Nighttime Navigation Questions

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy

Depends on the size of your boat. Over a certain length ( can’t remember what it is) you have a stern light that is visible 180 degrees to the stern when under way and can also have an anchor light visible 360 degrees when at anchor. Under that length you have a single white light visible 360 degrees when under way with your running lights and also used as an anchor light, without your running lights, when at anchor.

With regards to Wolfeboro fire works: if the boats were not “at anchor” they are required to keep the running lights on with the stern light. It is a violation to just show your white light (without running red & green) when you are not at anchor.


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Does "at anchor" mean just with an anchor set or when stationary? I'd always thought that port/starboard lights meant "in motion."

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[Cal Coon]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Does "at anchor" mean just with an anchor set or when stationary? I'd always thought that port/starboard lights meant "in motion."

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If you can't see port or starboard lights, you SHOULD see a white light. That white light is going to be the stern light, (in which case you are approaching from the rear), OR, it's going to be the anchor light. It will be hard to tell if it is a stern light, or an anchor light from a distance, but as you get closer you should be able to determine what light it is so you know whether it is under way, or at anchor, and then you can determine how you are going to maneuver around it if it is anchored, or, if you are going faster than it, how you are going to pass it. If you are not anchored, but just "sitting still", with, or without the motor running, you should have the navigation lights on because you will be drifting no matter how strong, or insignificant the current is. A boat will never stay in one place unless it is anchored. Anchor light should only be on when anchored. One thing to look for (to help determine a stern light from an anchor light from a distance) is if the light is illuminating the whole boat, in which case that would be an anchor light, where a stern light may only light up the stern of the boat. The Real Big Guy may have a point when it comes to the length of a boat that determines if the stern and anchor light is the same light, or two separate lights. I'm not sure about that either. All I know is that every boat I have owned with lights, they have always had a separate stern, and anchor light, and switch for each one, and they are never on at the same time. My stern light has always been on the same switch as my bow lights, and goes on and off with them. Hope this helps to clarify. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the way I have always understood navigation/anchor lights.

[bigdog]

Nothing to add to this Thread but speaking of navigational lights, I had
had an interesting experience I'll share.

When I was a novice boater 30+ years ago, we were boating at night at the 'ocean', (Narraganzett R.I).,and is was pretty dark, clear but dark ! Moving along at a good clip about 20 mph, and I noticed two white lights on the horizon, in front of me about a 'football field' apart. That said, I started to drive 'between' the two white lights.

As I got about 200 ft near that center point, I noticed what I was actually looking at was 300' barge, that had white lights at each end, bow and stern, and I was driving right between them. HOLY SH*T that was a close call. I was able to change course in time, but really gave us a scare.

After we got back to the dock and I changed my shorts I had learned a very valuable lesson at driving at night, always be aware of your surroundings 360 degrees, and what you can't see that may be out there especially on the water at night.

[The Real BigGuy]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Does "at anchor" mean just with an anchor set or when stationary? I'd always thought that port/starboard lights meant "in motion."

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At anchor means anchor set. If you are floating you are in motion. It may be slow motion, but you are moving.


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[XCR-700]

Having boated on Winnipesaukee since diapers, I will tell you navigating at night on a moonless night is tough. GPS is a game changer for sure, but in some ways increases your risk level as people who are not good boaters just found a crutch that allows them to do something they otherwise would not attempt.

Best advice go SLOW.

[camp guy]

XCR-700 is very right about both how dark it is on a moonless night, and how an inexperienced boater may feel "it's okay, I have GPS" and do something unsafe.

I want to add that for those who stay boating longer into the season, past mid-September, pay attention to the fact that shore lighting configurations change as people leave the area to return to where ever. Porch lights are out, boathouse lights are out, so if you were used to navigating at night using shore lighting as a navigational aid, please realize these changes.

[TiltonBB]

You make an excellent point. Before or after the summer season changes what you see on shore. Houses that are normally lit up are dark.

About 20 years ago, on a fall night after a trip to Meredith with my daughter we headed home on a very dark night. All went well even after we went under the Governors Island bridge. But when we were where I knew our house was it was impossible to tell because all the lights in my house, and neighbors houses, were off.

I knew we were close but it could have been 5 houses in either direction so I went up and down about 300 feet offshore trying to spot something familiar. My daughter finally spotted the small red power on light on the panel for a hot tub we have in front of the house. That is when you know it is really dark. Thank God for kids and their eyesight! I never would have seen that.

[Grove84]

First we are all human and easily forget , two summers ago my family and I stayed out till dark but before hand checked all our navigation lights and our hand held spot light. We valet at PBM and while coming out of the Weirs channel we heard a boat, but no nav lights . We decided to float for a few minutes to see if we could locate it with out the spot light . My daughter saw the dashboard lights on the boat we were searching for. I followed from behind at a safe slow distance and followed him all the way to PBM where it was someone we know. As he turned around to talk with me he realized he hadn’t put his stern light in. I didn’t have to say anything as he realized on his own how dangerous it was . My point is , if your leaving the dock in the dark take the time to safety check your nav lights. So someone isn’t following your dashboard lights at night to stay safe

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by Grove84

First we are all human and easily forget , two summers ago my family and I stayed out till dark but before hand checked all our navigation lights and our hand held spot light. We valet at PBM and while coming out of the Weirs channel we heard a boat, but no nav lights . We decided to float for a few minutes to see if we could locate it with out the spot light . My daughter saw the dashboard lights on the boat we were searching for. I followed from behind at a safe slow distance and followed him all the way to PBM where it was someone we know. As he turned around to talk with me he realized he hadn’t put his stern light in. I didn’t have to say anything as he realized on his own how dangerous it was . My point is , if your leaving the dock in the dark take the time to safety check your nav lights. So someone isn’t following your dashboard lights at night to stay safe

OUTSTANDING share!

Hope to see you at PBM, great folks there!!!