Lights when underway at night

mrtopknight

New Member
Oct 3, 2006
361
Lake Mary, FL.
Boat Info
2001 182 Sport
Engines
4.3L MerCruiser w/ alpha one
I keep getting mixed answers to this question. Should you have both bow and anchor lights on when underway at night or just bow when underway and anchor when anchored at night? :smt017

It's getting close to our holiday Christmas light cruises :smt038 and I just wanted to nail it down before then.
 
mrtopknight said:
I keep getting mixed answers to this question. Should you have both bow and anchor lights on when underway at night or just bow when underway and anchor when anchored at night? :smt017

It's getting close to our holiday Christmas light cruises :smt038 and I just wanted to nail it down before then.

Personal I go with both bow and stern lights when running. If I could big a big flashing light I would. :thumbsup: Have to make sure the fast running bass boats see me :smt021
 
Yeah, but the way my switch is you can only put both or just bow. I would not want to give other boat the misconception that I am anchored when I'm moving :huh:
 
mrtopknight said:
Yeah, but the way my switch is you can only put both or just bow. I would not want to give other boat the misconception that I am anchored when I'm moving :huh:

Not sure, but you should not have your bow lights on when you are anchored. Are you sure your switch is right? should be the other way. Both or anchor only.
 
You need to have your anchor light on.

There needs to be a rear facing white light so if you have a stern light (I don't think you do), the rear-facing part of the anchor light should NOT be on. Boats approaching from your rear should see a single white light and boats approaching dicrectly from the front should see a high white light and red and green side lights. On smaller boats, the anchor light (360 degree white) is all there usually is for white light and no stern light.

I usually turn my cabin lights on just to make sure people see me.
 
Just check my online manual and found this.

10. NAVIGATION AND ANCHOR LIGHTS
Navigation lights MUST be on while underway from
sunset to sunrise or in conditions of reduced
visibility. “Underway†means the boat is not docked
or at anchor. Trolling or drifting with engine off is
considered “underway†and navigation lights must
be used.
If you are anchored in open water, i.e. where other
boats can approach yours, you must display your
anchor light a white light that can be seen from all
possible directions, i.e. 360 degrees.
Read the “Federal Requirements and Safety Tips
for Recreational Boats†provided in your kit.
 
While underway in conditions that require the use of lights, you need to show port and starboard running lights as well as a (forward facing white) steaming light plus a stern light. OR, on a boat your size, the white lights can be combined into an all-around white light. If you use an all-around white light this can also double as your anchor light.

If you use the all-around light setup the switch should have 2 on positions 1 would illuminate all 3 lights the other would illuminate only the all-around white (anchor) light.

If you use the multiple white light setup then position 1 of the switch will illuminate the red and green plus the steaming light plus the stern light. In position 2 only the all-around light will be on - all others will be off.

You can find this and much more at:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm
[/url]
 
Thanks :thumbsup: So basically on a boat my size all lights bow and stern shall be on while underway, and the stern (all around) anchor light while anchored.

:smt017 I think my switch may be wired backwards... I'll have to go check.
 
Use extreme caution when boating at night. You've heard the "Watch out for the other guy" cliché before. It applies here x 10. :thumbsup:
 
I agree with Richard 100 percent. Plus if you boat on a lake with all kinds of lights on the shoreline, sometimes it's easy to "miss" the lights on other boats if you are approaching them from the rear because that little white running light just blends right in with the other shore lights.

Run slowly at night while underway and be extra observant and carefull.
 
Mike,

Please, please, PLEASE

Follow this link and take the course.

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/

After reading the material and taking the practice quizzes you can take the exam online for $10. After passing the exam send a copy to your insurance provider. Most will discount the cost of your boat insurance to offset the cost of the exam or more.

I’ve been gone from this board for a bit. When reading this thread at first thought ‘why not just answer Mike’s question’ but upon reflection now my question is ‘if he does not know this, what other things does he not know’

If your switch is wired as you say it is, it’s wired wrong. Should be wired anchor only or both bow and anchor lights. Never bow only.

The lights are set up so when others see them they know if your vessel is moving and if moving, what direction. At the linked website they have night simulators to practice.

Sorry for my poor writing skills. I think possibly my above writing could be taken in a negative way. Please know its is not intended.

Oh, also, please get a Free inspection. One place you can go to sigh up for this free inspection is here: http://safetyseal.net/
 
Presentation said:
Mike,

Please, please, PLEASE

Follow this link and take the course.

http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/

After reading the material and taking the practice quizzes you can take the exam online for $10. After passing the exam send a copy to your insurance provider. Most will discount the cost of your boat insurance to offset the cost of the exam or more.

I’ve been gone from this board for a bit. When reading this thread at first thought ‘why not just answer Mike’s question’ but upon reflection now my question is ‘if he does not know this, what other things does he not know’

If your switch is wired as you say it is, it’s wired wrong. Should be wired anchor only or both bow and anchor lights. Never bow only.

The lights are set up so when others see them they know if your vessel is moving and if moving, what direction. At the linked website they have night simulators to practice.

Sorry for my poor writing skills. I think possibly my above writing could be taken in a negative way. Please know its is not intended.

Oh, also, please get a Free inspection. One place you can go to sigh up for this free inspection is here: http://safetyseal.net/
Good Post Pres!
BTW- I always run with the Anchor light and Nav Lights at night
 
Your Anchor Light is part of your navigation lights. BTW, if not experienced at night, it can be very difficult to see other boats.
 
Thanks Guys, but I have already taken that course before and it is great!! I would recommend it to all.

As for the boating at night thing. I agree 100% and boat at night pretty often when fishing early AM and getting out to our duck hunting spots before sunrise and I always use both bow and stern but have been told differently.

The Christmas thing here is pretty cool though... Even for amateurs since it is a boat parade and everyone is required to decorate their boat with lights so everyone can see you. All the dock/home owners along the St. Johns River decorate their homes and docks. Here in Florida it usually stays warm enough that everyone can still be comfortable.
 
Anchor Light

I learned the hard way about "Anchor Lights" While, I knew the law and how stupid I was to not do it, costed me 125 dollars! :smt021 I was anchored off a small island one night without any lights on (didn't want to run the battery down) only to wake up to the wildlife officers asking me all sorts of questions and writing me a ticket at 3 in the morning. Never made that silly mistake again. Looking back, yes it was stupid knowing the law and not biding by it! :smt101
 
Living on a lake, we see many violations consisting of boats running with "improper lighting characteristics." There have been two bad accidents on our lake in the past 30 years. Alcohol, speed and lighting were factors in one of them and the judgement reflected each violation. Given the speeds of boats today, it's a wonder there have not been more problems.
 
I'm leaving the marina late one night, almost past the no wake zone, staying close to the right side as I see another boat approaching. It keeps edging my way and not slowing so i finally had to give way or be run onto the pilings and pass by it on the left. My goodness they even honked their horn at me! :smt013 Well you probably guessed it, a bunch of kids partying. I just shook my head when they yelled 'hey dude' and yelled back they needed to read up on their signals and boat lights. Of course they just laffed. :smt013 I fortunatley found the owner of the boat the next day ( he's only early 20's and new boat... and I confirmed he was'nt on board ) (dumass)( sorry) and had a lil talk with him. At least he's a bit more aware now. :wink:

I dunno.. it's really pretty simple to me. Just take the time to read, learn and obey. ok..rant over..I feel better...heh
 
Larry&Leisa said:
I'm leaving the marina late one night, almost past the no wake zone, staying close to the right side as I see another boat approaching. It keeps edging my way and not slowing so i finally had to give way or be run onto the pilings and pass by it on the left. My goodness they even honked their horn at me! :smt013 Well you probably guessed it, a bunch of kids partying. I just shook my head when they yelled 'hey dude' and yelled back they needed to read up on their signals and boat lights. Of course they just laffed. :smt013 I fortunatley found the owner of the boat the next day ( he's only early 20's and new boat... and I confirmed he was'nt on board ) (dumass)( sorry) and had a lil talk with him. At least he's a bit more aware now. :wink:

I dunno.. it's really pretty simple to me. Just take the time to read, learn and obey. ok..rant over..I feel better...heh
The fuse was blown on the idiot light which is mounted to his forehead. :lol:
 

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