I have a 1973 18’ I/O. The boat has a two sided white position light. In the “anchor” selection, both sides light up. In the other selection, only the forward lights up. I have found information pertaining to sailboats which discusses masthead lights verses anchor lights. It would seem that the same rules would apply but…all of the newer boats have a 360 degree white light. So I am unsure what the correct procedure is.
I think on some older boats, there are lighting requirements that are grandfathered but my neighbor who just got his 6 pack said that lights are not grandfathered. Of course another licensed captain with a 1940s Chris Craft with a forward facing white light (not a docking light) says he is required to run that light at night and has the paperwork to prove it (it is a larger boat if that matters).
At the end of the day, what position is legal to run on my vessel and what position will minimize the chances of a vessel “safety inspection”?
I think on some older boats, there are lighting requirements that are grandfathered but my neighbor who just got his 6 pack said that lights are not grandfathered. Of course another licensed captain with a 1940s Chris Craft with a forward facing white light (not a docking light) says he is required to run that light at night and has the paperwork to prove it (it is a larger boat if that matters).
At the end of the day, what position is legal to run on my vessel and what position will minimize the chances of a vessel “safety inspection”?