CG nav lights regulations?

[ElHeffe]

According to USCG regulations, the red and green side marker lights need to visible in a 112.5 degree arc (90 degrees from the fore + 22.5 degrees abaft). The sidelights also need to be visible for only 1 mile per rule 22.
Per rule 25, I only need sidelights and a stern light, but a combination mast light is acceptable (25b).

I would like to mount waterproof LED strip lights for nav lights on the bow. The problem is the 112.5 degree arc running abaft.

The plan is to route some slots in some mating wood pieces that wrap around the bow. I've got a crude drawing below. After a second look, I think the bow transom mounted piece would go all the way to the top of the bow curve, just for esthetics.

Does anyone know if strip lights are acceptable by the USCG? Since the regs don't actually say that only single point lights are acceptable, I would think LED strip lights would be acceptable. I'm sure the visibility of the lights are good to 1 mile and probably even good to 2 miles.

[mrogers]

Strip lights are probably defensible. The problem will be to constrain the lights visibility to 22.5 degrees. Traditionally this has been accomplished with a baffle or wing at the aft side of the light.
Because the strip light is so long, the curve of the hull will cause the light to be visible beyond 22.5 abaft unless the baffle is very wide. Draw it out full size in plan view to measure the angles. You will probably have to minimize the length of the side wrap around to keep proportions reasonable. A wide enough baffle would be in danger of damage at dockside or other close encounters. I am just thinking that some solution where the lights are mounted at the forward corned of the deck, far enough inboard to protect the baffles. Another comment I have on running lights is that they need to be ahead of the sail as you are proposing. The light reflected off the sail will severely hamper your night vision. I am mounting my sidelights as above for the reasons described. The problem I am wrestling with is how to wire lights in that forward compartment that is so out of reach. The solution I am contemplating is a 6” clear screw in deck plate in the fore deck. I will be able to reach the electrical connections and be able to tighten the bow eye nuts if necessary. The clear plate will allow some natural light into a very dark space.

[Peter E]

Here is a link to some navigation lights that could be used on a SCAMP mounting on the side of the deck house. They are CG approved. I don't know if that makes any difference to you but if you sail in areas where you run across the CG beware. In my area no CG but there is recreation officer who looks for those things at least if you forget to put the lights on.


http://www.boatersplus.com/images/detai ... 344175.jpg

[wdscobie]

I would like to mount waterproof LED strip lights for nav lights on the bow. The problem is the 112.5 degree arc running abaft.

home made navigation lights will not work. you must have USCG (if in US) approved (meaning tested) running lights.

from a day-to-day POV yes you have lights. the issue comes if you were ever involved in an incident. if your lights, even the bulbs, are not USCG approved you are at fault.

[wdscobie]

According to USCG regulations, the red and green side marker lights need to visible in a 112.5 degree arc (90 degrees from the fore + 22.5 degrees abaft). The sidelights also need to be visible for only 1 mile per rule 22.

Per rule 25, I only need sidelights and a stern light, but a combination mast light is acceptable (25b).

for the above you are correctly describing what is needed for lighting under sail, though because of the SCAMP's size/speed you can also use a flashlight.

if you are under power/outboard you need a steaming light in addition to the stern light; or you need an all-round masthead light (NO stern light) along with the red/green lights forward.

if rowing/paddling all you need is a flashlight.

[fred4win]

Greetings for the New Year from the Philippines......Talking about Navigation lights and the regulations..Like Dave Scobie says: "rowing or paddling all you need is a flashlight".... Well here in the Philippines any boat under 20 foot, motor or not, needs one light of any kind :flashlight, gas or oil lamp or Coleman lantern. And still most don't use any....scary sometimes. Of course there is no USCG here either.

Also come to think of it even the cars and Jeepneys don't turn on there lights either....Maybe they think they are saving gas or electric.

Careful "Cuidado"" in Spanish

[ElHeffe]

Thanks. The USCG approved issue does appear to be a deal breaker. I'll likely switch to Duckworks lights. (Even though I like these flush lights better, they would appear to be harder to mount on the curved bow.)

My plan is to have a 360 degree white mast light and red/green nav lights on separate switches. The mast light would be an anchor light. The nav lights would also be on when underway.

[pocketyacht]

To reiterate what Dave Scobie has written here is the actual USCG reg for boats under 22.96 feet.
Key words are "May" and "Should" not "Must"

Sailboats less than 7 meters (22.96 feet) may carry an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision.

If practicable, the lights prescribed for sailboats less than 20 meters should be displayed.

Watercraft under oars may display the lights prescribed for sailboats, but if not, must have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern (flashlight) showing a white light to be displayed in sufficient time to prevent collision.
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On #2 I have forward red and green bronze side lights, which appear when looking at photos of the boat to be marginally viewable from dead ahead due to the up sweep of SCAMP's for deck. Actually when tested in the dark they were very viewable from dead ahead and are USCG legal Perko brand.

I also mounted a regulation compliant bronze stern white light and a mast head all around white light on a separate switch. This will also serve as an anchor light.

Are these necessary? No, a flashlight or torch will do as SCAMP is well under 22.96 feet, however I wish to sail as visibly as possible and I had these really nice old bronze running lights hanging around forever so I rewired them, buffed them up and mounted them. I will be sailing her in international waters at times and wish to be seen and compliant in other countries.

[ddowdell]

I don't know if you're still looking, but the Navisafe NaviLight 360 (http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/b ... grees.html) works like a charm on my 16-foot skiff. The batteries seem to last forever. It has a magnetic base so I just pop it from my bag to the bow when it gets dark. Would probably mount just fine at the forward end of the cabin top.

Go SCAMPers! Hope to join you before too long.