-26X_SusieQ wrote:If an anchor light is the only thing you want to instal you may not need to. The only time an anchor light is required is if you anchor in a channel. If you anchor in an anchorage one is not required. Though it would give you an added measure of security.

I thought I had to have a anchor light when I was anchored in a bay along shore at night. I can't remember seeing any rules on this.

This should answer your queston http://www.auxetrain.org/lights2.html

Anchored Vessels
Power-driven vessels and sailing vessels at anchor must display anchor lights. An anchor light for a vessel less than 50 meters in length is an all-around white light visible for 2 miles exhibited where it can best be seen (see Figure 7). and 2 all-round white lights for greater than 50 meters.



I think what Tony must have meant was a designated anchorage with permanent anchor bouys.

Great site. Thanks Billy.

Actually, the only anchorage that an anchor light is NOT required in is a "Special Anchorage". The words "Special Anchorage" are the key here. In any other anchorage area you MUST have an anchor light showing during times of reduced visibility (which includes night). Check the charts, as well as the Coast Pilot covering your area. If the anchorage you are in is not listed as a "Special Anchorage", then you better have an anchor light.

For boaters in the San Francisco Bay area, the only "Special Anchorage" is Richarson's Bay, near Sausalito. Everywhere else, even if you are anchored on a mooring ball, you must show an anchor light.

For more information, refer to the "International/Inland Rules (COLREGS)", as well as the regulations included in the Coast Pilot for your area.

--
Mark Galbraith
Mac26X "Offline" (2002)
Oakley, CA

Given the foam filled mast on a 26M, what other options are there for an anchor light?

Could you add another light to the mast running light so that in combination they showed white 360 degrees?

Some kind of a temporary stanchion?

I'm lookng for any suggestions to get by until I'm ready to tear into the mast. Anchoring outside of a marina is the next activity I'm looking to undertake.

When I am anchored I attach my halyard shackles to the aft cabin-top stanchions, at the lifeline. I then run a bungy cord around both parts of the halyard to keep them off the mast and spreaders, about a foot over my head. I then hang my anchor light (similar to the Davis Utility Mega-Light on p. 694 of the '04 West Marine Cat.) from the bungy cord. I switched the plug, from the cigarette lighter type, to the type used for the mast light on the Mac and plug it into the deck. Mine does not have the automatic switch.
What I did not like about a mast top anchor light was it was too easy to forget to turn it off during the day.
With the automatic switch, though, this should not be a problem.

I have been hanging a Coleman lantern (like a 300 watt bulb) off the end of the boom after dropping the bimini, and anchoring the lamp to the wheel. The lamp burns out too soon, about four or five hours and has to be pressurized and lit.

I've a battery powered one with fluorescent type bulb that can be recharged at home that I'm going to try.

I'll send the mate out in the dinghy at night for two miles and radio her, to learn if she can still see it. Then I'll have her circle the boat's position at that distance to ensure I have all the angles covered.

Where does one get the black ball for daylight anchoring? I have never seen one in use.
For DIY, what size...Soccer ball size? Black balloon?
Am assuming that even if anchored in 3 feet of water adjacent the beach in daylight, one may be technically subject to the anchor ball requirement, tho I have yet to see any flown.
Any guidance?

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote: about a foot over my head

This is a good idea but is it high enough?

Height is not critical. As long as the light is visible for 360 degrees, out to a distance of 2 nautical miles, then the light can be any height above the deck. It's just that the easiest place to put a light that will have all-round visibility is at the top of the mast.

As to the anchor ball, here in the states, you don't need one for boats our size. However if you are outside the area covered by the inland rules, you should probably have one. As to having to display it when you are just a few feet off the beach, probably not. I guess the question is: "If I don't show it, would it confuse anyone?" If in doubt, run it up.

--Mark

Mark - Are you trying to say I'm too short?
I don't think there is a height requirement, for sailors or anchor lights. It would be higher than on a powerboat. It is supposed to be visible for 2 miles, I believe. Another 10' to 20' higher wouldn't really make much difference IMO.

But if the light isn't at the masthead, even though the light is 360 degree, doesn't the mast block the light from some angles and so make the light non-compliant and maybe inefective?

Technically true, it's blocked by some narrow angle if other than at masthead. However, it's quite common to hoist the anchor light anyway.

I clip the jib halyard to the port shroud and to a Davis Megalight, and hoist it almost to the spreader. The power cord hangs down to a lighter socket at my DC panel, just inside the companionway.

Hey man, sorry for this collision at sea, but I didn't see your boat tonight. Your mast was blocking that light you have back there hanging off the boom and I was in its shade.

Unknownst to this felon, there's a 5% latitude in circumference for such light.

Also, he can see this little white boat much better with light upon it than something up in the top of the rigging mistaken for an unnamed star.

The black ball. Caldwell says it's entirely ignored, for so long, the coast guard has forgotten about it.

It's like a guy running smack into a train that's roaring by. He limps into court and says he didn't see any flashing lights or railroad crossing signs. Gee Whiz.

You be the jury.

There are two things going on here. One is the law. Important, but less so than lighting your boat properly so somebody doesn't run into it. A light that is partially hidden by the mast, boom, roller furler or other parts of the boat can be very confusing to the other guy, especially if the boat is rocking and the light is both moving around and blinking.

Having a zillion candlepower Coleman lantern may be good for you (chances are you won't be hit) but it's hull on the guy trying to move through a crowded anchorage, maintain his night vision, see the other boats which are only showing the requisite, legal 5 watt anchor lights, some showing no lights at all, watch out for anchor rodes, buoys and the like. While I'm on the subject, another of my pet peeves: only jerks or morons (usually power boaters) will flash another boat with a spotlight except in an emergency.

It's not that difficult nor expensive to do it right. I ask that you do so or stay off the water at night.