legal lighting on west coast of Florida

[bprender]

I am about to start wiring my boat for lighting. I need to know exactly what I need. I just bought a battery for my motor. I will buy an electric distriubution panel. <br /><br />After I set this up, what lights do I need to be aware of on a 22 foot sailboat? <br /><br />I know bow red and green, mast light and stern light. Is that all the law "requires". What else would be helpful? <br /><br />I also want to know about headlights. I am pretty inexperienced and would hate to run aground in the middle of the night because I couldnt see. <br /><br />Finally, what is an anchor light. Do I relly need one if I'm basically throwing one off the side? <br /><br />Thanks guys. <br /><br />BTW, if you see a 22 foot sailboat named Plan C cruising around anna maria island...back off

 

[llfish]

Re: legal lighting on west coast of Florida

You will screw other boaters up if you use head lights when you are under way. There is a Coast Guard sight that has the lighting requirements which I will try and find for you.

 

[llfish]

Re: legal lighting on west coast of Florida

Take a look here.<br /><br /> http://www.cgauxvenice.org/boating-info/navigation-aids.htm#lights

 

[18rabbit]

Re: legal lighting on west coast of Florida

In a nutshell, you cannot display any other lights onboard while underway that could be confused with the required nav lights. That means no headlights. Deck lights that allow for someone to move about safely onboard are ok.<br /><br />The anchor light, a.k.a. an all-around white light, is required. On many boats the masthead lamp is a 360-deg white light that is on while underway to fulfill the required forward/side while light and stern white light, both in one lamp. Then at anchor it is on to fulfill the required all-around white light.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: legal lighting on west coast of Florida

Up here on smaller vessels a masthead light isn't required and instead you can display an all-around light (goes at the top of the mast and shows 360° white light) in addition to your sidelights when underway. I think I've found a rule that permits you as well:<br />(Rule 23)<br />

<br />i A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.<br />

But like I said, I'm more familiar with Canadian regs. On my brother's 24' Shark we only have a all-around (anchor) light and sidelights, as the stern light isn't even required on boats that small.<br /><br />Don't worry much about night sailing. You'll quickly learn how well you can see without light. I worry more about running aground in the fog than in the dark. Striking bottom isn't usually catastrophic in a 22' boat anyway - just embarrassing.<br /><br />EDIT: Looks like 18rabbit beat me to it. The big confusing thing is that a masthead light isn't at the top of the mast, but rather part way up and shines forwardish/sideish only.