If you're going to be sailing overnight, make damn sure that your navigation
lights work properly and are visible for the two nautical miles required by law.
A masthead tricolor is far better than deck level lights, as it is far more likely to be seen, especially in heavy seas, where the deck level lights may be blocked by the seas.
Many people who are single-handing will stay awake at night and get most of their sleep during the day, as it is far more likely that a small boat will be seen during the day, and that the crew of large ships are far more likely to be alert during the day than the night watch is.
I'd agree that the
radar reflector is also a necessity. If you do have
radar, setting it with a watch zone alarm is a very good idea...
__________________
Sailingdog
Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
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