There's a dead sailboat anchored downriver from my marina. It has no black anchor ball and the Walmart garden light it was using for an anchor light has failed.
So according to the COLREGS, you must raise your anchor ball as soon as you anchor unless it's already dark and leave it up until you get underway the next morning unless you leave before sunrise. And don't leave it raised while you are underway.
As for the "maritime court" thing, I would like to think hat if you manage to run your boat into an anchored boat in broad daylight it would be pretty much your fault. I mean if you run into a floating log it would be your fault. Run into a dock and it's your fault.
If I can't tell if a boat is anchored, I pass behind it.
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