Light Required at Night When Docked

[sasto]

Re: Light Required at Night When Docked

Since everyone is so knowledgeable about the lighting requirements I have an additional question, not intending to hijack and its related.

I have a 1977 Sea Ray 260 (26' 6"). The lights are wired like this. a three position switch. Pos one is off all lights. Pos 2 is the post light on the windshield lit 360 degrees (anchor light). Pos 3 is my question, It is Nav Lights in front, both red and green, stern light in rear and the back section of the Anchor light but not the forward approx 270 degrees of the anchor light. Is this OK? Do I need to rewire?

Your set-up is good.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Light Required at Night When Docked

Since everyone is so knowledgeable about the lighting requirements I have an additional question, not intending to hijack and its related.

I have a 1977 Sea Ray 260 (26' 6"). The lights are wired like this. a three position switch. Pos one is off all lights. Pos 2 is the post light on the windshield lit 360 degrees (anchor light). Pos 3 is my question, It is Nav Lights in front, both red and green, stern light in rear and the back section of the Anchor light but not the forward approx 270 degrees of the anchor light. Is this OK? Do I need to rewire?

The bold/underlined is a problem. For your size boat the stern light should cover the the stern. The mast head light should be visible in the forward arc.

Under 26' can have a single 360? 'masthead' light.

And for everyone, you can find the full Nav rules online on the USCG website.
ONLINE COMDTINST M16672.2D, NAVIGATION RULES (International-Inland)

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Light Required at Night When Docked

Pos 3 is my question, It is Nav Lights in front, both red and green, stern light in rear and the back section of the Anchor light but not the forward approx 270 degrees of the anchor light. Is this OK? Do I need to rewire?

Your set-up is not a problem. What you're viewing...more than likely...is 315 degrees of white light (22.5 degrees abaft on each side = 45 degrees. 360-45=315 degrees). As long as that is your navagation side of the switch (as you indicated).

What this set-up is doing is providing 2 stern lights (actually, 1 is a masthead) during navigation, one higher (thus more visable) than the other. Don't rewire anything.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Light Required at Night When Docked

Since everyone is so knowledgeable about the lighting requirements I have an additional question, not intending to hijack and its related.

I have a 1977 Sea Ray 260 (26' 6"). The lights are wired like this. a three position switch. Pos one is off all lights. Pos 2 is the post light on the windshield lit 360 degrees (anchor light). Pos 3 is my question, It is Nav Lights in front, both red and green, stern light in rear and the back section of the Anchor light but not the forward approx 270 degrees of the anchor light. Is this OK? Do I need to rewire?

If I understand your post correctly, you have a light on a post above your wind shield that has 2 bulbs inside of it, when both bulbs are lit (position 2) it is visible 360 degress and can be used as an anchor light. When the switch is in position 3 only the aft bulb is lit and shows over an arc of 135 degress towards the stern, the same as your stern light.

If so, this is not correct. When you are underway (not anchored or moored) the side lights, stern light, and the forward arc of this light (225 degress), known as a masthead light, should be lit.

See Bekosh's illustration.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Light Required at Night When Docked

Doernuth "Is this OK?" Yes
"Do I need to rewire?" No

Mine is the same (switches to stern light only) Higher more visible than just the light on the transom.

This is why i love this forum. Called two buddies, one fountain, one donzi and with mine, baja, that makes 4 manufactures, 4 different dealers and all have windshield mount. All four are wrong according to bekosh/robinson. So went to perko and looked up the wiring for a masthead, and yep masthead should be on to forward when underway, and the aft side should come on when 360 or anchored. Makes since, the darn thing shines in your eyes.
The question is, did they change the standard, all 4 boats are pushing 20 years old or more?
New post?
link to Perko
http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromyst/ecatalog/images/Figs 1181&84 Inst (1181INS1).pdf

 

[nofuss]

Re: Light Required at Night When Docked

Ok I could jump in here. the Perko guide where the forward bulb is on, is correct this is a very old international standard. even here in the southern caribbean this is listed as the law of the sea. however smaller vessels are not required to have this mast head light.
the problem is that the rear section of this light could be used as a stern light on a smaller vessel (Not required to carry a mast head light). once mounted aft of the red and green lights and since the mast head light is not commonly known. Ive been boating for many years and only knew about it when i went to do my captain's licence 3 years ago. people tend to believe that it is an extra stern light. actually two stern lights directly above each other is a specific signal which i cannot remember right now. but the configuration of lights tells other boaters whats going on with your boat.

To the OP Although boats at a dock are not required to carry navigational signal lights, if your dock is not lit, and is in an area where there is the possibility of you being accidentally struck by another boat that may not have seen you I would recommend lighting your vessel. if its a rental and the only easy method is to use one of the nav lights. use your anchor light. but do light it if u think there is a risk. if u are plugged in leave lights in the vessel on also. there is no rule against lighting it with the anchor light, or other on ship white lights. but if the area is lit there is no real need.

No Fuss