The arc of the lights and color allows you to determine the direction a boat is moving. How good are your boat’s lights? You should test them to check your nighttime visibility, or you might land yourself in hot water with the Coast Guard.
Whether on a trailer or at the marina, switch on your lights and see how well they can be seen. Walk away from the boat or row away, if you are at anchor or at a mooring, and see how visible the lights are as you move further away. How easy are they to see against the background of lights onshore?
Does your stern light shine dead astern over the required 135º arc or does it shine to one side or up or down? Can it be seen from the required 2 miles and why is that important? As an example, let’s say that your stern lights can only be seen for 1/2 mile. You are underway at 8 knots and a large ship is approaching at 15 knots. The ship is only 4 minutes away from a collision with you. By the time the ship “might” see you, identify the light, and decide on how to move, it is too late. A ship traveling at 15 knots may take miles to stop.
Look at the stern lights again, as you move from the stern toward the bow, does the stern light “disappear” as the sidelight “appears”? The stern light should disappear and sidelight appear at 22.5º abaft the beam. If you don’t see the green starboard sidelight or the red port side light when the stern light disappears there is a problem with the arc of one or all these lights. This means that if another boat were approaching you at the angle where no lights are seen there is an increased risk of collision.
If both the stern lights and side lights are seen brightly at the same time you still have a problem. A boat approaching won’t know whether they are overtaking or crossing and whether they should give-way or stand-on.
You should also check to make sure that your masthead light disappears at the same time each side lights disappear and they both disappear when the stern light appears.
Check your sidelights from dead ahead. You should see both red and green. However, by moving toward one side just 1-3º you should then see only one light. If you still see two lights, an approaching boat won’t be able to tell which direction you’re are going.
It is very important to be seen from a distance but also for an approaching boat to be able to determine your direction of travel.
When boating at night remember the following: “When two lights you see ahead, turn your helm and show your red”.
Outdoors, I’m in my element, especially in the water. I know the importance of being geared up for anything. I do the deep digital dive, researching gear, boats and knowhow and love keeping my readership at the helm of their passions.
Categories : nauticalknowhow
Thanks for writing this post. I can either place them on the exterior or interior for decorations. Placing them on the exterior side is helpful when I go fishing and indulging in other night activities in the water.
We love the lights! We put lights from Seaponer on my Jon boat right above the water line and use them for night fishing! The amount of brightness it offers is an assurance of my boat’s being seen clearly during the night. At the same time, the LED lights don’t consume too much energy, leading to a life span of up to 50,000 hours.
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• 5 years, 9 months ago
With all of its risks and rewards, boating during the day can be complicated enough, so it follows that boating at night is an even more complex task, as the darkness adds to all the factors present in brighter hours. Anchor lights, the lights that are visible when a boat is anchored at night, are a key factor in making nighttime boating both easier and safer.
If you only take your boat to a designated mooring and never plan on anchoring, then it is not necessary for you to use an anchor light. However, unexpected things always happen on the ocean, so no matter what your plan is, it is best to be prepared for nearly any possible situation.
The term “anchor light” refers only to the state the boat is in when it is being used, and has nothing to do with the physical anchor itself. If you have spent some time on the water, you have undoubtedly seen at least one — many of them look like a light on a stick, to put it plainly. On sailboats, anchor lights are placed at the top of the mast, while anchor lights on a motorboat are placed near the bow or stern. Lights for this purpose are increasingly in the form of LED lights, which have less of a drain on the battery. If you are concerned about battery drain, another option is to purchase lights that are charged with solar energy so you can power them up during the day and turn them on at night. Make sure that the charge will last through the night, though!
As with anything that involves the safety of boaters, there are regulations surrounding what types of anchor lights are to be used and how they are to be used.
The types and numbers of anchor lights that you must display vary depending on the type of boat that you have. Anchor lights must be all-around white lights, which means that the bulb cannot at any point be restricted. This means that the key to placing an anchor light is to put it where it is visible for 360 degrees. Anchor lights must be placed higher than any other navigational lights, which is the reason that many are placed on a steel pole.
Vessels under 50 meters must display one white all-around anchor light on the highest point of the boat, which must be visible for two miles when visibility is clear. If your vessel is over 100 meters, you must display the light on the masthead or other highest point, in addition to other lights that illuminate your decks so that the shape and size of your boat can be clearly discerned.
Sailboats with masthead anchor lights may also want to consider an additional cockpit light as a safety measure, as boats that are low to the water may on occasion not have a line of visibility to the masthead and as a result could come into contact with your boat.
Sometimes having an anchor light turned on many seem like an unnecessary waste of power, or if you are in a designated anchorage even perhaps silly. Think of it instead as a liability issue — if anyone crashes into your boat during the night, whether it is a dinghy or a supertanker, you are at fault if you do not have an anchor light. Boats are expensive enough to begin with; you do not want to risk having to pay for damages if someone else caused them.
In some specially designated anchorages, it is not necessary to have an anchor light. These anchorages have been determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security and are not just anchorages maintained by a particular town or club, so never assume that an anchorage will not require you to have an anchor light.
Whether or not the anchorage you are using requires you to have an anchor light, it is always better to be safe, particularly in an environment as untamed as the ocean. No matter what size or type of boat you have, you should always have an anchor light to use if necessary. As with many other components of your boat, regularly check to make sure the anchor light is approved by the Coast Guard, so you can be sure you are getting the best product.
May 20, 2022 10 min read
If you're new to boating, you may have heard the term "anchor light" and wondered what it means. Simply put, an anchor light is a type of navigation light that is used to indicate the position of a stationary vessel at anchor. It is required by law in most countries and is an important safety feature for boaters who anchor at night.
Understanding anchor lights is an essential part of boating safety. Navigation lights are used to signal the position and movement of a vessel to other boats, and anchor lights are specifically designed to signal that a vessel is anchored and not moving. There are different types of navigation lights, but the anchor light is the only one that is required to be displayed when a boat is at anchor.
An anchor light is a type of light that is used to signal the location of a vessel at anchor. It is typically a white light that is mounted at the top of the vessel's mast. The purpose of the anchor light is to make the vessel visible to other vessels in the vicinity, especially at night.
The anchor light is required by law when a vessel is at anchor between sunset and sunrise. The light must be visible from all directions and must be of sufficient intensity to be seen by other vessels at a distance of at least two nautical miles.
The all-round white light is the most common type of anchor light. It is a white light that shines in all directions. The all-round white light is required for vessels less than 50 meters in length, while vessels over 50 meters in length must also display an additional masthead light.
In summary, the anchor light is a vital safety feature that helps to prevent collisions between vessels at anchor. The all-round white light is the most common type of anchor light, and it is required by law for vessels at anchor between sunset and sunrise.
Navigation lights come in different types , each serving a specific purpose on a vessel. In this section, we will explore two types of navigation lights: sidelights and stern lights.
Sidelights are navigation lights that are mounted on the port and starboard sides of a vessel. These lights are typically red and green, respectively, and are used to signal the direction in which the vessel is traveling. The red light is on the port side, and the green light is on the starboard side.
When viewed from the front of the vessel, the red light should be on the left, and the green light should be on the right. Sidelights are essential when navigating in low visibility conditions, such as at night or in foggy weather.
Stern lights are navigation lights that are mounted on the stern or back of a vessel. These lights are typically white and are used to signal the presence of a vessel to other vessels. Stern lights are also used to indicate the direction in which a vessel is traveling.
When viewed from the front of the vessel, the stern light should be in the center. Stern lights are crucial when navigating in low visibility conditions, such as at night or in foggy weather.
In conclusion, understanding the different types of navigation lights is essential for safe and effective navigation on a vessel. Sidelights and stern lights are just two examples of the many types of navigation lights available, each playing a critical role in ensuring the safety of all those on board.
When it comes to anchor lights, visibility is key. Your anchor light must be visible from all directions, including dead ahead, and must be an unbroken light. This means that the light must be visible at all times and cannot be obstructed by anything on your vessel.
To ensure maximum visibility, it is recommended to mount your anchor light as high as possible on your vessel. This will allow the light to be seen from a greater distance and reduce the risk of it being obstructed by anything on your vessel.
It is also important to choose a light with a brightness that is appropriate for the size of your vessel. A light that is too dim may not be visible from a sufficient distance, while a light that is too bright may be blinding to other vessels.
Finally, it is important to regularly check and maintain your anchor light to ensure that it is functioning properly and is visible at all times. This includes checking the bulb, wiring, and any other components that may affect the light's visibility.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your anchor light is visible and compliant with regulations, helping to keep you and other vessels safe while at anchor.
When it comes to powerboats , the type of anchor light used depends on the size of the vessel. Small power boats, such as those under 12 meters, typically use a single all-around white light. This light must be visible from 360 degrees and must be placed at the highest point on the boat. Larger power boats, on the other hand, may require multiple anchor lights, including a masthead light and a stern light. These lights are typically required for boats that are over 20 meters in length.
Sailboats also require anchor lights, but the type of light used depends on whether the boat is under sail or at anchor. When a sailboat is under sail, it is required to display a combination of lights that include a red and green sidelight and a white stern light. When the sailboat is at anchor, it is required to display an all-around white light that is visible from 360 degrees.
Sailing vessels that are over 50 meters in length may require additional anchor lights, such as a masthead light and a stern light. These lights are typically required for larger vessels to ensure that they are visible to other boats in the area.
Overall, regardless of the type of vessel, it is important to ensure that the anchor lights are working properly and are visible to other boats in the area. This is especially important at night or in low visibility conditions where it may be difficult to see other boats.
Inland rules.
If you are operating a vessel on inland waters, it is important to know the regulations and requirements for anchor lights. The Inland Rules specify that any vessel at anchor must display a white light visible for 360 degrees around the vessel. This light must be placed where it can best be seen and must be lit from sunset to sunrise.
If you are operating a vessel on international waters, you must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). Rule 30 of the COLREGS specifies that any vessel at anchor must display a white light visible for 360 degrees around the vessel. This light must be placed where it can best be seen and must be lit from sunset to sunrise.
According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), all vessels operating on United States waters must comply with the requirements for anchor lights. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) enforces these regulations and can issue fines for non-compliance.
In summary, if you are operating a vessel at anchor, it is important to understand the regulations and requirements for anchor lights. Whether you are on inland waters or international waters, you must comply with the appropriate rules and regulations. By displaying a white light visible for 360 degrees around your vessel, you can help ensure the safety of yourself and others on the water.
When it comes to anchor lights, LED lights are the most popular option due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. They are also durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions. It is important to choose LED lights that are specifically designed for marine use to ensure they meet safety standards and regulations.
Anchor lights are typically powered by a boat's battery. It is important to ensure that the battery is in good condition and has enough power to last throughout the night. To conserve power, it is recommended to use a low-wattage LED light and to turn off unnecessary electronics. It is also important to regularly check the wiring and connections to ensure they are secure and not corroded.
Overall, anchor lights are an essential safety feature for boats, especially when anchored in busy or low visibility areas. Proper installation, maintenance, and testing are crucial to ensure they function properly when needed. By choosing LED lights and ensuring the battery and wiring are in good condition, you can have peace of mind knowing your anchor light will reliably guide you through the night.
If you're having issues with your anchor light , there are several things you can try to troubleshoot the problem. Here are some common issues and solutions:
If your anchor light is blocked by something, it won't be visible to other boats and could be a safety hazard. Check to make sure there is nothing obstructing the light, such as a sail or other equipment. If the obstruction is unavoidable, you may need to move the light to a different location.
If your anchor light is not turning on, it may be disabled. Check to make sure the light is properly connected and that the wiring is not damaged. If the wiring is damaged, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
If your anchor light is turned on but not working, there may be an issue with the bulb or the wiring. Check to make sure the bulb is securely in place and that the wiring is not damaged. If the bulb is burned out, it will need to be replaced.
If your anchor light is taking a long time to turn on, there may be an issue with the power source or the wiring. Check to make sure the power source is strong enough to support the light and that the wiring is not damaged. If the power source is weak, you may need to use a different power source or install a new battery.
If you're still having issues with your anchor light, consult the manufacturer's reference ID or user manual for further troubleshooting steps. You may also want to consult with a professional electrician or boating expert for assistance.
When it comes to boating, safety should always be your top priority. An anchor light is an important safety feature that helps other boaters see you in low-light conditions. By law, if your boat is anchored or moored between sunset and sunrise, you must display an anchor light.
Not only does an anchor light help prevent collisions, it also signals to other boaters that your vessel is restricted in its maneuverability. This is especially important in narrow waterways or areas with heavy boat traffic.
In addition, reduced visibility due to weather conditions can make it difficult for other boaters to see your vessel. An anchor light can help you avoid collisions by making your boat more visible.
When displaying an anchor light, it's important to ensure that it is visible from all directions. The light should be placed at the highest point on your boat and should not be obstructed by any equipment or other objects.
By following these safety considerations, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable boating experience for yourself and other boaters on the water.
If you want to learn more about anchor lights, there are many resources available to you. Here are a few that you may find helpful:
Overall, there are many resources available to help you learn more about anchor lights and how to use them effectively. Whether you are a boater or a web developer, there is something for everyone.
What is the purpose of an anchor light on a boat.
An anchor light is a white light that is used to help other boats identify your boat when it is anchored at night. It is required by law to be displayed between sunset and sunrise, and it should be visible from all directions.
The height requirements for an anchor light depend on the length of your boat. For boats less than 50 feet, the light should be at least 3.3 feet above the highest point of the boat. For boats over 50 feet, the light should be at least 6.6 feet above the highest point of the boat.
An anchor light is used when a boat is at anchor, while a masthead light is used when a boat is underway. An anchor light is a white light that is visible from all directions, while a masthead light is a green and red light that is visible only from the front and back of the boat.
Yes, you are required by law to have an anchor light on your boat if you are anchoring at night. It is important to have an anchor light to help prevent collisions with other boats.
The best types of anchor lights for boats are LED lights, as they are energy-efficient and have a long lifespan. They are also bright and visible from a long distance.
Emergency anchor lights are required to be displayed when a boat is in distress and needs assistance. The light should be visible from all directions and should be a white light.
Testers take a look at six bulbs and lanterns from the marine led navigation light market..
When it comes to navigation lights aboard sailboats, brighter is definitely better. And our latest tests of LED nav lights proved that more light can be made with less energy. In fact, we found that replacing a conventional incandescent bulb with a light-emitting diode (LED) of similar luminosity can result in up to a 90-percent savings in energy consumed over a given period of time.
Practical Sailor’ s previous evaluations of navigation lights (September 2005 and Jan. 15, 2002) were tests of tri-color
Photos by Ralph Naranjo
masthead lights, sidelights, sternlights, and all-around white lights.
For this review, we narrowed the test field and focused solely on LED tri-color navigation lights (sidelights and a stern light combined in a single fixture) because of the under-sail connotation. They are most often used when the engine is off and the alternator(s) is providing no energy boost to the battery bank. This is when miserly current consumption is most appreciated.
LED lights come in all sizes and shapes, and it has been their monumental improvement in efficiency that has made the technology so appealing to energy-constrained sailors.
In the past, the most popular means of meeting the U.S. Coast Guard’s navigation light requirements for boats under 65 feet (see “Nav Light Requirements,” below) was to use an Aqua Signal Series 40 tri-color lamp housing with its long-filament incandescent bulb. Its 25-watt energy appetite not only puts a significant load on the house battery bank, but it requires a heavier-gauge wire be run up the spar in order to avoid an energy-robbing voltage drop. Swapping out the incandescent bulb for an LED drops power consumption significantly and yields just as bright of a light. During a 10-hour night sail, this results in reducing current consumption from about 20 amp-hours down to a scan’t 2 amp-hours. This savings adds up, and the extra cost of the LED bulb or light will pay for itself in longevity and energy savings.
LED Evolution
Since the late 1960s, LEDs have followed a trend that amounts to almost a doubling of light output every 36 months. (If Wall Street had done the same, a $100 investment made in 1969 would today be worth over $500,000.)
Skipping all the esoteric physics and getting down to basics leaves us with one important concept to grasp: By passing a current through certain semiconductors (materials with only a few electron holes), the electron flow instigates photon release—or more simply put, light energy is emitted. Modern LEDs comprise an anode (+) and cathode (-) that meet in a tiny cup-like reflector that contains an “n” and a “p” layer of semiconductor material.
In order to achieve white or colored light, phosphor coatings are used. Another significant breakthrough was the prism-like lens and epoxy-sealed cavity that bundles up many of these semiconductors. The resulting “bulb” reflects and refracts the light energy produced, delivering a color-controlled beam. The plasma-like brilliance of a single-source light creates lens and reflector challenges that each light manufacturer has to deal
with. Some makers shape a single beam with lens elements while others use an array of multiple smaller LEDs.
What We Tested
Each of the six LED tri-color masthead lights we tested for this report took a different approach to implementing the LED technology. The test field included three LED lanterns and three LED bulbs.
From Orca Green Marine (OGM), maker of the top choice among tri-colors in the 2005 Practical Sailor test, we reviewed the latest USCG 2-nautical-mile approved tri-color. The other tested lanterns were self-contained tri-color/anchor light combos from Signal Mate and Lopolight.
Among the bulbs we tested was the Lunasea, a sealed, waterproof LED lamp comprising four green, six red, and six white LEDs. From the LED Shop in Queensland, Australia, we tested the Bay15D white LED bulb with 15 diodes. The supplier recommends its use as a low-consumption (2 watts vs. 25 watts) replacement bulb for the Aqua Signal 40 incandescent. The second sealed bulb we tested was from Dr. LED, and it is third-party certified to U.S. Coast Guard standards.
LED LANTERNS
Boat owners who don’t already have a masthead tri-color light, or who plan to replace an old one—hardware and all—would do well to consider an LED lantern.
Orca Green Marine
OGM Inc.’s USCG-approved (third-party tested) tri-color/anchor light (LXTA-12v) squeezes an amazing amount of light from a minimal amount of current (0.3 amps @ 12 volts-DC).
The well-sealed, nicely machined housing and large lenses keep the LEDs in direct line of sight, regardless of heel or the viewer’s proximity. Hard, anodized endcaps and Lexan outer lens elements form a tough, water-tight seal. Its internal
electronic components are potted in a dielectric sealant, and the lantern comes with a well-sealed pigtail connector.
The manufacturer claims a 50,000-hour full brightness LED life and offers a two-year warranty on the $340 lantern.
Testers’ main concern that arose during testing was that the OGM lantern produced the most RFI of all the gear we tested. Moving the handheld VHF radio to within 14 inches of the light obliterated radio reception.
Bottom line: The OGM lantern is the least expensive in its category, and it proved to be a well-made light. However, its RFI test results held it back.
This expensive, well-designed, and carefully manufactured LED tri-color/anchor light offers a multiple diode approach to illuminating each sector of coverage. The lamp’s geometry focuses individual LEDs in narrower beams and uses 36 to cover each colored zone and 44 in the white zone. In addition to adding redundancy with circuitry that allows individual diodes to fail without taking out the entire cluster, the design eliminated the hotspot inherent in tri-color lights that use single-point light sources for each sector.
This light offers a green that’s really green (see “Shades of Green,” page 14), a dead-ahead aspect with minimal overlap, and a crisp transition to the red zone. The Lopolight also sports a rugged, well-sealed housing that’s fully submersible.
Its current consumption is a tiny bit more than the most energy efficient in this group, but the value of having the light continue to work even if one or more diodes give up the ghost is a big plus.
At $689, the Lopolight was the most expensive product of all those we tested, but it also had the least RFI. It comes with a five-year warranty.
Bottom line: If quality construction and superior performance are your priorities—and cost isn’t a concern—the Lopolight will fit the bill. It gets the nod as Practical Sailor’s Best Choice.
Signal Mate
Signal Mate products are designed and manufactured by Maryland-based Kimberlite Assemblers Inc. The company sent us a pre-production version of its 2-nautical-mile tri-color lantern for testing.
The searing bright lantern scored high marks for energy efficiency. Its 0.3 amp draw at 12 volts DC compared to some of the more expensive lanterns.
The Signal Mate incorporates a finned alloy base that functions
as a heat sink and houses the driver and diodes within a polycarbonate cylindrical tube. Its endcaps and electronics are sealed and bedded in Dow Tough Gel.
Its cylindrical shape makes it well suited for masthead mounting. The light output did not appear hampered at all by the unit’s comparably small lenses, even at varying angles of heel.
The design, with a single light source per sector, created a white hotspot, but from 50 to 100 yards away, it was undetectable. Hotspots, a bright white spot that occurs when a single-point white light source illuminates a colored faceted lens, are common to this design.
Just before going to press with this review, Signal Mate sent us its new production version of this lamp. Like the pre-production unit, the LED circuitry is enclosed in a polycarbonate cylinder, but it now incorporates O-ring seals and 3M 5200 adhesive to better cope with thermal expansion and contraction. Heat dissipation and RFI suppression have been improved, and the overall fit and finish have been raised a notch. The light is certified to USCG and American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)-16 standards.
Bottom line: The $359 Signal Mate tri-color is a cost-effective option with a good five-year warranty, and the new version boasts some necessary improvements.
The new breed of LED bulbs can add efficiency to those old Aqua Signal, Hella, and Perko incandescent nav lights that have been serving boats for decades. These plug-and-play conversions from incandescent to much more efficient LED technology are capturing market share, and the degree of this success has inspired Aqua Signal to come out with its own single-diode LED light and a new line of LED products. For those with older lamps such as the venerable Aqua Signal 40 tri-color, the following three bulb options represent good examples of what’s available in the realm of LED conversions.
The Dr. LED Polar Star 40 replacement bulb for the Aqua Signal 40 lantern comes with an interesting note. According to the Seattle firm, “a white LED should not be used behind colored lenses.” And to that end, its LED replacement bulb has three distinct color-enhanced sectors indigenous to the bulb itself. These are not stand-alone red, green, and white sectors, but instead are color-enhancing segments that ensure that red is red and green is a bright and deep shade of green. This reduced the bulb’s hotspot.
The bulb is designed in the U.S., made in China, and meets the 2-nautical-mile visibility, chromaticity, and other demands of the ABYC/USCG standards. It was the lowest current-consuming light in our test (0.1 amps), and though not the
brightest, it was visible and color recognizable at the 2-mile range.
Bottom line: Middle of the pack price-wise, this $50 current miser gets a Practical Sailor Budget Buy among LED bulbs for conversions.
Lunasea Lights
This well-sealed, wedge shaped, waterproof bulb uses separate LEDs for each color zone. The red sector held six LEDs, and the green four. Light-meter readings indicated that the red sector was a bit brighter than the green sector during tests. At distances beyond 100 yards, the discrepancy was not noticeable visually. Both segments could be seen at the 2-nautical-mile range.
This bulb seemed to only need a clear housing because of the excellent chromaticity match, but without being placed in a tri-lens housing, it had a rather large overlap of red and green. We noted that the red and green (bow-on aspect) covered an arc of more than 20 degrees. But by placing the tri-color lens over the bulb, the overlap was brought into an acceptable 10-degree range, creating a bright, very distinguishable tri-color light.
The Lunasea bulb was the only one in its group with the ability to keep shining even if one of the multiple diodes failed.
Bottom line: One of the brightest LEDs tested, the Lunasea light gets the Practical Sailor Recommended pick among bulbs for its top performance and lifetime warranty, the only test product to offer one.
Distributed by the Australia-based LED Shop, the white BAY-15D bulb we tested was a cluster of 15 diodes in pentagonal array of three vertical diodes per segment. This bright-white light makes a superb anchor light, and the LED Shop also recommends it as a replacement bulb for the Aqua Signal Series 40 tri-color light.
In our testing, it provided a bright red and green sector, but its colors were not as saturated as the color-specific bulbs by Dr. LED and Lunasea.
Testers’ biggest concern was the fact the bulb isn’t properly sealed. This does afford better heat dissipation, a key factor in LED longevity, but we prefer sealed bulbs.
However, the BAY-15D’s $27 price tag, its brightness and
minimal RFI make it a bargain as an anchor light bulb.
Bottom line: Although inexpensive and a good performer, the BAY-15D was held back by its lack of a good seal.
Which version of the OGM was tested for this review?
It would be helpful if you added the part numbers of the specific product that you’re testing. For example, when I went to the Lopolight website, I couldn’t find the product you tested. I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t test any trilights with the strobe or flash function. Perhaps I’ll keep my 20-year old Hella.
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Hurricane lamp on the boom, or electric beacon at the masthead? Duncan Kent gives advice on the best place to hang your anchor light
Every time I go off for a week, or even a long weekend, I spend as much time as possible at anchor. There’s something about being in charge of your own destiny that culminates in a night at anchor. After a good day’s sail I often end up entering an anchorage after dark, picking my way through a forest of unlit masts and almost imperceptible hull silhouettes. Most boats are poorly lit – if at all – and the few that are lit have an all-round white light at the top of their mast, which boatbuilders these days like to call an anchor light. The masthead anchor light came about to make life easy for builders. Wires have to go up to mast for a tricolour (de rigueur for today’s small to medium-size cruisers), so why not take one more up for an all-round white ‘anchor’ light? In the Colregs, Rule 30(b) simply states that for a vessel under 50m LOA ‘an all-round white light should be placed where best seen’. Traditionally, this always meant hanging it in the foretriangle. An anchor light at the masthead was never a consideration until a couple of decades ago. Anyway, the purpose of the anchor light is not to satisfy regulations, but to enable your vessel to be seen by others so that they can take avoiding action. Being keen to light up my rig or decks to an incoming vessel, rather than show a light 40ft up my mast where it often gets lost in amongst the jumble of shore lights surrounding many anchorages, I often hang mine from the stern end of the boom, raising it to ensure it is visible above the sprayhood. This also serves as a useful cockpit light when eating al fresco on warm summer evenings. However, there is a point to the old custom of hanging it in the foretriangle: it gives some indication of where your anchor cable is laid out, so that others can avoid snagging it when they drop their own hook. This is particularly useful in crowded anchorages, where swinging room can be tight.
Currently Unavailable
This super efficient light can be used as an anchor light or as a general utility/security light. When hung from the boom or mast, the double-fresnel lens acts as an anchor light. It also has a clear lens on top, which can be used for lighting the cockpit or general area lighting.
An integral dusk-to-dawn photocell automatically shuts the lamp off at dawn, and then turns it back on when it gets dark. It works great when the boat is unattended, or for folks that don't want to worry about remembering to attend to their anchor light each night.
It has a fully sealed double o-ring lens and waterproof wire gland. It also has 15' of waterproof cable terminated by a 12V cigarette lighter plug with replaceable fuse. Kit also includes an adjustable hanger and a fuse holder for hard-wired applications. It can be wired direct, or can plug into any convenient cigarette lighter socket.
Comes standard with our low-draw 12-LED bulb for those wanting the brightest light possible while still drawing virtually no power (~0.1A).
Visibility exceeds 2nm.
OTHER GREAT USES ONBOARD Because of clear top, these make great cockpit dining lights, or general utility lights, if hung down from the boom or the T-Top using the included hanger bracket. Another great idea is to buy an inexpensive woven basket from the craft store ($0.25), and thread the wire through the center to make a shade. Makes for a cute cockpit dining light, and then is instantly converted to an eye-level anchor light by just pushing the shade up the wire and over the boom.
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Utility led anchor light.
Posted by John Cooper on 9th Apr 2024
Works great. Had two years ago and really happy they are still available.
Posted by Richard Reysack on 23rd Oct 2022
Great boat light and uses no amps at all. Only thing I would change is a better mounting bracket.
Posted by Russ Bailas on 4th Jul 2022
I use this light plugged in to a 12 volt socket in my anchor locker, wired to the panel anchor light switch. I use a small halyard to get it up about 10 feet above the bow foredeck. When returning to boat at night, we know exactly where our boat is. It turns on at dusk and off at dawn... saves battery power and has an LED lamp inside. I recommend it. Russ
Posted by jeff on 19th Feb 2021
bought this Marine Beam anchor light. Utility LED Anchor Light w/ Dusk to Dawn Photocell (FX-ML-01). after afew months water was inside the unit. the company said to return it (at my expense). the replacement came and within a month or so, it also leaks.
COMMENTS
Taking all the anchor lights out on the editor's boat late one June evening, we picked up a buoy in Calshot Bay and hung the lights in the foretriangle of the yacht, around 2.5m above deck level. At first we tried lighting five of them at once, to see if we could compare them together, but 150m away the light started to merge into one bright ...
The Inland Rules have specific requirements as to anchor lights. That rule is quoted below, as is the USCG site reference. A 360-degree white all-around masthead light with two-mile visibility normally fulfills this requirement for most pleasure boats, but familiarize yourself with and follow the rule. Wire gauge, length of wiring, connections ...
When a sailboat is at anchor, a white light must be illuminated at the top of the mast. When motoring, a sailboat is considered a powerboat and must use a masthead (steaming) light even if the sails are up. In addition to these lights, large power-driven vessels may need to carry a second white masthead light. If two masthead lights are used ...
On any vessel, navigation lights have a specific color, (white, red, green, yellow, blue), arc of illumination, range of visibility, and location, as required by law and regulations. For the purposes of this course, we will concentrate on pleasure boats under 65 feet in length. Knowledge of navigation lights is important to a small-boat skipper ...
As such a power boat, and by extension all sailboats, MUST, without question show one green light on the starboard bow and one red light on the port bow and one all around white light or lights while operating in reduced visibility. These lights should shine at all 360 degrees of visibility with the bow lights shining at an angle of dead ahead ...
Power boats less than 20 meters shall exhibit navigation lights as shown in Figure 1. (Note: 2 masthead lights are optional for vessels under 50 meters. Vessels over 50 meters will display two masthead lights.) Figure 2. Vessels of less than 12 meters in length, may show the lights in either Figure 1 or Figure 2.
An anchor light, on the other hand, with a beam focused into 6 degrees vertically and 360 degrees horizontally, can produce as much as 2 candela per lumen if the optics are just right, although the actual output is typically closer to 1 candela per lumen. The 2-mile visibility requirement requires 4.3 candela.
The basic rule is that sidelights and a stern light are required. Permissible variations to this rule appear below. Sailboats less than 20m (65.7') can substitute a tricolor light for separate sidelights and stern light—or a bi-color light and a stern light may be substituted. Sailboats less than 7m (23') shall, if practicable, exhibit lights ...
This means that the key to placing an anchor light is to put it where it is visible for 360 degrees. Anchor lights must be placed higher than any other navigational lights, which is the reason that many are placed on a steel pole. Vessels under 50 meters must display one white all-around anchor light on the highest point of the boat, which must ...
An anchor light is a type of light that is used to signal the location of a vessel at anchor. It is typically a white light that is mounted at the top of the vessel's mast. The purpose of the anchor light is to make the vessel visible to other vessels in the vicinity, especially at night. The anchor light is required by law when a vessel is at ...
An economical 2NM LED All-Around Anchor Light fixture navigation light intended to be mounted on the top of the mast on larger sailboats. It replaces the Aqua Signal Series 40 type anchor lights, as it is of similar size and height. Prefitted with a user-replaceable Marinebeam constant-current 10-30VDC BAY15d high-output LED bulb and 8" of ...
The test field included three LED lanterns and three LED bulbs. From Orca Green Marine (OGM), maker of the top choice among tri-colors in the 2005 Practical Sailor test, we reviewed the latest USCG 2-nautical-mile approved tri-color. The other tested lanterns were self-contained tri-color/anchor light combos from Signal Mate and Lopolight.
4317A S Sheridan Rd , Tulsa OK 74145-1120. Keep your products running from day-one with our perfromance guarantee. home. categories. marine electrical. lighting. exterior lighting. navigation lights. Nothing beats a day on the water but a pleasant night cruise is a close contender.
Series 5500 Waketower LED All-Round Navigation Light. NaviLED 360 Pro LED All-Round Anchor Navigation Light, Black Housing, 2 Nautical Miles Visibility. 2010 Fold-Down Anchor Light, 2 Nautical Miles Visibility. NaviLED 360 Pro LED All-Round Anchor Navigation Light, White Housing, 2 Nautical Miles Visibility.
IP67 USCG Certified 3NM Waterproof LED Anchor Navigation Light with Photocell. Toggle menu (843) 885-8644 ... This light is a perfect solution for our boat's electrical system. Our boat uses lithium rechargeables, so its voltage is unusual at about 28.4 volts DC. This light runs flawlessly on 12 volts, 24 volts, and our system at 28.4.
In the Colregs, Rule 30 (b) simply states that for a vessel under 50m LOA 'an all-round white light should be placed where best seen'. Traditionally, this always meant hanging it in the foretriangle. An anchor light at the masthead was never a consideration until a couple of decades ago. Anyway, the purpose of the anchor light is not to ...
An anchor light just has to be a visible all around white light. On a sailboat, they are typically at the masthead. In the past, they were simply kerosene lamps hung in the rigging. The mast light breaker would normally supply downward-facing lights on the underside of the lower spreaders, or some other location in the mast where they can ...
LED navigation and anchor lights USCG approved. Toggle menu (843) 885-8644 Gift Certificate; ... Marinebeam LED running lights are USCG certified for sail or power driven vessels up to 20M (65') - suitable for OEM use... $69.95. View Details. SALE. Quick view. sku: N2 ...
SETYPARY Anchor Light Stern Light for Boats LED, Boat Navigation Lights 3 Nautical Mile Visibility, Waterproof IP67 White Fold Down Pontoon Boat Lights for Marine, Jon Boat, Small Boat (12~24V, 6") 4.6 out of 5 stars 32
Smart Switching LED Tri-Color / Anchor / SOS Strobe Light, aqua signal, sailboat, hella, mast, perko. Toggle menu ... Tri-colors are used for enhanced safety by greatly enhancing visibility of your boat when sailing offshore at night. The have Red and Green (port and starboard) 112.5° sectors facing forward, on the boats center-line, and a 135 ...
Stern Lights for Boats, 12 inch 180° Fold Down Boat Anchor Light IP67 Boat Navigation Lights 360° White LED Boat Lights for Pontoon, Jon Boat, Bimini Top, Fishing Boat, Yacht (Black) 43. 100+ bought in past month. $2099. Buy 2, save 3%. FREE delivery Mon, Sep 9 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon. Or fastest delivery Sat, Sep 7.
Utility LED Anchor Light. Posted by Russ Bailas on 4th Jul 2022 I use this light plugged in to a 12 volt socket in my anchor locker, wired to the panel anchor light switch. I use a small halyard to get it up about 10 feet above the bow foredeck. When returning to boat at night, we know exactly where our boat is.
Stern Lights for Boats, 12 inch 180° Fold Down Boat Anchor Light IP67 Boat Navigation Lights 360° White LED Boat Lights for Pontoon, Jon Boat, Bimini Top, Fishing Boat, Yacht (Black) 43. 100+ bought in past month. $2099. Buy 2, save 3%. FREE delivery Mon, Sep 9 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon. Or fastest delivery Sat, Sep 7.