comments interspersed

rhys wrote:

For what it's worth: My boat's about 10 meters in length, and I use
the stern light and the port/starboard bow lights when underway at
night under sail AND the mast-top tricolour. I believe I could use
either, legally.

Either/Or, but NOT together ( by "port/starboard bow lights", I'm
assuming you mean pt/stbd side lights.)

When I motor at night, I use the steaming light at the mast front just
beneath the spreaders, about four metres (13 feet or so) off the deck.
I customarily turn OFF the masthead light to reinforce my "powered"
status and just use the hull lights.

What you are calling the "steaming" light is also called the "masthead"
light under the rules, so I'm assuming you turn off the tri-color, when
under power, which is correct

I have a separate, quite bright white 360 degree anchor light atop my
mast top tricolour, which I use when anchored at night, naturally. In
a pinch, I suppose it could be an "emergency steaming light", although
I would probably issue a "securite" call on 16 if I was motoring
through traffic with a busted steaming light.

Considering your size, it would be an excellent "optional" masthead
light (turn off stern light) and no "securite" needed.


otn