Ken posts:

Sorrry, but I think that this is an extremely bad idea.  Having many 

lights on distracts and makes it difficult to see the navigational lights
which are often of lower power.  Many nights I have had to search out to find
the colored lights, because of the brightness of deck lights and other lights
that can be misinterputed.  The more lights on your boat, the worse your
night vision will be.  The only light I will allow at night anywhere the helm
person might see it is a dim red light.  I have one overhead and one on the
chart table.  Lights below are recessed and do not shine out onto the deck.

Recreational boats should have as bright and visiable navigational lights 

as possiable.  Many boats come with inadequate lights.  Obtain quality lights
with 25 watt bulbs.  Be sure that the forward steaming light and stern light
are clearly visiable.  On many boats I have moved these up higher and
replaced with better quality lights.  On my current boat, the forward
steaming light is 18 feet off the water, and the side lights are 12 feet off
the water, the stern light is 8 feet off the water.  They all have 25 watt
bulbs.

Ken is correct that a tricolor on a sail boat is very difficult to 

see--the reason for that light is to conserve power.  I have run a tricolor
on the mast head, but if other boats, especially shipping appears, then I
turn on the mast head white light and the standard running lights and
extinguish the tri color.  Even though I am not under power, I am ready to go
under power and wish to be so treated.  If a large ship does not respond with
a call on VHF as to what his intentions are--then a search light-not into the
eyes, but toward the ship, will often awaken the watch. (On a sailboat a spot
light on its own sails and flashing on and off the deck lights) If I do this,
I close one eye to retain light vision as best I can.  Finally if there is a
dangerous situation and the intent is not understood I fire a white flare.  I
have had situations where there was absolutely no person visiable on watch,
and where the helms person was asleep on watch where there were dangerous
situations--in that case--go the opposite way.  This especially is good
advice where you thing that there may be a tug and tow and you are not
certain--the tug does not answer, then stand clear until he is definately
clear at least a mile astern--they proceed with caution.  Barges notoriously
have poor lights and sometimes with seaclutter may be difficult to see on
radar.  Generally tugs towing will tell you how far back the barge is, and
follow you on radar, if you make contact with them.

Most vessels will come back when called on the radio.  Passenger liners 

are some of the most difficult vessels to see navigational lights on, since
they have many lights, and occasionally colored lights that are not
navigational.  They also move at exceptional speed.  I have only once had a
passenger vessel fail to respond to a call on VHF in that case I suspect that
the vessel had forgotten to begin moniter Ch 16 since he had just left the
harbor.  Be aware of what harbor frequencies--12, or tug frequencies 13  or
traffic control/separation schemes  are monitered.  If no response on 16 call
on those other area frequencies.  In our areas the tugs and tows are
excellent and announce their position and intent on 16 and 13.

Regards,

Bob Austin

I agree with Bob Austin about the dangers of running with the boat "lit
up like a Christmas tree."

As I was coming down the Patuxent River one evening after dark, in the
area where it's close to a mile wide and a hundred feet deep, all I
could see was an area of bright lights. Thought at first it was a river
boat gambling operation, but we don't have those in Maryland. The next
thought was a dredge since it was right on the edge of the channel at
the confluence with another channel, but it wasn't there when I went
upstream several hours earlier. Didn't respond to VHF calls for
clarification. Couldn't see any running lights through the bright white
lights. Didn't seem to be moving, but it was difficult to tell.

Turned out to be a head boat - that's what we call commercial fishing
boats that take people out for a day, 1/2 day or evening fishing trip
here on the Chesapeake. I absolutely couldn't tell until I was about 1/2
mile away because of the haze and the glare from the lights. It was
either drifting or anchored, I never was able to determine that.

I didn't think of trying the search light since there seemed to be more
than enough light on the other boat!

Thataway@aol.com wrote:

--
Bob McLeran                              rmcleran@ix.netcom.com
M/V "Sanderling"                        Docked at Point Patience Marina
Hailing port: Wianno MA                      Solomons, MD
Hampton 35 Trawler