Navagation Lights

[blaze]

Hi all
Whats every body do when running at night time with the reflexion off the clear a round nav light, Did a 40k run home the other night and turned it off. Made the run home with the port and starboard lights on and the cabin light, which would be visable from all around. Not that there was any other boats about. just interested
cheers
blaze

[basserman]

blaze being in the same sort of boat (low night time boat traffic) i have two clear light on my big boat one half forward one half astern
but on my small tinnie that i use more at night i run the normal nav light and have some lights under the gunnals that get turned on when at a still so people can see me with out it getting in my eyes and for my alround clear i have just taped a bit of electric tape over one little bit that was getting in my eyes while driving
now i know your not spossed to do that but the light is still around 80% visable around
it is the best i have been able to come up with apart from going the twin lights which i am not going to do on a 3.85 tinny tinnie thats already draws too much power and has no room left

[NQCairns]

Hi Blaze, When can I start living through your next boat refit? I may have to get the mask and resin out soon and actually work on mine if nobody else starts one here.
About the light I think you are talking about the anchor light? I should never be on when running only the port/starb lights. It can get pretty confusing when those white lights move around.nq

[basserman]

in nsw it is law that all three light are on whist moveing nq

[NQCairns]

Really!! I just left nsw a couple of years ago and thought it was a no-no. Has this just come in or am I forgeting?nq

[basserman]

POWER DRIVEN VESSELS
Power driven vessels underway must, as a
minumum, exhibit the following lights:
Vessels 50 metres or more in length
(a) masthead light forward;
(b) second masthead light abaft of and
higher than the forward one;
(c) sidelights; and
(d) sternlight.
Vessels 12 metres or more in length but less
than 50 metres
(a) masthead light forward;
(b) sidelights; and
(c) sternlight.
Vessels less than 12 metres in length
(a) masthead light forward;
(b) sidelights; and
(c) sternlight.
or
(a) all-round white light;

i belive it has always been in just no one like the danm things
http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/sbh.html

[NQCairns]

Thanks Basserman for the info I have been breaking the law for 20 years! I guess QLD is the same, the white light robs a person of much night vision, I really do not understand why it is needed the side lights are designed to be seen at all forward and most side facing angles. Why force another light forward? A half light rearward is good but forward is less than safe. But what do I know!nq

[blaze]

hi
just been looking since i asked the question on the Marine And Safety Tasmania site and could not find anything, even under the safety section, there seems no requirements for lights at all, we have either good night vision or I am totally blind and cant find it
sent them an email, wonder if they will answer
cheers
blaze

[stark]

These rules are international rules, not State to State.

From: International Regulations for the Preventing Collisions at Sea.

1- Vessels less than 50M in length

" Power driven boats must show sidelights and either an all round white light or a stern and mast head light. Sailboats under engine power are classified as a power driven boat."

2- Vessels less than 7M in length

"sailboats under 7 mtrs and vessels under oars must have a torch or lantern showing a white light ready to display in time to prevent collision"

'A power-driven vessel of less than seven meters in lenght whose manimum speed does not exceed seven knots"

"All round white light and side lights if practicable"
Traveling in our restricted waters, I personally perfer to see the lights as per regulations. It is difficult to have to make a sudden course change to prevent running over a tinnie in choke points or near a channel marker. I don't like the idea of running aground because someone was in the channel with no lights showing.

Cheers
John

[Robbo_Townsville]

Hi guys help me out hear, I am in Qld and whilst moving run a
Port, Starboard and Stern light. Whilst at rest I just have the stern light on. Am I breaking the law? If so can someone tell me what lights I have to run whilst moving and whilst anchored.

Cheers

[stark]

Robbo-

A vessel at anchor and less than 50M in length must show a mast-head light (all round light).
A stern light is a 135 deg. light and is not visible forward of 22.5 deg of each side of the vessel.

Underway-

" Power driven boats must show sidelights and either an all round white light or a stern and mast head light. Sailboats under engine power are classified as a power driven boat."


regards
john

[SNELLY]

So Robbo what do you fish for at night or shouldn't i ask ?

[aido]

the traditional anchor light which always seems
to be fitted at the rear quarter is a pain in the butt
when underway (destroys night vision)
i fitted one on top of the rocket launcher so its
high up, visable all round but not reflecting off everything
at the helm/cockpit.

[basserman]

yeh i did the same sort of thing with my larger boat i have a half light rear and half light on top of my bimini

but in a tinny thats where it sucks and found myself with the piece of tape so i can see somewhat!

i belive the alround light (or split system) is so faster boats can see slow boat as they come up to them
ANCHORED VESSELS
Vessels 50 metres or more in length
(a) in fore part - all-round white light or
one ball; and
(b) at or near stern and at lower level
than light in (a) - all-round white light.
Vessels less than 50 metres in length
(a) - all-round white light.
Vessels less than 7 metres in length
(a) no lights - if not anchored in a narrow
channel, fairway or anchorage or where
other vessels normally navigate.
DRIFTING VESSELS
Vessels which are drifting are still
‘underway’ and must show the same
navigation lights as if they were still
making way. For example, if a power
vessel is drifting it must show its white
light and side lights.

[blaze]

This is the reply I recieved from MAST, and as i read it you need a rear light and side lights and the around is optional when under wayRobbie,

An all round white light is to be displayed whilst at anchor.

The port and starboard are to be used whilst underway together with a stern
light - an allround white can be used for a power driven vessel under
12metres
Regards

cheers
blaze