portable anchor light

[ktwessling]

I'm looking for a small portable anchor light for my 22.5foot Pearson Ensign. I'd appreciate any product suggestions and tips on how people have gotten them up and down intact and functioning (without losing the end of the halyard!). Thanks, KW

[Gene T]

Just connect the light to the halyard so that it hangs down about 6" to a foot, then tie a down-haul line to the halyard also. Hoist the light until you are out of cord and tie down-haul and halyard tight. Lamp hangs loosely from tie point. They work great. I used the tail end of the main halyard as a down-haul as it came back to the cockpit anyway and I could do it all from there.

[knothead]

I think the Davis Mega Light would probably serve you well.

[sailingdog]

The real issue is finding a portable anchor light that is USCG approved. There are many lights that people use as anchor lights that are not USCG approved, and if you are hit by someone, and the issue goes to court, having an unapproved anchor light will leave you in deep trouble

One way to do this is to have a standard LED-anchor light, and either wire a battery pack to it, or have a long enough cable that you can power it from the cockpit or cabin. I prefer the LED-anchor lights, as they have much less power draw, and can be run off of even fairly small batteries for a night.

Unfortunately, LED-based lights are still a bit expensive, and making your own is not really a good option, as USCG approval is problem then.

BTW, I don't believe the Davis MegaLight is USCG approved.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

BTW, I don't believe the Davis MegaLight is USCG approved.

The book says it's visible two NM. I don't think the Coasties will have a real problem with that. Especially in light (no pun intended) of all those who don't use anchor lights at all.
I cruised for years with a kerosene lamp hung from the backstay splits and never had a problem. Even in San Francisco Bay.

[ebs001]

Coast Guard Approval is not an issue as they do not actually approve individual lights , they just set standards. The Davis Mega Light works really well, has a photo cell to switch it off and on automatically, meets the standard of 2NM visibility and has minimal draw, 0.110amps, on your battery. It is advertized in West Marine as an anchor light and sells for $40.99.

[sailingdog]

Oh, in that case, have at it.. I was under the impression that the USCG certified actual lights... As seen in this website

Certifications: USCG 2NM, COLREGS '72, ABYC A-16

Also curious as to why this document and this document clearly state that the USCG certifies navigation lights. If ebs001 or knothead could explain, I'd be interested to hear their explanations.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 84 and 183

46 CFR Part 25

[USCG-1999-6580]
RIN 2115-AF70


Certification of Navigation Lights for Uninspected Commercial
Vessels and Recreational Vessels

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is delaying the effective date of the final
rule on Certification of Navigation Lights for Uninspected Commercial
Vessels and Recreational Vessels published in the Federal Register on
November 1, 2001. The final rule requires domestic manufacturers of
vessels to install only certified navigation lights on all newly
manufactured uninspected commercial vessels and recreational vessels.
This rule aligns the requirements for these lights with those for
inspected commercial vessels and with requirements for all other
mandatory safety equipment carried on board all vessels. The Coast
Guard expects the resulting reduction in the use of noncompliant lights
to improve safety on the water.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The final rule is effective on November 1, 2003.

[ebs001]

The lights are certified when they meet the standards, the Coast Guard does not get a light sample from each manufactuer and certify it.That's why it mentions "non compliant lights" in the last sentence. BTW the rule only applies to manufacturers of new boats."The final rule requires domestic manufacturers of vessels to install only certified navigation lights on all newly
manufactured uninspected commercial vessels and recreational vessels".

[sailingdog]

Yes, but you would think that if the MegaLight was USCG compliant for use as an anchor light, they would say so on their sight.

I would also refer you to the following story.

The Mega-Light actually comes in three versions. The original model, now called a "Utility," has no provision for mounting. The identical light with an L-shaped stainless steel bracket and a 12-inch pigtail for wiring directly into the ship’s power instead of a portable cord is named the "Masthead." Although Davis claims a two-mile visibility, which would be legal as an anchor light on most vessels, the Mega-Light is nowhere near as bright as a standard anchor light. We have a Masthead model mounted in the interior as a security light at our stairway with a switch to turn it off when it is not wanted.

[ebs001]

It meets the minimum standard - that is all that is required