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In the "Wing" One-minute guide book on page 34 it says that for power-driven 50m or more the second white mast head can be an all-around so you don't need a separate stern light for inland.
At least that is how I interpret the graphic below.
International requires a separate stern light.
The end result is the same light configuration visible.
Do you know what page it is on in the USCG rules book, I could not find it?
Not sure why it matters as they look is pretty much the same except for the height of the stern light.
Under rule 23 (a) a separate stern light is required.
Rule 23 - Power-driven Vessels Underway
(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit (click on icon to see picture
(i) a masthead light forward;
(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;
(iii) sidelights: and
(iv) a sternlight.
(a) "Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel, except that on a vessel of less than 12 meters in length the masthead light shall be placed as nearly as practicable to the fore and aft centerline of the vessel.
"(d) A power-driven vessel when operating on the Great Lakes may carry an all-round white light in lieu of the second masthead light and sternlight prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule. The light shall be carried in the position of the second masthead light and be visible at the same minimum range."
In the waters of the Great Lakes Basin, a power-driven vessel
when underway may, instead of the second masthead light and
sternlight prescribed in paragraph (a), carry, in the position of
the second masthead light, a single all-round white light or two
such lights placed not over 800 millimetres apart horizontally,
one on either side of the keel and so arranged that one or the other
or both shall be visible from any angle of approach and for
the same minimum range as the masthead lights.
I've often wondered what practical reason there is for the lighting rules to be different for inland than anywhere else. I can almost understand the towing and pushing differences, but for a power driven vessel? David- even studying for my license I never picked up on the second mast head/all round light variance for inland, good eye.
(c | d) (i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.
So your motoring back to the slip and your mast head light goes out.
As long as navigation lights are working just flip on your anchor light and pop the bulb out of your stern light and you are legal.
Jackdale?
Interesting, I've just been reading over section 23 and 24. They are two of the more difficult, especially when the rules change for varying locations. It does seem nonsensical to have different rules for different places. Changing light patterns as in, "...below the Huey P Long Bridge...." seems really pointless.
I find the Inland rules much easier to follow as the demarcation lines better define the areas better than the Canadian modifications. Some of the mods apply in "In the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway." I took me quite a while to get that to sink in.
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