Overnight?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Showem

Are there any places on the lake where you can tie up for the night? Are you allowed to drop anchor anywhere on the lake ? Thanks in advance

This is what I read before getting my "New Hampshire Safe Boater Education Certificate":

Overnight Anchoring & Mooring Permits

Overnight Anchoring

It is against the law to anchor your boat overnight on any inland surface waters of the State of New Hampshire. Overnight is defined as “the period of time between the termination of daylight in the evening to the earliest dawn of the next morning.”

A houseboat is defined as a “ship, boat, raft, float, catamaran, or marine craft of any description which has sleeping and toilet facilities, regardless of whether such facilities are of a permanent or temporary nature.” Occupied or unoccupied houseboats may be beached or grounded, or tied to the shore of any of the inland surface waters of the state for an overnight period, or any part of an overnight period, only when on or at a location owned, leased, or permitted by the owner. Also, the owner, lessee, or person with permission of the owner must give written notice of this fact promptly to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Rusty

This is what I read before getting my "New Hampshire Safe Boater Education Certificate":

Overnight Anchoring & Mooring Permits

Overnight Anchoring

It is against the law to anchor your boat overnight on any inland surface waters of the State of New Hampshire. Overnight is defined as “the period of time between the termination of daylight in the evening to the earliest dawn of the next morning.”

A houseboat is defined as a “ship, boat, raft, float, catamaran, or marine craft of any description which has sleeping and toilet facilities, regardless of whether such facilities are of a permanent or temporary nature.” Occupied or unoccupied houseboats may be beached or grounded, or tied to the shore of any of the inland surface waters of the state for an overnight period, or any part of an overnight period, only when on or at a location owned, leased, or permitted by the owner. Also, the owner, lessee, or person with permission of the owner must give written notice of this fact promptly to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Rusty, the definition seems out of whack to me. What about people out looking at fireworks, etc. Why do we need an anchor light switch?

I know it is not your definition, just thought it to be poorly worded.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Rusty, the definition seems out of whack to me. What about people out looking at fireworks, etc. Why do we need an anchor light switch?

I know it is not your definition, just thought it to be poorly worded.

My reading is that you can not be anchored on inland waters for all the overnight hours from the last rays of sun at sunset to the first rays at dawn in the morning inclusive.

If it is "dark" at 920 PM and doesn't start to get "508" AM, it would be illegal to anchor for all those hours between 920 and 508. The key is the word overnight. JMHO

You need the anchor light on when at anchor during the hours of darkness.(actually, I have had the MP tell me to please put on all my nav lights while watching fireworks, better visibility to other boats when they go to leave.) We will go out into the broads to watch the sunset, drifting with the breeze if there is any, and just have the anchor light on. Start the engine, turn the nav lights on.