Length of pole holding stern white light

[massimofinance]

Is it true that the rear white light on a pole on the right stern needs to be two feet above the top of my outboard according to the law? (From dusk till dawn)<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />MAX<br /><br />1984 Bayliner Capri 16'

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

I believe it has to extend above the highest point on the boat. If your outboard is the high point you are ok.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

No, actually my windshield is, how far above?<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />MAX

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

I was told it had to be higher than any part of the watercraft by a rep from the USCG. Since I put a bimini top on my bridge, they now want me to either extend my present pole above the top or add a small light on my bimini top that extends no less than 8" higher than the top. For right now I just put the top down at night until I can get around to doing something to make them and me happy. <br /><br />Depending on what type of light you have, you may be able to just get a long light that plugs into your receptacle. Good Luck

 

[Wreck Rider]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

What I learned here in Canada is 1 metre above the highest point of the boat. Pretty sure its essentially the same in the US.

 

[cp]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

If your boat is less than 12 meters (less than 39 feet) then Rule 23 of COLREGS allows use of sidelights (red and green) and an all around white light (instead of sidelights and separate masthead and stern lights). Rule 21 defines an all around light as one that is "...a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of horizon of 360 degrees." So it makes sense that an all around light in the stern must be higher than anything on the boat in order to be visible over 360 degrees.<br /><br />The USCG requires that "For vessels less than 39.4 feet/12 meters in length, the masthead or all-around white light must be at least 1 meter above the sidelights." But note that just having your all around light one meter higher than your sidelights is not good enough since it must also show an unbroken 360 degree arc of light.<br /><br />If that means too long a pole for you, then your option is to go with separate masthead and stern lights. The masthead light would have to be "...placed over the fore and aft centerline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel." This would allow the stern light to be on a shorter pole since it must only be "...placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel." The stern light would still have to be higher than anything aft of it but could now be well below the cabin/hardtop/bimini, etc.<br /><br />Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

very useful, thanks.<br /><br />follow up question: how long will my 70 AMP new deep cycle battery last if I am leaving my front green/red light and rear pole light running? Also, the front lights don't need to be running if I am parked, correct?<br /><br />Don't want the battery to die on me!<br /><br />Thanks,,,

 

[cp]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

Sidelights (red & green) are required when underway between sunset and sunrise so yes, if you are anchored, the sidelights should be off. When anchored you should display an all around white light. Normally on some boats this would simply be the stern light if it can be seen in an unbroken 360 degree arc. If the stern light cannot be seen 'all around' then it should be the masthead light (many masthead lights have a second bulb built-in so they can function as the all around light when not underway). Many boats only have sidelights and an all around light affixed up high on the hard top or protruding above the bimini as allowed by the regulations for vessels less than 12 meters.<br /><br />Most all around pole lights seem to use a 10 watt bulb drawing 0.83 amp, so your 70 A-H battery theoretically should last over 70 hours with just the all around light on. The all around anchor light won't drain your battery overnight (unless you're in antarctica where the nights are 6 months long ), but be sure to take into account the other stuff like the stereo, cabin/cockpit lights, etc. Having two batteries is a good idea - use one for this kind of stuff, save the other for starting the engine the next morning. If you have a battery switch, once you start the engine you can switch over to charge the house battery if you like.<br /><br />Be safe, have fun!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

White stern light must be a minimum of 1 meter or about 36" higher than the bow light for vessels less than 12m in length and must be visible in a 360* arc.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

Thanks all, very good information.<br /><br />Do the regs state how powerfull the stern light must be? <br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />MAX

 

[cp]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

COLREGS requires for vessels less than 12 meters in length that the light shall have intensity so as to be visible at a minimum range of 2 miles.<br /><br />It'd be reasonable to expect that your boat manufacturer used an approved light. If you're buying an after market light, get an USCG approved light, it will have been tested to meet this requirement.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Length of pole holding stern white light

Any stern light I have seen used the GE1004 model bulb. Don't know what the spec is but they all seem to use that bulb.