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Anchor light

24K views 72 replies 34 participants last post by  Flybyknight 
#1 ·
We sail on Georgian Bay. Like most of us, we also try to manage our battery power. Many sailors around here now use solar lights in lieu of the mast anchor light, ourselves included. I am now looking for a solar light that actually has some power and can be seen from some reasonable distance (suffice to say that, in areas where I do expect night-time traffic, the anchor light goes on in any event).

Any suggestions?
 
#2 ·
I saw a sailboat anchored in Fairlee Creek, a small, Chesapeake Bay tributary, that had eight, solar LED lawn lights around the rails. It was about a 40 footer and looked like it was it was lit up like a Christmas tree. Everyone from one end of the creek to the other could easily see the boat.

I don't know if the lights had sufficient battery power to remain lit all night long, mainly because I didn't roll out of the bunk until about 9 a.m..

Good Luck,

Gary :cool:
 
#8 · (Edited)
I saw a sailboat anchored in Fairlee Creek, a small, Chesapeake Bay tributary, that had eight, solar LED lawn lights around the rails. It was about a 40 footer and looked like it was it was lit up like a Christmas tree. Everyone from one end of the creek to the other could easily see the boat....
That wouldn't satisfy either the COLREGS or the Inland Rules.

...I don't know if the lights had sufficient battery power to remain lit all night long, mainly because I didn't roll out of the bunk until about 9 a.m..
I doubt they would be very bright by the wee hours of the night/morning. I have used several flavors of these little lawn lights at home, and none of them are very bright, if they're on at all, by 2 or 3 am.

I use an LED lantern, hanging in about the middle of the fore triangle. The one I use has four NiNH D-cells that last at least 20 hours. Having the anchor light in the fore triangle is a bit better, IMHO, than at the masthead in that it's far easier for the skipper of a boat tooling around or near an anchorage to spot it than it would be were it ~40 feet above the water. At 18 or 20 feet above the water the lantern is visible from much further away than the theoretical visibility of the lantern. The anchor light can have a small part of its arc obscured by the mast, and doesn't have to be at the tippy-top of the mast:

Annex 1; section 9: All-round lights shall be so located as not to be obscured by masts, topmasts or structures within angular sectors of more than 6 degrees, except anchor lights prescribed in Rule 30, which need not be placed at an impracticable height above the hull.
 
#6 ·
Agreed, please use a real anchor light... In my observation, the solar lights I've seen many cruisers using are a pathetic excuse for an anchor light...

I highly recommend one of these variants from Bebi... Awesome product, lifetime guarantee, absolutely wonderful people to deal with...

LED Anchor Light-Waterproof & Rugged for Marine RV and Offgrid Use

Their website isn't the easiest to navigate, but it's worth poking around... Their combination bright white anchor/warm white cockpit light is a great solution to a deck level anchor light...
 
#5 ·
Solar garden lights are not really legal anchor lights.

You might try a portable anchor light like the Guest, which you can suspend from a halyard with a line attached to the bottom bail.

 
#10 · (Edited)
Solar garden lights are not really legal anchor lights.

You might try a portable anchor light like the Guest, which you can suspend from a halyard with a line attached to the bottom bail.
Really? Why? If your solar garden light is an all around-white light where it can be seen, then you're in compliance by my reading of rule 30 (b). Are you meaning to say that they're not Coast Guard Approved? Is there a federal or state law that I should be aware of that requires Coast Guard Approved anchor lights to be used?

MedSailor

From THE RULES:
Rule 30 - Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground

(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.

(b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.
 
#7 ·
This is the one we use. It has always been the brightest in any anchorage that we have been in. And, it has a sensor so it turns off at dawn and on at dusk. And, at $35.50 plus shipping, it was easy on the pocket book!

I have no affiliation with the company but am a very satisfied customer.

We installed two spreader lights May of 2011 and we think they are terrific. Again - very low battery draw.

I have pictures of them on our boat if anyone needs them.

Rik
 
#11 ·
I think the thought against garden lights is while they are white and all around, they do not (or may not) meet the brightness / visible distance requirements, escpecially all night long...

Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights

The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in [Section 8] of Annex I to these [Regulations | Rules] so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:

(a) In vessels of 50 meters or more in length:

(i) a masthead light, 6 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 3 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 3 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 3 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.
 
#17 ·
Agreed, and thank you for the citation. Though I will post the same section for boats UNDER 50meters here as well. My boat is smaller that yours it seems. :p

I would also like to add that my recommendation to the OP is to replace the bulb with a high intensity LED at the masthead and use that. LED bulbs last forever, use little electricity, and I've never found a solar light that was bright enough for me and stayed on all night. If he is concerned about USCG approval he should replace the housing and bulb. While USCG approval will go a long way towards proving that your light meets the requirement, it may not be enough in a court battle. A dirty housing, low voltage and many other reasons could make your light not visible. It could come down to witness credibility etc etc. Again though, the USCG cert would help, just don't expect it to give you a free pass from the other guy's lawyer on this point.

Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights

The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in [Section 8] of Annex I to these [Regulations | Rules] so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:

(b) In vessels of 12 meters or more in length but less than 50 meters in length;

(i) a masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters, 3 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 2 miles;
(iii) a sternlight, 2 miles;
(iv) a towing light, 2 miles;
(v) a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(vi) a special flashing light, 2 miles.

(c) In vessels of less than 12 meters in length:

(i) a masthead light, 2 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 1 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 2 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.

MedSailor
 
#12 ·
USCG approved means it has been tested and meets the visibility distance requirement. if it is not an approved type then you can not prove it does meet the requirement. someone hits you and the lawyers find out you will be liable
 
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#13 · (Edited)
Right. The bottom line is that you should have a proper marine anchor light that you're willing to use. When you start talking about using a $5 home depot light, that may or may not last an entire night, for a fairly important function you've got a problem.

In this case $40-$100 for a marine LED light solves that and it's worth it. I mean hanging battery lights are fine, but why bother? Wire in a permanent LED anchor light (the OP already has an existing one) and you're done.

EDIT: Funny story, when I bought my boat the previous owner casually mentioned that the masthead light didn't work so he climbed up the mast every time he sailed at night to mount a battery one. "Be careful" he said (at least the boat does have steps).

Needless to say one of the first things I did was debug this problem. At the time my electrical consisted of one + bolt , one - bolt and a rats nest of corded wires and inline fuses. Eventually I replaced some fuses and figured out that the masthead light was labeled "windshield wiper" on the panel. For the first season "windshield wiper" was my masthead light.

So that's one extreme. Personally, after re-vamping the entire electrical I'm thrilled to have a switch I can flip to turn on the new LED anchor light - no hanging or mast climbing required. (As a throwback I labeled the unused circuit on my electrical panel "Windsheld Wiper")
 
#22 ·
The main problem I have with the LED lights atop the mast is because they are quite small and very bright, then tend to look like a star on a clear night. If the entire boat is lit up like a Christmas Tree, the decks and cabin are illuminated, then I'm fairly confident that anyone coming into a congested anchorage area late at night is gonna see this boat long before they spot a boat with a tiny, bright LED atop a 50-foot mast.

I calls em like a sees em, ;)

Gary :cool:
 
#24 ·
The main problem I have with the LED lights atop the mast is because they are quite small and very bright, then tend to look like a star on a clear night. If the entire boat is lit up like a Christmas Tree, the decks and cabin are illuminated, then I'm fairly confident that anyone coming into a congested anchorage area late at night is gonna see this boat long before they spot a boat with a tiny, bright LED atop a 50-foot mast.

I calls em like a sees em, ;)

Gary :cool:
That's why I have a solar light on my transom and one on my bowsprit. I ALSO run the mizzen-top anchor light, but it can get lost in the stars, or just be too high to see when maneuvering close. The solar lights help (I hope) make me visible down low and show the size of my boat from end to end. I also have some SOLAS reflective tape on the masts and the hull which is really bright if they are using a light of their own.

MedSaillor
 
#25 ·
Here is a another court case; this about anchor lights.

Collision - Breach of Collision Regulations - Offence - Due Diligence

R. v. Bridle, 2008 BCPC 52,

This case arose out of a collision at night between two pleasure craft, one of which was at anchor. At the time of the collision the anchored vessel was not displaying the all-round white light required by the Collision Regulations. The accused was the owner/operator of the anchored vessel. The accused said that he only learned the anchor light was not working the night of the collision and attempted but was not able to repair it. He left an interior bathroom light illuminated in place of an anchor light. The Court found that the accused had not used due diligence in that the accused could have returned to a dock rather than stay anchored without a proper light. The accused was convicted.
Full text - CanLII - 2008 BCPC 52 (CanLII)
 
#26 ·
My personal preference is something mounted in the rigging somewhere or just above the deck. While our masthead anchor light is fully approved type I do take the point that other boats may not be looking up as they come into an anchorage.

Supposedly the Guest lantern is out of production btw.
 
#27 ·
My personal preference is something mounted in the rigging somewhere or just above the deck. While our masthead anchor light is fully approved type I do take the point that other boats may not be looking up as they come into an anchorage.

Supposedly the Guest lantern is out of production btw.
Not to mention re the Guest, it's not especially bright, and you'd better bring a boxload of 6V batteries along to power the damn things on an extended cruise...

You're right, something like a Bebi anchor/cockpit combo light hung from the topping lift or backstay, is the way to go in a crowded anchorage...

BTW, anyone for whom an LED light fitted to something like an Aqua Signal masthead fixture "blends in with the stars", really needs to have their vision checked... (grin)
 
#31 ·
I actually have an "anchor ball" (it came with the boat). And I have used it a few times; usually in areas where there might otherwise be some confusion. However, I haven't seen many other boats displaying such a signal.
 
#30 ·
Nit picking it may be, but that's what lawyers get paid to do. Jackdale recently posted a judge's ruling on a containership vs sailboat collision at sea case. It is a L-O-N-G but very informative read about what goes into a case where one boat hits another and insurance companies are fighting it out for the money. BTW, this was about a USD$150,000 case, so not big by any means.

Link Here:FindACase™ | GRANHOLM v. THE VESSEL TFL EXPRESS
Thanks MedSailor, I actually read it all, even though it is a bit hard to get through, but still fascinating. (OK, I skipped some of the damages evaluations ;) )
 
#34 ·
I use an anchor ball, but probably for an entirely different reason. It's a float connected to 30 feet of line that allows me to pull the anchor out of a snag backwards. Also, in a congested area, it tells everyone else where my anchor is sitting. Just saves a bit of grief.

Cheers,

Gary :cool:
 
#36 ·
Gary - up here in the PNW, anchor floats / trip lines are frowned upon as they restrict the amount of space in anchorage. They actually will cause grief. :(
 
#41 ·
As far as Anchor lights go I thought the min requirement was an all round white visible for 2 miles for less than 12 meters and 3 miles for less than 20 Meters but more than 12.
 
#42 ·
Rule 22 says 3 miles for 50 m and up, 2 miles for all others.

Rule 22 - Visibility of Lights

The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in [Section 8] of Annex I to these [Regulations | Rules] so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:

(a) In vessels of 50 meters or more in length:

(i) a masthead light, 6 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 3 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 3 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 3 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.

(b) In vessels of 12 meters or more in length but less than 50 meters in length;

(i) a masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters, 3 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 2 miles;
(iii) a sternlight, 2 miles;
(iv) a towing light, 2 miles;
(v) a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(vi) a special flashing light, 2 miles.

(c) In vessels of less than 12 meters in length:

(i) a masthead light, 2 miles;
(ii) a sidelight, 1 miles;
(iii) a towing light, 2 miles;
(iv) a white red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.
(v) a special flashing light, 2 miles.

(d) In inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or objects being towed;

(i) a white all-round light; 3 miles.
 
#44 ·
I + all those who suggest a regulation LED anchor light. This takes care of the OP's concern, battery usage, and keeps you legal and safe. I went with the Hella 360 Naviled anchor light a couple of years ago--it cost $100. Yeah, you have to go up the mast to install, but you won't have to keep going up the mast to replace bulbs.
 
#46 · (Edited)
The best anchor light you can buy! Hang it in the fore triangle. You will not believe how bright it is.

The light is the little pvc cap, I put a length of pvc pipe on it to protect the tiny wires. I prefer a light a few feet off the deck. Masthead lights are difficult to see when entering an anchorage at night. Nobody looks up that high, also the led ones look like stars.
http://www.bebi-electronics.com/owl.html

 
#47 ·
here in mexico if you are hit by something in darkness and you have no light to light your boat, then you go to jail until you are proven to be at fault, and you will so be. must have light of some kind to light you up a lil so isn t a problem.
btw--i have seen many yotties displaying blue lighting for cockpits here--DONT DO THAT!!!! blue lights here means WHORE HOUSE.
 
#51 ·
I have to agree with Gary that many masthead LED anchor lights look very similar to a star. I especially noticed this the last time down in the BVI. For me at the helm, coming into an anchorage after dark it was much easier to work through the anchorage seeing anchor lights on the fore triangle or boats lit up like a christmas tree instead of peering around the bimini top looking upward. I know it may not totally meet regulations but ahelluva lot easier on the captain to see where the boats are. Just my 2 cents. I personally use a masthead and a light at the fore triangle but also have a couple of solar lights in the cockpit.
 
#52 ·
More is better.

We use the Davis anchor light mounted about 8' above the water. It is not LED but it draws VERY little. Sometimes we also use the masthead anchor light.
We also have solar garden lights at the bow, stern, plus port & starboard; all at toe rail level. I think having one at the bow is especially important because of the morons who cut close to the bow.
When underway at night, we store the LEDs away.
 
#57 ·
Thanks, I stand corrected. I should have phrased my prior post as a question rather than a statement, since I was interested in hearing more experienced opinions like yours, knowing that my own opinion was a based on minimal experience.

So let me ask one more question: Why do US sailboat manufacturers bother to mount the anchor light at the masthead, since it's such a bad location for it, and not required by the USCG to be located there? I'm not looking to challenge any of your statements, because I'm sure you're right, but it just puzzles me why they don't come up with some alternative that works better.

And yet another question: Does someone out there make a 2nm rated light fixture that's acceptable for hanging in the foretriangle? It sounds like I ought to pick one up, but don't recall seeing anything specifically designed for this. It would seem that there should be a large demand for this sort of thing - basically, every cruising sailboat out there.
 
#58 ·
So let me ask one more question: Why do US sailboat manufacturers bother to mount the anchor light at the masthead, since it's such a bad location for it, and not required by the USCG to be located there? I'm not looking to challenge any of your statements, because I'm sure you're right, but it just puzzles me why they don't come up with some alternative that works better.
I can think of a couple of reasons:
1) It is out of the way. Just about anything that sticks up on a sailboat will eventually be ripped off by a line. Putting it up on the mast gets it into a safer location.
2) Many of us who go offshore use a tricolor to be better seen. This is, by definition, mounted on top of the mast. Integrating the anchor light and the tricolor makes for a nice installation.
 
#59 ·
my schooner friends use a kerosene lamp, dedicated anchor light with fresnel lens, in the fore triangle. is the best place for a schooner to place an anchor light--traditional and practical. i have both dedicated kerosene anchor light with fresnel lens and some cockpit lighting leds. works better than the cant see them masthead lights.

my nav lights are 10 ft above level of water and in my shrouds. easily seen and recognized. is a traditional location for nav lights, as opposed to bow lights, which are generally unseen/more difficult to identify.
 
#62 ·
JonEisberg, as to your comment concerning those that have for a brief moment of time couldn't quite distinguish a dim light to a masthead anchor light from a distance should refrain from sailing at night, was quite harsh even with your (grin) tacked on at the end. I guess you took it to read that we can't distinguish the difference until we run smack into the so called starship. Of course all of this could have been avoided if the boat had another light visible other than the quasi star at the top of his mast. (grin) By the way love the picture of the yacht alone at anchor.
 
#64 ·
Nah, wasn't meant to be harsh, perhaps it's just me... (grin)

I've sailed in a few spots with minimal light pollution, and where the stars shine brightly pretty low to the horizon, but the chances of mistaking a typical anchor light with one at a distance seem a bit low, to me... I've spent nights in Elizabeth Harbor in Georgetown, Exumas, for example, in the midst of 350+ other boats, and I think it was still pretty easy to distinguish most of them from the stars... At least, not before the combination of rum drinks and sea stories being swapped really started to add up...

As Maine Sail suggests, it's possible if someone is showing a tiny, dim light, I suppose... One thing you mentioned jumps out at me, however - the fact that you were struggling a bit to look out and around from beneath a cockpit bimini at the time... I absolutely HATE having to deal with that sort of impediment to visibility at night, and can certainly understand that when poking your head out from underneath intermittently, such confusion about lights can exist...

Of course, favoring uncrowded anchorages, or holes that can accomodate only one boat, problem solved... (grin)

 
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