Posted on April 26, 2010.
What-if-masthead light / anchor / navigation are legally required for a sailboat 24 m? I have a size 24 sailboat Seidelmann 1984. All lighting, including masthead should be updated. I just want to know if the masthead is a legal requirement. I go to all the LEDs and that gets expensive with the masthead because it requires a lot of intensity.
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Article 25: sailing ships and vessels during rowing (a) A sailing vessel must show:
(I) sidelights; (ii) a stern light.
(B) In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length shall carry the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
(C) A sailing vessel may, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section at the top or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen all crossfire-round on a vertical line , the upper being red and the green underside, these lights should not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by paragraph (b) of this section.
(D) (i) A sailing vessel under 7 meters in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights described in paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, but if not, it must have on hand a flashlight lantern lit in white light that will be presented in time to avoid collisions.
(Ii) A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this article, sailing boats, but if not, it must have at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which will be presented in time to avoid collision.
(E) A ship sailing at the same time propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards. This is the right word for word master of the horse's mouth. Sailing Smoooooth.
But the plaintiff can still be confused by all that regulation, a 24 foot boat does not display a masthead light, but it is nice, especially in heavily traveled waters Flag
If you're sailing, you must have red lights and green side and a stern light. If you have less power, you must add a masthead or what is commonly called "fire way to show you have less power and fall under those rules that govern a motorboat. These lamps may be combined on a boat and the length of your watch on the mast. Look Collision Regulations and see Rule 25.
