When is a stern light required?

[randyo]

From this website, I found the following: <br /><br />

All Vessels When Not Underway<br />All vessels are required to display a white light visible in all directions from a distance of at least two miles whenever they are moored or anchored away from dock, in other than a special anchorage, between sunset and sunrise.

Basically, Im wondering if I am required to have my light on in my 17foot boat in the bay if my engine is off and we are just floating. The reason Im asking is because Im not really sure what it means to be "moored"-- what does it mean?<br /><br />EDIT: Im refering to the all-round white light?

 

[massimofinance]

Re: When is a stern light required?

I actually recently had a similiar question, posted in electronics:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=27;t=002537

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: When is a stern light required?

When other boaters see a white light with no other navigation lights, it indicates to them that vessel is not moving and that it is anchored. Mooring is like a dock out in the water where the anchor is a permanent fixture. Boats tie up to them and then use a dingy or other boat to get to shore.<br /><br />So if you are drifting, you should have all your navigation lights on. When at anchor, you should use your all around light which would be your stern light.<br /><br />Hope this helps you. If I'm wrong, I'm sure I will be corrected.

 

[Kopasetic]

Re: When is a stern light required?

That is the only time the all-round light is supposed to be on, when you are at anchor. Guys around here think they are a night-time running light, they are not. My Chris craft scorpion only allows me to have running lights or anchor light on not both at same time, not sure why all mfgrs dont do that.

 

[vipzach]

Re: When is a stern light required?

I didn't realize that the white light on the stern of the boat was for anchoring only, I thought it was how you could tell the back of a boat at night.<br />red and green=bow<br />white=stern<br />These always made sense to me and I know what direction to move to avoid a collision or if I am approaching the stern of a boat.<br />My boat has a two position switch for the lights. The one that says anchor turns on the dash and white light and the other position turns all of them on.

 

[travism]

Re: When is a stern light required?

According to the online safety course that I took from the Power Squadron, the all around light is to be used when under power as well as when you are at anchor. <br /><br />It seems otherwise a boat could come up right behind you and not see any lights if you don't have an all-around light shining off the back. Maybe your boat is different as I only have navigation (green/red) in the front and an all-around white light in the back.

 

[travism]

Re: When is a stern light required?

Oh, and I also agree with what Mayfloat said in regards to the original poster's question.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: When is a stern light required?

The stern light is required whether you are moving or not. In fact, the way the switch is wired, its either stern light on (anchor) or both (navigation) or both off. If yours operates otherwise, its wrong.

 

[stevens]

Re: When is a stern light required?

Jeez, I am finding this whole discussion a bit frightening. Isn't this basic knowledge?<br /><br />A boat displaying only a white light is either stationary or moving away from you. If you can also see one of the green or red lanterns, it is approaching on a crossing course. If you can see all three lights (white, red & green), it is coming at you.<br /><br />Excempt from this, at least over here, would be small boats (i.e. shorter than 7 meters and slower than 7 knots) who would only be required to have one 360-degree white light. The same boats are then required to actively yield to all other traffic.

 

[monkeyboi]

Re: When is a stern light required?

we always leave the stern light off while anchored and fishing, but turn it on when another boat approaches. the light attracts bugs and they become a nuisance. i know this is not by the book, but how bad is it?

 

[noelm]

Re: When is a stern light required?

I think there is some confusion here, the stern "running" light is NOT visible alround, the anchor white light is seen allround with no other lights on, the stern light in conjuction with the red and green is visible from a pre determined arc to the rear but I cannot remember the exact degrees it should be visible from, but I am sure someone will find it.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: When is a stern light required?

Noel, I tried pointing out that fact a few months ago but it's possible that the regulations in the U.S. are different to our regs. - dunno.<br /><br />In Aus, all other lights must be off if the anchor light is on, this tells other boaters that you are stationary and at anchor. If you have the port/staboard/stern lights on, it is assumed that you are underway. The anchor light and the stern light are two seperate lights - the anchor light is to be mounted high enough so that it can be seen 360deg. If you are drifting, the running lights must be on and the anchor light off.<br /><br />BTW, the degrees of arc for the stern light is 135, side lights - 112.5. Anchor light - 360.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[KRS]

Re: When is a stern light required?

The size of the vessel determines whether the anchor light and the stern light must be two diff lights. On my boat, the all around light is a stern light and an anchor light.

 

[xltier]

Re: When is a stern light required?

my boat is up for front and rear lights and down for stern light only.it is about 30 inches high and white all around.its a 1988 sunbird 21 foot bow rider.my friends boat is the same way.?????

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: When is a stern light required?

Guys, I quoted Australian regs, I don't know if yours are the same.<br /><br />BTW, how can a STERN light be 360deg? The operative word being 'stern'?

 

[xltier]

Re: When is a stern light required?

just checked maine inland laws and it says my boats way is correct up to 26 feet in length.then you have to have another white light up front that shows a arch of light.around 220 degrees i think it said.anyway,thats it.its in the inland and fisheries wildlife web site.hth

 

[KRS]

Re: When is a stern light required?

STERN light can be both when under a certain length.... only one is needed. So a 360 degree light does both.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: When is a stern light required?

Here ya go!<br /><br />U.S. Coast Guard Requirements - Lighting<br />Coast Guard minimum equipment requirements vary with the size of your boat, type of propulsion, whether operated at night or in periods of reduced visibility, and, in some cases, the body of water on which it is used. Boats carrying passengers for hire have additional equipment requirements. For more complete details on how many and what types of equipment you must have aboard your boat, request a copy of the free brochure, "Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats", either from your local BoatUS Marine Center, the BoatUS Foundation, or from the Coast Guard Customer Info Line at 800-368-5647. <br /><br />Please note that requirements shown below hold true for most areas, but local regulations are intricate. Be sure to check with your local government for marine safety regulations in your area. You can visit your state's boating page by surfing to the Foundation website at http://www.boatus.com/onlinecourse/statehomepg.html. <br /><br />Navigation (Running) Lights <br /><br />Required on boats between sunset and sunrise. A sailboat under motor only, or under sail and motor, is considered a powerboat, and must display appropriate lights. <br /><br />BOATS UNDER 12 METERS (39.4') <br /><br />Sailboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5°, visible 1 n.m. White stern light, 135°, visible 2 n.m. OR, tri-color masthead light. <br /><br />Powerboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5°, visible 1 n.m., placed above hull at least 1 meter (3.3') below masthead light. Masthead: white, 225°, visible 2 n.m., at least 1 meter above side lights. White stern light, 135°, visible 2 n.m. OR, one all-round (360°) white light (should also have sidelights). <br /><br />BOATS 12 METERS (39.4') TO 20 METERS (65.6') <br /><br />Sailboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5°, visible 2 n.m. White stern light, 135°, visible 2 n.m. OR, tri-color masthead light. <br /><br />Powerboats-Separate or combination red and green sidelights, 112.5°, visible 2 n.m., placed above hull at least 1 meter (3.3') below masthead light. Masthead: white, 225°, visible 3 n.m., at least 1 meter above side lights. White stern light, 135°, visible 2 n.m.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: When is a stern light required?

it would seem that according to the above post, regs are universal.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: When is a stern light required?

Yep - regs are universal. They have to be, otherwise think of the horrors if boats moved from one area to another! They're known as 'INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS AT SEA' and cover all waterways connected to the sea. Common sense means that closed inland waterways should also follow the same regs.<br /><br />Try reading 'Browns Rules of the Road.' It should be a must for every boater, and should be stressed at every boat safety course.<br /><br />The book is the recognised 'Bible' on the subject, and covers everything regarding safety and collision avoidance, including lighting regs, sound signals and buoyage.<br /><br />As a poster up there said, there are plenty of dangerous idiots out there - and I'll bet they've never heard of lighting regs or any other safety issues.