"Duncan Heenan" wrote in message
...

"News f2s" wrote in message
...
Whilst traveling on the ferry from Cowes to Southampton after
the firwork display, I noted the frequent use of flashing
lights on vessels under way. Two categories stood out:

a. Fast ferries (not aircushion vehicles) used a rotating
yellow strobe above their masthead lights.

b. Several RIBS, mostly around 6m - 10m length, displayed
rotating blue strobe lights below their masthead lights.

So far, I was only aware that flashing lights were permitted
for air cushion vehicles (quite sensible, because they don't
necessarily travel in the direction they're pointing - so other
navigators need to be aware of this when interpreting their
navigation lights), and for purse seine fishing vessels working
in close proximity. Otherwise, colregs seem to forbid the use
of flashing lights.

Does anyone know when or by what instrument the colregs were
amended for the Solent?
--
JimB
http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/
Describing some Greek and Spanish cruising areas
I don't know by what instrument (if any) the colregs were
amended for the Solent, but the fast ferries have had yellow
flashing lights for many years, and the police have used blue
flashing lights for many years too.


Two of the RIBs were definitely not police vessels. One seemed to
be running a taxi service around craft at anchor, the other had a
charter company website URL (sorry, forgot it! Age . . .).

Of course, fast ferries in the Solent (up until whenever) were air
cushion vehicles. I can't see why the new non-aircushion vehicles
should have a yellow strobe though. Broadly, because of their
speed, they have to plan routes to avoid all other craft - making
them chronically 'give way' vessels almost irrespective of aspect.
Slow craft therefore hardly need to notice these vehicles. If one
of them is coming at you. there's b' all you can do about it!
--
JimB
http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/
Describing some Greek and Spanish cruising areas