As OTN pointed out, the phrase "lights or shapes" should be in the
text. I checked 33USC, otherwise known as "the law," and it looks
like the CG site is garbled.

The law is that boats anchored need a light. There are a few
exceptions. Designated "special anchorages" are one category, this
include many of the large mooring fields you find in New England
harbors. Small boats completely out of the way are another group.
This is no exception for being on a mooring (as Katy claimed) or not
being aboard.

However, if you're anchored or moored such that a neighbor could bump
into it should have a light. This regulation was completely ignored
in the past because of the impossibility of providing electricity.
However, now you can get an LED controlled by a solar switch and
powered by a small battery. There is a growing trend to require such
anchor lights. Frankly, it makes sense for areas that might have any
traffic.

You should check the make sure you're not in a special anchorage. The
chart would show it, and the Coast Pilot for your area should list all
anchorages. Also, you could do a bit or research to make sure you
understand the rule, and what devices there are that would work for
your boat, and then go to the "powers that be" and tell them you
understand all the issues, but that because your location is remote,
they should exercise the discretion that Congress, in their wisdom,
granted them, to give you an exemption.



Ellen MacArthur wrote:
"katy" wrote
| Who cares which one is right? If you're anchored, show an anchor light
| for Pete's sake, no matter where you are...getting hit in the middle of
| the night by some yumyum not paying attention isn't a place anyone would
| want to be...all this quibbling about the interpretations just leads to
| overthinking the common sense application for what we a
| cruiser/racers...yes, it is important if you are out in commercial
| waters to know what needs to ve known, but what you're addressing here
| is pure semantic haggling....

Sorry, but I should've explained things better. This isn't about being
aboard a boat anchored out. It's about a 17 foot sailboat with no motor
anchored on a mooring. In a harbor away from traffic. It's used only for
day sailing. Nobody lives in it. It doesn't have a battery. It's never had
an anchor light. All of a sudden the authorities say it must have an anchor
light. I don't think they even know why. I'd like to know why.
Do all the boats in harbors on anchors under 7 meters in your area have
anchor lights? I think the 7 meter rule was made just for such little boats.
How can you expect a little boat with no battery and nobody home to turn
on an anchor light every night? It's not even reasonable.

Cheers,
Ellen