Let's spin the light question the other direction....

[Dragonsm]

After reading the post about not having your anchor light on at night while driving, it got me to thinking about my own boat.

I have yet to do any night fishing in my boat and really the only time I have used my lights was when I was coming off the lake, but I got to thinking about my own current light situation. My navigation and anchor lights were all wired into one switch from when I first got my boat a few years ago and I guess I really always thought that was acceptable. Either they are all on or all off. What is the ruling on this situation? It's a fixed navigation light so I can't just pop it in and out. It's easy enough to wire in a 3 way for the lights......the last post just got me inquiring about this on it.

Thanks!

[Fishin4Life]

I read that a few times and really didn't understand what your question was. Yes its ok to have the nav lights on at the same time as the anchor lights...is that your question?

[deepportage01]

I think what he saying is do you have to have the back light on when you are driving your boat or just the front lights

[BobT]

This is from the 2006 Minnesota boating guide.

Quote:

---

Visibility Rules.

White lights must be visible

for two miles on a dark, clear night. Combination

or side lights must be visible for one

mile. Combination or side lights must shine red

to port (left side) and green to starboard (right

side). They must be attached so the light shows

from directly ahead to 22.5¢ª to the rear of the

beam (midpoint of the boat) on the respective

side. Lights may be detachable and need only

be displayed from sunset to sunrise.

When underway, motorboats less than 40 feet

long display:

(1) A 225¢ª combination red and green bow

(front) light.

(2) A 360¢ª white stern (rear) light. When at

anchor, only the 360¢ª white light is

necessary.

---

Bob

[Valv]

This link to the US Coast Guard witll give you all the information you need, about any issue regarding boating:

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/rotr_online.htm

There is also a test which I strongly suggest everybody to take it.

[Dragonsm]

Actually, my question is....is it legal or illegal having your navigation lights on while being anchored.....

I understand that anchor lights are necessary all the time, navigation lights under power, but since mine were all wired into one switch, they are either all on or all off.

Thanks

[nofishfisherman]

From the way I read the regs the back white always needs to be on and the front red and green lights need to be on only when moving. However, if the lights are all on the same switch then your red and green will need to be on even when anchored just becuase you have no way to turn them off indepedently. I doubt there is an issue with your front lights being on when not moving since most boats I have been in have one switch for both lights.

[Fishin4Life]

Oh. I always have mine on at all times. As I see everyone else doing. I guess I would say it is fine to have them all on at all times. More the better IMO

[BobT]

The rule does not prohibit illuminating the bow lights at times but does require the bow lights be illuminated while under way and the anchor light be illuminated at all times.

You are in compliance. Enjoy the night fishing.

Bob

[Valv]

Dragonsnm, if you looked up the regulations you would have found the answer.

Your boat light switch has 3 positions, Nav (navigation) OFF and Anc (anchor) and in which case it leaves only the front (bow) light on. All manufacturers of boat have it this way, unless somebody alters the switch or modifies the wiring.

[wayne123]

I would think that when anchored or drifting (in other words not under power) you would want the running lights off. This way other boats that are under power know you are anchored/drifting and by the rules of the road will need to yeild to you. I realize generally having the running light on when anchored is not an issue but I think it is the way things are suppose to work.

[TimR]

If you are drifting, the red/green lights need to be on. On a motorized vessel, the only time that a white light alone is to be used, is while at anchor. A drifting boat is not stationary.

Tim

Quote:

---

I would think that when anchored or drifting (in other words not under power) you would want the running lights off. This way other boats that are under power know you are anchored/drifting and by the rules of the road will need to yeild to you. I realize generally having the running light on when anchored is not an issue but I think it is the way things are suppose to work.

---

[wayne123]

You are correct in a motorized boat when drifting both lights should be on. Thanks for the correction.

[BobT]

valv,

That may be true for any newly manufactured boats but I wonder if some of the older boats may have only had a 2-position switch or perhaps it was not part of the original design.

In either case, it is perfectly okay to leave all the lights on at all times. In fact, it's probably safer to do so. We are required to have all of them on while under way but are allowed to extinguish the bow lights while anchored.

Bob

[Northlander]

Safest way is with them all on. Even when anchored you want others to know how you sit in the water compared to them so they dont misjudge if your facing at them, away from them or crossed to them. I also carry a flashlight so if people get to close to me I turn it on and off in front of them so it catches their eyes better. Dont point it in their face but in front of them.

If that dont work give them the horn.

[SteveWilson]

You can have them all on while anchored but are only required to have the white one on. If you're drifting you need them all on.