Amanda Knapp
Anchor lights are an important safety feature on boats, helping to prevent accidents and injuries. They are white lights that are visible all around or in a 360-degree arc and are displayed at night when a boat is anchored. On small boats, they can also be used in conjunction with sidelights while underway at night or in fog. On sailboats, anchor lights are typically placed at the masthead, although they can also be mounted at the top of the mast or on the front of the mast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White |
| Visibility | All-round or 360-degree arc |
| Location | Masthead |
| Usage | At night when the boat is anchored |
| Usage | On small boats (less than 12 metres long) in conjunction with sidelights (red and green) while underway at night or in fog |
| Usage | In the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball |
| Usage | At or near the stern, an all-round white light |
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What You'll Learn
The anchor light is a white light visible in a 360-degree arc
On a sailboat, the anchor light is typically at the masthead. In the past, they were simply kerosene lamps hung in the rigging. The mast light breaker would normally supply downward-facing lights on the underside of the lower spreaders, or some other location in the mast where they can illuminate the deck to help you work at night.
On small boats (less than 12 metres long), the anchor light can also be used in conjunction with the sidelights (red and green) while underway at night or in fog. The anchor light should be displayed where it can best be seen: in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball; at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.
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It is displayed at night when the boat is anchored
An anchor light is a white light that is visible "all round" or visible in a 360-degree arc. It is displayed at night when the boat is anchored. It is a matter of safety for you and others. Even if the boat is in a known or designated anchorage area, dinghies and other boats may be travelling in that area and will need to know the location of your boat. People have been severely injured and killed because a skipper decided that he'd not burn an anchor light.
On a sailboat, they are typically at the masthead. In the past, they were simply kerosene lamps hung in the rigging. The mast light breaker would normally supply downward-facing lights on the underside of the lower spreaders, or some other location in the mast where they can illuminate the deck to help you work at night.
On small boats (less than 12 metres long) it can also be used in conjunction with the sidelights (red and green) while underway at night or in fog.
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On small boats, it can be used with sidelights while underway at night or in fog
An anchor light is a white light that is visible "all round" or visible in a 360-degree arc. It is displayed at night when the boat is anchored. On small boats (less than 12 metres long), it can also be used in conjunction with sidelights (red and green) while underway at night or in fog.
On small boats, an anchor light can be used with sidelights while underway at night or in fog. This is to ensure the boat is visible to other vessels, which is a matter of safety for all involved. Even if the boat is in a known or designated anchorage area, other boats may be travelling in that area and will need to know the location of your boat. People have been severely injured and killed because a skipper decided not to use an anchor light.
The anchor light should be placed where it can best be seen. This is usually at the masthead, but it can also be placed on the front of the mast or on the underside of the lower spreaders. In the past, anchor lights were simply kerosene lamps hung in the rigging.
If you are unsure of where to place your anchor light, it is best to consult an expert or a boating forum.
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It is usually placed at the masthead
An anchor light is a white light that is visible "all round" or visible in a 360-degree arc. It is displayed at night when the boat is anchored. On small boats (less than 12 metres long), it can also be used in conjunction with the sidelights (red and green) while underway at night or in fog.
On a sailboat, the anchor light is usually placed at the masthead. In the past, they were simply kerosene lamps hung in the rigging. The mast light breaker would normally supply downward-facing lights on the underside of the lower spreaders, or some other location in the mast where they can illuminate the deck to help you work at night.
On a 1982 375-V Ranger, for example, there is a switch at the very front of the boat that is labelled "courtesy light/anchor light".
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It is a matter of safety and law
Anchor lights are white lights that are visible all around the boat, in a 360-degree arc. They are typically placed at the top of the mast, but can also be placed at the front of the mast or at the stern of the boat. On smaller boats, they can be used in conjunction with sidelights at night or in fog.
Some boats have a switch at the front labelled 'courtesy light/anchor light', which can be wired to the anchor light.
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Frequently asked questions
An anchor light is a white light that is visible all around or in a 360-degree arc. It is displayed at night when the boat is anchored.
On a sailboat, the anchor light is typically at the masthead.
You should use a reliable vendor for your anchor light, such as LED or Marinebeam. Stay away from cheap Chinese knockoffs as they are not as reliable.
Displaying a proper anchor light when anchored at night is a matter of safety for you and others. Even if the boat is in a known or designated anchorage area, other boats may be travelling in that area and will need to know the location of your boat.
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