Dispelling the ignorance in the anchorage thread
 

I've read the thread on anchorage ID and boarding techniques which has
morphed into a general anchor light rule discussion and I've found it
entirely lacking.

Here is the COLREG rule that applies:

Rule 30
(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen: in the fore
part, an all-round white light or one ball; 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.

~~~~~~~~~ (b) applies to the yachts you guys own and sail. So you can
disregard (a) unless you'd like follow it. Note where it says "where it can
best be seen." This gives the captain discretionary rights to decide where
it may best be seen. I maintain that an anchor light atop the mast is least
likely to be seen in a yacht anchorage.

(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.

~~~~~~~~~~(C) does not apply to the yachts owned and sailed by those in this
group but you MAY use working lights if you wish.

(d) A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph
(a) or (b) of this Rule and in addition, if practicable, where they can best
be seen;
two all-round red lights in a vertical line; three balls in a vertical line.

~~~~~~~~~~(d) this rule applies mostly to Skippy who seems to go aground
every other day. Do you have the required lights and shapes, Skippy?

(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 lights and shapes prescribed in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.

~~~~~~~~~(e) seven meters is 21.3 feet so if your boat is shorter than that
you don't need to display an anchor light or shapes with the exceptions of
the places noted.

(f) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length, when aground, shall not
be required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in subparagraphs
(d)(i) and (ii) of this Rule.

~~~~~~~~~(f) tough luck, Skippy. You'd better get the required shapes and
lights as your "Stuck Pig" is forty feet LOA, isn't it?

(g) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length, when at anchor in a
special anchorage area designated by the Secretary, shall not be required to
exhibit the anchor lights and shapes required by this Rule.

~~~~~~~~(g) This is the special anchorage rule most of you seem confused
about. This rule applies to most of you because I don't think any of your
boats are more than sixty feet in length

And, none of this applies to Bruce in Bangkok because boats permanently tied
up to a dock aren't required to displays any lights and shapes at all.

I hope this helps.

Wilbur Hubbard