To The 3 Idiots

[Back!]

There is a reason that there is a law about boats using running lights when it is dark. You have no idea how close you came to being run over this morning. What made it so close is that we passed another boat going the opposite direction 100 yards below you and thought your wake was theirs. When the wake got bigger instead of smaller my husband slowed down. Also the fact that you weren't even planed out. I understand not hearing our motor over yours. How did you not see the 2 spotlights; 1 on each bank? If the guy on the bow with the dying headlight had just shined us with that it would have helped. Get some running lights!

[Wingman]

I hear people complain about getting ticketed for not having the white light in the back. If you've ever come up on someone from their rear you will appreciate the white light and they will too. It's a heck of a lot better than taking the bow to the back of your head because you thought the red/green light visible from the front and sides is enough.

[hntrpat1]

Wing I know a place you could write tickets everyday of duck season

[bmaskew04]

[RedEyed Duck]

[Wingman]

I was watching some guys fish after dark last spring. When they cranked up and headed across the lake I got behind them but soon they vanished as they had no white light. I nearly rode right up in the back of their boat before I saw them.

[mudsucker]

As per USCG Navigation Rules, COMDTINST M16672.2C

Rule 23(d)(i)Power Boats underway - less than 12 Meters:

A power vessel less than 12 Meters in lieu of the lights prescribed in Rule 23(a) may exhibit:

Red and Green side lights;

All-round White light. (usually on stern)

I added the part in italics as you would NOT want it in front of steering station as you would lose your night vision!
Google USCG Navigation Rules, COMDTINST M16672.2C
For all my Merchant Marine Lic. test, I had to pass a 50 question test with a 90% or better on this one book. All states go with this but of course, most of it pretains to Tows and Ships.

[Anatidae]

I think the stern light is also supposed to extend a certain height ABOVE the operator's head. There's a good reason that's a law, too........and I SHOULD know what that height requirement is.

If it had been foggy yesterday, this incident coulda been a disaster 'cause the moon was full and we typically don't use a spotlight except for occassional verification of landmarks, floaters, and other obstructions. You've got time to react to a white, red, or green light in your path........but it's got to be there for you to have a chance of seeing it.

[msbigdawg1234]

If not mistaken i believe the anchor/all around light is posed to be aleast 36 inches above the bow lights so it is not abstructed by any passengers

[Blake Williamson]

[Wildfowler]

Could someone please post a link to the height requirement rules regarding the stern light? I have seen them hard wired to the cowling on the engine before and thought that was a good idea.

[redneck22ms]

http://www.boat-ed.com/ms/handbook/lights.htm

[SHANE704]

i believe the white light just has to be the taller than the tallest point on the vessel

[Wingman]

White light 3.3' higher than side lights.

[Anatidae]

OK......I have a question

Bow/deck mounted or

Gator Trax Fish-eye side nav lights....... ("Aw, RANDY!!!")

http://www.gatortraxboats.com/p-50-side-navigation-lights.aspx