No, that's ok. I think you have enough "opinion" for all of us. Unlike my family, I'm only a recreational boater (although our last cruise was 4 years and 19,000 miles). Unlike my father, who, when not at sea, was a guest lecturer at CMA, I can't repeat COLREGS word for word. My boat is sail and thus only has this little tiny bow mounted running light (red/green separated by a piece of stainless between the lens. So, no, I have no opinion regarding this matter. Since joining this forum, however, I did notice lots of members encouraging Galaxy Girl. I'd be more inclined to worry about meeting her on the water any time soon than if my running light boards had a mat black finish. But, hey, that's just me.
Herd of Tugs?
- Thread starter O C Diver
- Start date
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So who determines if they are necessary? And if it's determined that they are not necessary, is it a violation to install colored screens instead of flat black?
psneeld
Guru
The operator or anyone else as the case may be...if your "factory lights" don't meet the sector requirements...then screens are necessary, The USCG consistently has referered to the "operator" as the one who needs to meet the rules in their writings.
While some may want to debate it....a USCG inspection officer clearly explained it to me that flat black is the desired choice to avoid relection of the light itself and causing confusion....meaning they will fail your vessel if it is inspected or note you did NOT meet the spirit of the rules if they refer to your screens (as in an accident investigation) if not mat black.
Again...no huge issue as most know it's not even a remotely enforced rule on rec boats.....just what I was taught, experienced in the field and verified through recent contact with those who enforce the rule.
While some may want to debate it....a USCG inspection officer clearly explained it to me that flat black is the desired choice to avoid relection of the light itself and causing confusion....meaning they will fail your vessel if it is inspected or note you did NOT meet the spirit of the rules if they refer to your screens (as in an accident investigation) if not mat black.
Again...no huge issue as most know it's not even a remotely enforced rule on rec boats.....just what I was taught, experienced in the field and verified through recent contact with those who enforce the rule.
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psneeld
Guru
No, even the USCG certification has proven to be insufficient for proper sectors occasionally.
Here's some additional food for thought...
from.... New Boatbuilders Home Page - Navigation Lights
"Several years ago, at a major boat show, I found over ninety violations of navigation light regulations. It is too easy to do it wrong."
Per the article...........
"They may even require you to recall boats that do not have correctly installed navigation lights. Also, if you do install navigation lights you then you must put a certification label on the boat."
So, I'm guessing that somehow, someone, has deemed that Ranger Tugs meet the requirement. I can't find any factory recall.
"They may even require you to recall boats that do not have correctly installed navigation lights. Also, if you do install navigation lights you then you must put a certification label on the boat."
So, I'm guessing that somehow, someone, has deemed that Ranger Tugs meet the requirement. I can't find any factory recall.
I've read that link before. It's not an "official" USCG page, it's opinion. Educated opinion, but still opinion.
The only peron who can settle this once and for all is a judge, when and if this ever gets taken to court. If the right lawyer buys a new production Sea Ray and a Coast Guard officer writes him a citation for illegal navigation lights, that may be the time.
I think the USGC has bigger fish to fry but if they have the time, I would like to invite them to visit my area and cite the five permanently anchored boats, none of which displays an anchor ball and four of which do not display anchor lights (the other one has a solar yard light as an anchor light).
The only peron who can settle this once and for all is a judge, when and if this ever gets taken to court. If the right lawyer buys a new production Sea Ray and a Coast Guard officer writes him a citation for illegal navigation lights, that may be the time.
I think the USGC has bigger fish to fry but if they have the time, I would like to invite them to visit my area and cite the five permanently anchored boats, none of which displays an anchor ball and four of which do not display anchor lights (the other one has a solar yard light as an anchor light).
