Night time/low visibility navigation light requirements

[Pat Anderson]

Help me out here...EVERY boat around here runs with both the red and green side lights ("running" lights) and the all-around white light light ("anchor" light) when it is dark...I don't have my Power Squadron course book or Chapman's here in Fall City, they are at Birch Bay, but are you saying that after getting under way, you are supposed to extinguish the all-around white light?

[snip] Also saw a picture of a boat with both running lights and an anchor light on at the same time. Hopefully it was just as she was getting underway. Must have been the case.
charlie

 

[Alyssa Jean]

When anchored you turn off the port and starboard running lights and only leave on the mast head light. When you get underway you turn on both mast head and running. You never should be underway with just running lights and no mast head as an overtaking boat or a boat past 112 degrees from your bow would not be able to see you in the dark.

 

[Captains Cat]

David, you are correct. I misspoke. If the boat was anchored, the red/green should have been off. Underway, both should be shown. Pretty good synopsis here.

http://www.usawatercraft.com/uscg/page2228.htm#navlights

Charlie

 

[Levity]

Here's one for the maritime legal scholars.
The scenario is; after sunset , not anchored, engine not running and due to no wind and slack tide not making way; essentially adrift but not drifting. Is the condition of the vessel "under way but not under command"? The definition for a vessel not under command according to Charlie Wing author of "One Minute guide to the Nautical Rules of the Road" is a vessel "due to accident, breakdown or other circumstances, unable to alter course or speed in order to avoid collision." Is a vessel with its engine in voluntary shut down mode unable to alter course and thereby not under command? If so, the vessel should show "two all round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen."
Or is the condition of the vessel "under way but not making way?" If so only the standard running and masthead lights are required.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[thataway]

The answer is that the standard running rights are required. That is red and green, plus foreward and aft steaming lights (often combined in the 360 degree light in small craft.

This comes up all of the time in vessels which are fishing with the engine shut down. The anchor light or shape, is designated only when the vessel is securely anchored.

The not undercommand would not be a signal which is shown by vessels such as a C Dory. Remember that each of these light signals also has a day shape associated.