Anchor light - what/where is it?

[Realdon]

Okay, on a 1982 375-V Ranger I have a switch up at the very front of the boat that is labeled "courtesy light/anchor light" with a center position being "off" (I think). There are absolutely no wires going to this switch so I assume that I don't have an anchor light and it is currently not connected to the courtesy light. I can easily wire it to the courtesy light but what the heck is an anchor light?

Is an anchor light different than the front red/green light and the back white light or are they all one in the same?

Enlightenment (pun intended) would be appreciated.

Don

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

An anchor light is a white light that is visible "all round" or visible in a 360 degree arc. It is displayed at night when the boat is anchored.

On small boats (less than 12 meters long) it can also be used in conjunction with the sidelights (red & green) while underway at night or in fog.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/ReviewPages/BoatUSF/Project/info2c.htm

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

An anchor light is a white light that is visible "all round" or visible in a 360 degree arc. It is displayed at night when the boat is anchored.

On small boats (less than 12 meters long) it can also be used in conjunction with the sidelights (red & green) while underway at night or in fog.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/ReviewPages/BoatUSF/Project/info2c.htm

Gonna expand on this a little bit....... Yes, at ANCHOR, after sun set, you should have ONLY the white anchor light illuminated. If you are underway,you need BOTH the anchor [white/ stern ] light, AND the front[ I mean foreward] ... Red-Green NAVIGATION lights illuminated. Theory is this- In the dark, if another boater sees ONLY the white anchor lt illum, that tells him that boat is not moving. If he/she sees a white light w a red one in front of it. That tells him that boat is crossing from right to left, Red lt [ port side] means stop to him, you have the right of way. Just like on the road. at an uncontroled intersection
If the other boater sees a white light w a green in front , that tells him he has the right of way. That tells him that boat is crossing from left to right.
Follow me? If you are driving and see red , you should yield , he has the right of way. You are looking at his port side . He is coming from the rt. He will be looking at your stbd side and seeing green....

R U picking up what I m putting down ?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

The anchor light is the "back white light" you mentioned. It's also referred to as an "all around light" because of the requirement that it be visible from any direction at a given distance (distance requirement varies, all around requirement doesn't). Your anchor and navigation (red/green) lights must be functional if you plan to be on the water after sunset.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

So as usual NO ONE answered his actual question. "Where is it?"

Usually it is stowed somewhere in the boat, either in the back in the engine compartment or in one of the side pockets. It is usually a long (2-3 ft.) aluminum pole with a white light on top of it. It plugs into a fitting on the stern usually on the starboard side. a small chromed fitting that swings open to insert the pole in which has electrical plug on the bottom.

 

[Realdon]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

Wow, both prompt and super answers....what more can I ask for! Now I can wire the anchor side of the switch to my back white light and the courtesy side to my interior courtesy light.

I have a switch at the console that I call "running lights" which turns on both the red/green front and also the back white light. I also have a switch at the console that turns on the interior courtesy light. Now with the addition of the front switch wired for only the back light and the courtesy light I should be all set.

Thanks again,

Don

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

Wow, both prompt and super answers....what more can I ask for! Now I can wire the anchor side of the switch to my back white light and the courtesy side to my interior courtesy light.

I have a switch at the console that I call "running lights" which turns on both the red/green front and also the back white light. I also have a switch at the console that turns on the interior courtesy light. Now with the addition of the front switch wired for only the back light and the courtesy light I should be all set.

Thanks again,

Don

You bet BTW running and nav lights are the same thing

 

[blifsey]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

So as usual NO ONE answered his actual question. "Where is it?"

Your opinion I guess but I see his actual question as "what/where is it?" so, my opinion, the "what" part was answered very well!

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

At the risk of sounding like I am splitting hairs, I would like to comment that there is no such term as "right of way" used in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. There are only "stand on" vessels and "give way" vessels.

The reason I feel compelled to point this out is that I feel that the term "right of way" implies that the "stand on" vessel can proceed on it's way unhindered and without regard to the burdened vessel or "give way" vessel.

This is not the case, the "stand on" vessel is required to take avoided action "When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision".

See rule 17

http://www.stormy.ca/marine/colregs/

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

At the risk of sounding like I am splitting hairs, I would like to comment that there is no such term as "right of way" used in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. There are only "stand on" vessels and "give way" vessels.

The reason I feel compelled to point this out is that I feel that the term "right of way" implies that the "stand on" vessel can proceed on it's way unhindered and without regard to the burdened vessel or "give way" vessel.

This is not the case, the "stand on" vessel is required to take avoided action "When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision".

See rule 17

http://www.stormy.ca/marine/colregs/

You know what ? I dont think you are splitting hairs at all!You have made a valid and important clarification/correction/addition too what i said. I didnt take size of vessel into consideration. You are exactly right A tug and barge isnt going to give way to a bunch of beer drinking yahoos in a 17 Ft runabout.. My explainision is the most basic explaination on a mn lake [for instance] when its a bunch of fishn boats chasing walleyes coming into the public launch. I didnt cover they vast array of situations.. Thanks for your input Skipper !!! I happily stand corrected and thx for the reminder !

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

I find it odd that they would wire the anchor light to the courtesy light switch. Normally the Nav and Anchor lights are on the same three position switch (Nav/off/Anchor) and the courtesy lights are on a separate switch.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

Sounds like one of the prior owners did their own rewire job.

 

[Realdon]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

I find it odd that they would wire the anchor light to the courtesy light switch. Normally the Nav and Anchor lights are on the same three position switch (Nav/off/Anchor) and the courtesy lights are on a separate switch.

I also found it odd but attached is an image of the switch panel at the bow. The "up/down" is for the motor trim, the on/off is for the front aerator pump, and the switch in question speaks for itself. It sure looks original to me (note the Ranger logo).

Don

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

So what does the switch on the console look like?

 

[Beefer]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

Going to take the 'when what light needs to be on' lesson a little further...

What light(s) need to be on when drifting at night?

 

[Realdon]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

So what does the switch on the console look like?

The console/dash was a total mess when I purchased the boat and I am sure that it was not the same as original. One toggle switch was lights/off/horn. I ripped out that dash, laser cut and engraved a new one and installed it. Unfortunately at that time I had not heard of an anchor light so I made what you see in the attachment. I did it so that I could have the nav lights on with or without the instrument lights simply because I had the switch to do it. In short, I don't have a clue as to what the original console looked like but I do still think that the switches at the bow are original.

Don

 

[badbird]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

Going to take the 'when what light needs to be on' lesson a little further...

What light(s) need to be on when drifting at night?

If you are drifting you are considered "under way" so nav lights and all around lights would be required

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

If you are drifting you are considered "under way" so nav lights and all around lights would be required

I would have to agree... Heres another fly in the ointment. wind spins ya around. Now you going backwards. Stern light leading. Spin again Other captain gonna wonder W T F ??? DAMN KIDS !!!

 

[scanman]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

I'm gonna go with a disco ball on my stern to confuse yall further!

 

[Biged007]

Re: Anchor light - what/where is it?

By no means is this meant to be snipe, But you really need to take a safe boaters course this question and a couple of dozen others are covered and to be honest as the fact that most states it is now mandatory. but all that aside it truly is for your safety and the safety of others.