Phil, what you are sorta doing here kinda conforms to the statement in the
International and Inland Rules which goes, "A vessel at anchor may, and a
vessel of 100 meters or more in length
shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her
decks." This requirement may stem from the act that the two required anchor
lights on these larger vessels are so far apart that approaching vessels may
try to "split the difference" rather than that they are too high for smaller
vessels to notice. You MAY do it, but big guys SHALL do it. Either way,
the lighting of these larger ships is likely to be sufficient to prevent any
misunderstanding as to their position and size.
At 26 feet up, I am not so concerned about my anchor light being too high
for approaching boats to see, but when there is background lighting, it may
just merge together with that lighting. Now that my anchor and spreader
lights are all three LED-powered, I am more disposed to turning on all three
whenever I am in doubt about the area where I am anchoring. I also have a
battery-powered LED lantern I can prop up in a cabin window to add
illumination.
I have given consideration over the years to adding those cool LED deck
illuminators I see on newer vessels to the sides of my cabin. Mounted high
enough to clear the bulwarks, they would be a handy way to light up at
anchor.
Rich Gano
Calypso (1972 Grand Banks 42)
Panama City, FL
We have a compliant anchor light at our mast head, Monk trawler. Taking an
from another boat, I mounted an inexpensive solar charged dusk to dawn
light on the Bimini frame on each side of the flybridge using cushion
dropping the light's stake into the clamp ring. Certainly cheap and easy,
visible at anchor the entire night.
Phil Pennington
Phil, what you are sorta doing here kinda conforms to the statement in the
International and Inland Rules which goes, "A vessel at anchor may, and a
vessel of 100 meters or more in length
shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her
decks." This requirement may stem from the act that the two required anchor
lights on these larger vessels are so far apart that approaching vessels may
try to "split the difference" rather than that they are too high for smaller
vessels to notice. You MAY do it, but big guys SHALL do it. Either way,
the lighting of these larger ships is likely to be sufficient to prevent any
misunderstanding as to their position and size.
At 26 feet up, I am not so concerned about my anchor light being too high
for approaching boats to see, but when there is background lighting, it may
just merge together with that lighting. Now that my anchor and spreader
lights are all three LED-powered, I am more disposed to turning on all three
whenever I am in doubt about the area where I am anchoring. I also have a
battery-powered LED lantern I can prop up in a cabin window to add
illumination.
I have given consideration over the years to adding those cool LED deck
illuminators I see on newer vessels to the sides of my cabin. Mounted high
enough to clear the bulwarks, they would be a handy way to light up at
anchor.
Rich Gano
Calypso (1972 Grand Banks 42)
Panama City, FL
> We have a compliant anchor light at our mast head, Monk trawler. Taking an
idea
> from another boat, I mounted an inexpensive solar charged dusk to dawn
garden
> light on the Bimini frame on each side of the flybridge using cushion
clamps and
> dropping the light's stake into the clamp ring. Certainly cheap and easy,
and more
> visible at anchor the entire night.
> Phil Pennington
