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Old 03-23-2017, 07:01 PM   #1
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In what universe is an anchor light red

I have seen quite a few boats (ok, mainly sailboats) in the bahamas who apparently think they are cell phone towers? Also seen some blue... some nav lights at top of masts.. Is this a Canadian thing?
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Old 03-23-2017, 07:13 PM   #2
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I don't recall the specifics, but if the sailboat is under a certain size they can use a tricolor masthead nav light. I don't like them as it puts the nav lights too high IMO.
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Old 03-23-2017, 07:20 PM   #3
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Not Canadian for sure, anchor light are required to be white up here.
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Old 03-23-2017, 07:21 PM   #4
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I don't recall the specifics, but if the sailboat is under a certain size they can use a tricolor masthead nav light. I don't like them as it puts the nav lights too high IMO.
Right, but I don't think that relieves them of the need for an anchor light, which should be 360 deg, all white.
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Old 03-23-2017, 07:31 PM   #5
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Greetings,
The blue ones are Brit's...

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Old 03-23-2017, 07:42 PM   #6
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One night in Cayo Costa there were two power boats with flashing white lights. Not strobes, but 1/2 second on, 2 or 3 seconds off. I can't remember anything like it in the Nav Rules.
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Old 03-23-2017, 07:43 PM   #7
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I don't recall the specifics, but if the sailboat is under a certain size they can use a tricolor masthead nav light. I don't like them as it puts the nav lights too high IMO.
not talking about a hobie cat.. staring at a 50' mast, their 2'oclock red as red can be.
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Old 03-23-2017, 07:59 PM   #8
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Why would you ask if it is a "Canadian thing"? Did you see it in Canada or the Bahamas? I have never heard of the like. Any anchor light I have ever seen in Canada is white 360.
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Old 03-23-2017, 08:07 PM   #9
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Old 03-23-2017, 08:21 PM   #10
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not talking about a hobie cat.. staring at a 50' mast, their 2'oclock red as red can be.


Neither am I. IIRC the masthead tricolor is acceptable for sailboats up to 65'. Not exactly Hobie Cat range.

So you see a red light at the top of the mast. Are you looking at the port or starboard side of the mast? If you are looking at the 120 degree arc on the port side it could a nav light. If not, I have no idea.

If it was me, I'd be curious enough to go over and ask them. :-)
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Old 03-23-2017, 08:58 PM   #11
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The tricolor masthead nav light is only to be used at sea, not inland waters. And, it's the usual three colors with an additional white anchor light on a separate circuit. I've seen the white masthead strobes on the Bay, can't imagine why.

Given the original teensy bow nav lights on the '72 Morgan 27, I added a tricolor thinking I'd prefer being seen to breaking the rules.

Some folks do, indeed, seem to occupy alternate universes. Sorta' like alternative facts.
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Old 03-23-2017, 09:05 PM   #12
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I would think by "their 2 o'clock" he's seeing their starbord side, which makes the boat size irrelevant.....it should be green if they're moving...white if they're not...never red.

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Old 03-23-2017, 09:16 PM   #13
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Benthic2: Great reply. The mast head light was introduced by the French as they felt that their waters, the Bay of Biscay, had such high waves that a boat in the trough could not be seen. It is a pain in the "ass" to the rest of us for sure. As for anchor light the international rule calls for a "white light" showing 360 degrees. But both the rule really means that you must show a light which indicates that you are a boat at anchor, hence the use of numerous garden LED lights attached to rails.
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Old 03-23-2017, 09:24 PM   #14
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There are a few reasons why a boat would have an all-round red light. If it's a fishing vessel it would normally display all-round red over white. If it's engaged in diving it would be all-round red over white over red. Not sure if this applies to the boat you are looking at?

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Old 03-24-2017, 12:19 AM   #15
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IMO (International maritime organisation)


To my knowledge, all the preliminary rules vessel are involved in international and pleasure boats. the lighting uniform in every corner of the world. fold be the only thing in the world for a consensus?


The new LED anchor lights if they are cold and white, look like a star from a distance at night, at close range only to see the boat, you should choose a warm tone LED anchor light.
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Old 03-24-2017, 12:27 AM   #16
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It could be Red over Red lights being used if run aground or being towed
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Old 03-24-2017, 12:35 AM   #17
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There are a few reasons why a boat would have an all-round red light. If it's a fishing vessel it would normally display all-round red over white. If it's engaged in diving it would be all-round red over white over red. Not sure if this applies to the boat you are looking at?

Richard
and pilot boat normally display all-round whithe over red.
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Old 03-24-2017, 01:01 AM   #18
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and pilot boat normally display all-round whithe over red.
Indeed - I figured it wasn't likely he was looking at a pilot boat. But who knows?

I found this under Rule 25

(c) A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in Rule 25(a), exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green, but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by Rule 25(b).



Maybe that's what he's looking at?

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Old 03-24-2017, 01:05 AM   #19
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LaBomba, he's a Bayliner driver...8^)
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Old 03-24-2017, 01:40 AM   #20
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On a USN destroyer in the 60s we had a pair of red lights that were on in port or at anchor for airplane clearance lights. Also the standard anchor lights. I don't know if they still show those lights.
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