Captain Mikes’ Safety Tips
Running lights

The only way that a vessel can figure out how to deal with another vessel underway at night is by observing the running lights of that vessel.

Sailing vessels underway sailing during periods of limited visibility must display red and green ahead and white astern. These lights are constructed so that the red is seen only from dead ahead for 112.5 degrees on the port beam, green is seen from dead ahead for 112.5 degrees on the starboard beam. The white stern light is seen only for an arc of 135 degrees on the stern or 67.5 degrees from dead astern to starboard or port.

This combination of lights warns any other vessel that this is a sailing vessel under sail and they might have to give way. These lights may be carried on the hulls’ bow (red and green ahead) and stern (white astern) or these (red, green ahead and white astern) lights may be carried on top or near the masthead. In addition to the bow and stern lights carried on the hull a sailing vessel may carry a 360 degree red over green light on or near the masthead but these lights may not be carried in conjunction with the masthead mounted red, green and white running lights.

The way that these lights are configured another vessel that is forward of the beam will only see a red or green or both but will not see a white light. If a white light is seen forward, this indicates that the sailboat is steaming not sailing and has no rights as a sailboat under sail. The powerboat is actually obligated to maintain his course if he has the right of way rather than staying clear of the sailing vessel.

Many sailors are ignorant of the fact that they must extinguish their steaming and anchor lights while sailing and are risking a collision with other vessels that are racing or cruising in their area. When one or two of these white lights are displayed forward that vessel is recognized as a power vessel and has no rights as a sailing vessel. Technically under the sailing rules and navigation rules a racing, sailing vessel displaying white lights ahead that has a collision with another racing, sailing vessel displaying proper running lights is wrong. It does not matter what point of sail, starboard or port tack, if one sailboat has given up his rights as a sailing vessel by displaying white lights ahead, he is wrong. He is a powerboat under the rules, not a sailing vessel.

A power vessel must give way when crossing a sailing vessel under sail in normal circumstances. A power vessel constrained by draft, restricted in its’ ability to maneuver or engaged in fishing, etc. may have the right of way over a vessel under sail. All of these vessels must display special lights to warn vessels about their special condition.

Our racing rules are based on the Navigation Rules and will not ever come in conflict with them. It seems silly that a simple white light shown forward while sailing could cause trouble but a high speed powerboat seeing red, green and white ahead might hold its’ course, while a sailing vessel might expect the right of way.

Mike Howell