Mondays 08/03/2008 Question and boating safety Tip ANSWERED!

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:24 am

Hey everyone,
I've been IM'ing EE on the side and we have come up with an idea. Every Monday I will come in and post a boating safety tip and a I will post a boating question. The intent is not to preach but to help remind eveyone to be safe. Please do not just "look up" the answer to the question but answer with your own current knowledge! The idea is to challenge your knowledge not your internet skills! LOL!!

I'd like to keep it fun and simple. If the questions are to easy, I can make them harder and if to hard, I'll make them simpler! Please let us know what you think!!

08/03/2009
SAFTEY TIP
With a sailboat you are not only challenge with watching all other boaters but you must also look UP!! At the ramp, look for power lines prior to stepping the mast, tree branches, building overhangs! Watch your shrouds when towing towards the water, they can snag on eves of buildings, branches, etc! On the water, watch for powerlines, bridges, trees, docks, and yes, even airplanes! Always look out for what that big stick might hit!

Question for today
You are making 3 knots at night under sail in your Chrysler 26, enjoying the warm breeze and the quiet lapping of water at the bow. Motor off and cool iced tea in your hand. Your better half is relaxing with you . . . .

Exactly what lighting configuration is required for this situation?

Scott

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:29 am

So, do we answer right here, or send the answer via pm?

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:54 am

Don't have to post an answer at all - just sit tight pondering your answer and Captain Scott can give us the answer in due course. Then you can congratulate yourself, or banish yourself from the command in shame. As the case may be.

Also am working on a couple refinements if you guys are receptive. A "poll" section where Scott can do multiple choice and all can vote. Also a seperate section of the board for these fun facts.

BTW, Scott - based on your scenario I say "soft mood lighting in the cabin" is the correct answer ?

EE

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:09 pm

Or if you are feeling exotic about your mood lighting the red dome map light is nice too.

Thanks
Alan (adding my $.02)

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:12 pm

Well folks, feel free to to reply here if you know the answer however I will not give the answer until Wednesday to allow others to chime in.

Yes mood lighting sounds appropriate but not in the Coast Guards eyes! LOL!

Scott

PS Mood lighting can be accomplished by warm 12v DC LED Rope lights.
We use them a lot below as indirect lighting. To add to the mood I recently bought a medium sized oil brass anchor light. That works extremely well too!

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:38 am

On the subject of mood lighting, how about these?

http://candlelantern.com/

They're available in polished brass for a nautical look.

Leeway · Post by **Leeway** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:26 am

How bout a nice oil lamp to set the mood?

But seriously, I'm not totally sure of the answer because I do absolutely no night sailing, or boating for that matter, but based on taking a boater's safety class many moons ago I think the answer is...

White mast light viewable from all directions with both red and green (port and starboard) running lights since the boat is moving.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:02 am

I have also done no night sailing but I think the masthead light is only if under power.

Under sail it would be the red and green bow lights and white stern light... I think.

trev · Post by **trev** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:20 am

I'll go with tgentry on the red and green bow and white stern lights.

The all around mast light would be when you are at anchor.

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:23 am

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:54 am

ANSWER:

There are a couple of key factors here in the question.
1: The boat is 26 feet long,
2: The boat is sailing and the motor is not running. Not even to charge batteries.
3: It is after dark.
4: it is a recreational vehicle.

Forgive my summerized version of the law but here it goes:

Recreational vehicles are required to display nav lights between sunset and sunrise AND in periods of reduced visiblity.

Sailing vessals less than 65 feet and equal to or greater than 23 feet are required to display port and starboard red and green lights and a stern white light facing AFT!!!

Please note the law precludes displaying a forward facing white light!!
So, you 26'ers do NOT run your steaming light or mast light or all around white light when sailing after sunset!!

However if your motor is running for ANY reason, propulsion or not, you must run your steaming light or in affect display an all around white light similar to a power boat! Reason? At that point you are considered a power boat. Even if the sails are full and drawing.

The only exclusion listed is if you have a set of red over green all around lights at the top of the mast. You may run those ALONG with the red, green bow and white stern!

Ever wonder why sailboats generally have a stern light low on the transom and blocked from forward view and an aditional steaming light on the mast?? This is why!!

Captain Scott

PS: I have intentionally left the rules for a 22'er off this because of the very specific question. You may want to check them out. You may be surprised!!

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:18 am

WooHoo, how many points do I get for getting it correct.

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:50 am

All of them!

Congrats!
Scott

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:37 am

On safety and navigation lights, especially for power boat captians, here is a tragic story:
http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/justice.asp

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:27 am

From what I can tell on that case and please note I likely don't know all the facts nor am I an expert

The prosecuter AND the police officer driving the power boat not only should be prosecuted but should be held liable for the damages to all the folks on the sailboat including the poor soul that was at the helm.

That kind of case just chaps my bottom.

In the last video the prosecuter was slammed for mishandling the case and now admits he does not have time to persue the case and may drop all charges!!

WOW! He should be held liable for damages to the sailor.

Scott

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:46 am

Scott,

The trial started this week. The motorboat driver is testifying today. He was going at least 50 mph on a moonless night.

Darin

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:03 pm

For the latest on the Dinius-Perdock case you can go here:

http://www.record-bee.com/

For an expert's opinion:

http://dig.abclocal.go.com/kgo/PDF/dinius-report.pdf

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 4:49 am

I didnt have to think on this one ..when I pulled the original switch to tested my lights they all came on including the mast light. ....not that I knew if that was the requiremnt but its what will be on when I night sail.