"Jeff" wrote
| If no one would bump into it, you don't need the lights. If someone
| might bump into it, you do need light. Yup - that's sound logical.

I was hoping for a more serious answer. Here's why... Here's rule 30 (or one version of it)

Rule 30: Anchored Vessels and Vessels Aground
(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;

(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.

(b) A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights
prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.

(c) A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100 meters and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights
to illuminate her decks.

(d) A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule and in addition, where they can best
be seen;

(i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line;

(ii) three balls in a vertical line.

(e) A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or where other vessels
normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the *shape* prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.


OK, That's one example. It talks only about the shape. It doesn't talk about the light. And it doesn't say anything about
anchorages.
Now, here's another example:


(e) A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor, not in or near a narrow channel, fairway *or anchorage*, or where
vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the *lights or shape* prescribed in paragraph (a) and (b) of this Rule.

This one says lights or shapes. And it says anchorage. Which one is the right one and when was it revised? BTW this one is
from: "Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 : Summary and comments mainly oriented to
recreational sailing." ----By Captain P. WOININ

Here's Capt. Woinin's comment about (e): He says "Which saves the batteries of the small boats left unattended. What about the
others?"

It sounds to me like he's saying under 7 meters doesn't have to show an anchor light unless in an area where other vessels
navigate.
Another question is what's an anchorage. If a boat or two are anchored somewhere is it an anchorage? Or does it have to be one of
the anchorages
listed on a chart or something. It seems to me if anywhere a boat or two anchored is an anchorage then rule(e) (but just the one
that mentions anchorage)
means nothing at all. If by anchoring you make an anchorage then there's no reason to have rule(e). In order to get to the spot you
anchored you
had to navigate. So other boats could navigate too. Duh! Do you see what I'm asking about

I'm confused. :-(

Cheers,
Ellen