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Sailboat "streaming light" question
Does anyone know where the LEGAL position of a streaming light is
supposed to be? I've had people tell me "the top of the mast", and "3/4 of the way up the mast", and "at the lower spreaders". At the top of my mast [Islander 29'] I have two lights. One is a white 360 degree light [anchor], and the other is white, but shows only 180 degrees [?] forward. I assume that the second light is a streaming light, but wonder if it's "legal" where it's mounted? Appreciate a reply via e-mail,,,,, Trent Sanders S/V Cimba Marina Del Rey Southern California |
You should get a full copy of the Rules and go through them at least once, just to
appreciate what's in them. http://www.uscg.mil/vtm/navrules/navrules.pdf Here is the appendix from the Inland rules concerning the vertical position of the Masthead light, which is commonly reffered to as the steaming light, and need not be at the masthead. In fact, you can make a good argument for keeping it low, if you you want small boats to identify you. (a) On a power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more in length the masthead lights shall be placed as follows: (1) The forward masthead light, or if only one masthead light is carried, then that light, at a height above the hull of not less than 5 meters, and, if the breadth of the vessel exceeds 5 meters, then at a height above the hull not less than such breadth, so however that the light need not be placed at a greater height above the hull than 8 meters; (2) When two masthead lights are carried the after one shall be at least 2 meters vertically higher than the forward one. (b) The vertical separation of the masthead lights of power-driven vessels shall be such that in all normal conditions of trim the after light will be seen over and separate from the forward light at a distance of 1000 meters from the stem when viewed from water level. (c) The masthead light of a power-driven vessel of 12 meters but less than 20 meters in length shall be placed at a height above the gunwale of not less than 2.5 meters. "Trent D. Sanders" wrote in message m... Does anyone know where the LEGAL position of a streaming light is supposed to be? I've had people tell me "the top of the mast", and "3/4 of the way up the mast", and "at the lower spreaders". At the top of my mast [Islander 29'] I have two lights. One is a white 360 degree light [anchor], and the other is white, but shows only 180 degrees [?] forward. I assume that the second light is a streaming light, but wonder if it's "legal" where it's mounted? Appreciate a reply via e-mail,,,,, Trent Sanders S/V Cimba Marina Del Rey Southern California |
On 15 Oct 2004 10:12:51 -0700, (Trent D. Sanders)
wrote: Does anyone know where the LEGAL position of a streaming light is supposed to be? I've had people tell me "the top of the mast", and "3/4 of the way up the mast", and "at the lower spreaders". The light you are asking about is the "steaming" (not streaming) or masthead light. It has an arc of visibility from dead ahead to two points (22.5 degrees) abaft the beam on either side - it covers the same arc as the red and green sidelights. At the top of my mast [Islander 29'] I have two lights. One is a white 360 degree light [anchor], and the other is white, but shows only 180 degrees [?] forward. I assume that the second light is a streaming light, but wonder if it's "legal" where it's mounted? The Collision Regulations will describe the required positions of all navigation lights. According to the Canadian version of the Coll Regs, on a vessel under 12 metres, the masthead light must be at least 1 metre above the sidelights. -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca new newsgroup users info : http://vancouver-webpages.com/nnq GPS and NMEA info: http://vancouver-webpages.com/peter Vancouver Power Squadron: http://vancouver.powersquadron.ca |
Peter,
I have a similar question to that of the original poster. My 32 ft boat was modified by a previous owner. It has the following lights: - Masthead Trilight - red/green/white - Masthead 360 deg white light below tri-light - Hull mounted conventional running lights red/green/stern white ( I added these - the originals were not working) I have read the regulations and find there are several variations. What I have gathered is that a sailboat under power must display same lights as a power boat. In my case, under sail, I have two choices - either use the hull mounted red/green/stern lights or use the masthead tri-light - both acceptable. Under power, I do not have the normal steaming light. It seems from the following quotation that I may be able to use the hull mounted lights plus the masthead 360 deg light: "If a power-driven vessel underway is less than 12 m long, it may display, from sunset to sunrise, an all-round white light and sidelights instead of a masthead light forward, sidelights, and a stern light. The all-round light must be higher than the sidelights." I would sort of have this, but from the stern there would be two white lights showing, one low and one high. I read the following in the international colregs: "the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel if centerline fitting is not practicable, provided the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or all-round white light." This would tend to say that the combined masthead trilight plus all round light might also be acceptable. I could add the conventional mast mounted steaming light, but this means adding wiring and switches. Question is, do I need to do it! Graham "Peter Bennett" wrote The light you are asking about is the "steaming" (not streaming) or masthead light. It has an arc of visibility from dead ahead to two points (22.5 degrees) abaft the beam on either side - it covers the same arc as the red and green sidelights. The Collision Regulations will describe the required positions of all navigation lights. According to the Canadian version of the Coll Regs, on a vessel under 12 metres, the masthead light must be at least 1 metre above the sidelights. -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI |
Subject: Sailboat "streaming light" question
From: "Windjammer" Peter, I have a similar question to that of the original poster. My 32 ft boat was modified by a previous owner. It has the following lights: - Masthead Trilight - red/green/white - Masthead 360 deg white light below tri-light - Hull mounted conventional running lights red/green/stern white ( I added these - the originals were not working) I have read the regulations and find there are several variations. What I have gathered is that a sailboat under power must display same lights as a power boat. Since under those conditions it IS a powerboat under the Rules. In my case, under sail, I have two choices - either use the hull mounted red/green/stern lights or use the masthead tri-light - both acceptable. True Under power, I do not have the normal steaming light. It seems from the following quotation that I may be able to use the hull mounted lights plus the masthead 360 deg light: As long as you shut off the hull mounted stern light. (could look like a Masthead/Range setup). "If a power-driven vessel underway is less than 12 m long, it may display, from sunset to sunrise, an all-round white light and sidelights instead of a masthead light forward, sidelights, and a stern light. The all-round light must be higher than the sidelights." I would sort of have this, but from the stern there would be two white lights showing, one low and one high. Again, you would need to shut the lower one off. I read the following in the international colregs: "the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel if centerline fitting is not practicable, provided the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or all-round white light." This would tend to say that the combined masthead trilight plus all round light might also be acceptable. Definitely not. This is talking about small outboards where the motor, etc. may get in the way of a center mounting. I could add the conventional mast mounted steaming light, but this means adding wiring and switches. Question is, do I need to do it! Looks like all you need is a seperate switch on your hull stern light. Shen |
Just a few notes on terminology he
A masthead is the forward portion of the mast, not the mast-top which is the top. Therefore, it is impossible to have a 360 masthead light in a single light... The term steaming light has been substituted many times to try to eliminate the confusion associated with the "mast-head" light. -- Cheers, Jeffrey Nelson Muir Caileag C&C 30 "Windjammer" wrote in message ... Peter, I have a similar question to that of the original poster. My 32 ft boat was modified by a previous owner. It has the following lights: - Masthead Trilight - red/green/white - Masthead 360 deg white light below tri-light - Hull mounted conventional running lights red/green/stern white ( I added these - the originals were not working) I have read the regulations and find there are several variations. What I have gathered is that a sailboat under power must display same lights as a power boat. In my case, under sail, I have two choices - either use the hull mounted red/green/stern lights or use the masthead tri-light - both acceptable. Under power, I do not have the normal steaming light. It seems from the following quotation that I may be able to use the hull mounted lights plus the masthead 360 deg light: "If a power-driven vessel underway is less than 12 m long, it may display, from sunset to sunrise, an all-round white light and sidelights instead of a masthead light forward, sidelights, and a stern light. The all-round light must be higher than the sidelights." I would sort of have this, but from the stern there would be two white lights showing, one low and one high. I read the following in the international colregs: "the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centerline of the vessel if centerline fitting is not practicable, provided the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or all-round white light." This would tend to say that the combined masthead trilight plus all round light might also be acceptable. I could add the conventional mast mounted steaming light, but this means adding wiring and switches. Question is, do I need to do it! Graham "Peter Bennett" wrote The light you are asking about is the "steaming" (not streaming) or masthead light. It has an arc of visibility from dead ahead to two points (22.5 degrees) abaft the beam on either side - it covers the same arc as the red and green sidelights. The Collision Regulations will describe the required positions of all navigation lights. According to the Canadian version of the Coll Regs, on a vessel under 12 metres, the masthead light must be at least 1 metre above the sidelights. -- Peter Bennett, VE7CEI |
DARat wrote: Just a few notes on terminology he A masthead is the forward portion of the mast, not the mast-top which is the top. Therefore, it is impossible to have a 360 masthead light in a single light... The term steaming light has been substituted many times to try to eliminate the confusion associated with the "mast-head" light. Although I see what you're getting at here, I'm going to disagree a bit. "Masthead" refers to the arc of visibility more than it's location (on the mast-top or forward portion of the mast) since it can be located on top of a mast, pole .... You are correct, in that an "all-around" light should not be called a "masthead", but it's because of it's 360 deg arc of visibility. It's also possible to refer to that portion of the arc of a 360 deg light which encompasses 225 deg (rt ahead to 2 pts abaft, either side) as the "masthead" portion of that light. The "steaming" light refers to the masthead light, but in some boats it can also refer to the 360 deg light. My point here, is that there are a number of ways to address these terms, and it's more important that two people in a discussion understand the possibilities and settle on which terms are being used. otn |
The term steaming light has been substituted many times to try to eliminate the confusion associated with the "mast-head" light. Although I see what you're getting at here, I'm going to disagree a bit. "Masthead" refers to the arc of visibility more than it's location (on the mast-top or forward portion of the mast) since it can be located on top of a mast, pole .... You are correct, in that an "all-around" light should not be called a "masthead", but it's because of it's 360 deg arc of visibility. It's also possible to refer to that portion of the arc of a 360 deg light which encompasses 225 deg (rt ahead to 2 pts abaft, either side) as the "masthead" portion of that light. The "steaming" light refers to the masthead light, but in some boats it can also refer to the 360 deg light. I believe that in Canada for a boat under 12m(?) that the steaming light and stern light must separate lights but for boats under 12 m there can be a single 360 degree light. This has resulted in many power boats being built with a 360 degree anchor light at the top of the metal mast and a steaming light on the front side of the mast and a stern light on the rear side just below it. I do not believe that the lower two would appear any different the single anchor light from a distance but one is legal and one is not. RW |
On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 16:17:18 -0400, "Rob" wrote:
I believe that in Canada for a boat under 12m(?) that the steaming light and stern light must separate lights but for boats under 12 m there can be a single 360 degree light. This has resulted in many power boats being built with a 360 degree anchor light at the top of the metal mast and a steaming light on the front side of the mast and a stern light on the rear side just below it. I do not believe that the lower two would appear any different the single anchor light from a distance but one is legal and one is not. 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. 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. 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. Finally, I carry hurricane lamps that could be used as nav lights. They are cheap Chinese jobs I use to illuminate the cockpit on social evenings, but I carry spotlight "cels" in the appropriate colours to make 'em into legal (excepting the range, maybe) nav lights. If they fell in the lake, I wouldn't cry. As the above shows, I believe in at least partial redudancy G. |
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