Anchor Light - can you see it from the deck?
Posted by icanhazkarma17@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 28 comments
Our ASA instructor claims that the anchor light at the masthead, in this case, a solar powered anchor light, cannot be seen from the deck of the boat. Is this true? Does anyone have any experience with this? We anchored out last night, no moon, very dark. We could not see the anchor light at the top of the mast. To me, logically, a light that's designed to be seen 2 or 3 miles away should be able to be seen from the deck of the boat. Am I missing something?
Larakin@reddit
I cannot see my light directly. But I can confirm it is on and see glow from it on other instruments. At the top of the mast.
I can only see the light itself once away from the boat a little bit.
Gone2SeaOnACat@reddit
Same. If it's in the middle at the top of the mast it is going to be tough to see line-of-sight from the deck. That said, with a windex or other instrument on the mast it's usually easy enough to tell it's lit when it's dark. Dusk though can be tough. Mine is LED and to make it simple I would just leave it on all the time. Then no worrying about whether it's on or not.
Foolserrand376@reddit
Hopefully not while under sail or power.
vanatteveldt@reddit
At least under Dutch law, if you're <20m you're allowed to use a white all-round light (like the anchor light) instead of the separate stern light and masthead light.
When sailing of course you should not have the masthead light so you shouldn't have the anchor light on. I actually switch between a tricolor light in the mast (when sailing) and the top light plus navigation lights on the bow (when motoring) and only the top light (when anchoring)
(Artikel 3.13 Binnenvaartpolitiereglement 1.b.3, for the curious)
hypotheticalfroglet@reddit
Same.
ozamia@reddit
A masthead anchor light is one of the worst locations for it, second only to having it at the bottom of the keel.
A good anchor light should be at or close to typical eye level of most boat skippers, 2-3 m above the water.
Make sure it's visible from all angles. A hanging one is an option, so that it sways a bit and never stays blocked from a specific direction. Or use more than one. And turn on other lights on the deck to illuminate the boat a bit better.
12B88M@reddit
The masthead is the least obstructed location and if there are any swells, it ensures the light remains visible from a distance.
I do believe having other lights at or just above deck level are a good idea, but the masthead light is still necessary.
ozamia@reddit
Boats and ships at a distance aren't the danger. You can't be hit from miles away. You get hit at zero distance. You want maximum visibility for anything that is very close.
12B88M@reddit
Let's say you're coming into an anchorage and there are 5 boats there already. You need to know their approximate positions long before you get to them. If you're in a small power boat, you can easily adjust your speed and heading very quickly. If you're in a 50' sailboat, it's not quite so easy, so prior planning is required.
THAT is why a masthead light is necessary.
Once you're within a quarter mile, deck lights are more effective.
Claiming that masthead lights are redundant is just ignorant
ozamia@reddit
If you're going too fast to stop or turn inside the distance you can see ahead of you, then you're going too fast and have no business being at the helm.
But I never said that having a masthead light is bad. What's bad is having just that and relying on it. Extra lights don't hurt, but the masthead light is of little to no use for anyone, at any point.
uthyrbendragon@reddit
The masthead anchor light is a modern ‘innovation’ promulgated by all in one light manufacturers and boat builders.
Historically, the anchor light, like the day markers that no-one uses but are still in ColRegs should be hung in the fore triangle for good visibility.
svhelloworld@reddit
There is no spot on just about any sailboat that's eye level for boat skippers that wouldn't be significantly obscured from many angles. Which means you have to have several anchor lights at that height to ensure they are visible from all approaches. Which means you no longer have an anchor light (single white light visible 360deg).
MissingGravitas@reddit
Strictly speaking the "default" rule for an anchor light is two lights, one forward and aloft, the other lower and near the stern. Running only a single light is a special exception for "small" boats.
Hanging a lantern from the end of the boom or a backstay is perfectly compliant and a reasonable approach (as is using the deck light, but that may be intrusive if you're trying to sleep).
TauIs2Pi@reddit
Try an LED strip light around the mast, just under the spreaders.
uthyrbendragon@reddit
This is correct answer.
roger_cw@reddit
A lot of comments are saying that they too can't see the light at the top of the mast. Neither can I but I can certainly see the effects of the light shining on the instruments. If it's not reflecting off the instruments then I doubt it's on, assuming there are instruments up there.
Tikka2023@reddit
I have to go right to the bow or stern to get a glimpse of mine
zebostoneleigh@reddit
Sure. It’s very common to not see the anchor light from the deck.
GrandpaSteve4562@reddit
Get in your dingy and take a look.
nylondragon64@reddit
I have to go to the bow to see the glow of my anchor light. Best thing is mask sure it works before you leave dock.
Funny thing is marietime law contradicts itself. Anchor light should be unobstructed view 360 degrees for a mile. No higher than 20 feet above deck. How can you do this on a sailboat?
coastalwebdev@reddit
What was the instructors point: that the light wasn’t a valid anchor light because it can’t be seen from the deck, or that it is valid despite not being able to see it from the deck?
Many sailboats have a working/deck light you turn on to illuminate the foredeck for working at night. I have a Solar/usb camping lantern that I hang up. It’s great and saves quite a bit of my house battery juice for other things.
gomets1969@reddit
Echoing what others have said. Cannot see mine unless I walk down the dock a bit.
FarAwaySailor@reddit
It's obscured by the masthead
LaChevreDeReddit@reddit
I added a plate to avoid receiving the light on the deck for practical night vision efficiency. My Windex have reflective tape on it that is designed to reflect that light so I can prove it's on.
Idk about the law but that's what makes sens to me .
2airishuman@reddit
Depends. Some of the modern LED lights with good optics are really hard to see from deck. In fog or mist there should be a halo. It may make sense to row out in the dinghy and check if not sure, or call a neighboring boat in the anchorage on the VHF. Or just hang a rechargeable lantern in the foretriangle to be sure.
Full-Photo5829@reddit
My masthead anchor light is not visible to me from the deck because, as others have said, it emits light mostly sideways for long range visibility. Others have pointed out that a masthead anchor light is of little help in making people aware of your presence when they are close-by. For this reason, when I am at anchor I attach a few of these to my lifeline stanchions and they really do the job:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/solar-led-landscape-flood-light-up-to-90-lumens-3000k
oudcedar@reddit
Anchor lights at the masthead are a manufacturers convenience but utterly useful for anything smaller than a ship. There is no point in all round visibility 2 nautical miles away when things that hit you are by definition a lot closer. A boat coming into a bay of anchored boats is not helped at all by a bunch of lights high up against the coastline - they give no indication of boat size or distance when seen from the approaching boat.
Always far better to have lights on the deck or bow or stern or all 3 visible from a couple of hundred yards away at eye level even if each individual light is partly obscured from one angle or another, provided there is always one or two lights visible.
flyingron@reddit
The light is designed to be seen by other boats so most of it's light is going out sideways. The major issue is the mast is in the way. I can see it if I walk way out on the bow and look up.