Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations

Reggie, I can't find a specific answer to this question, I know that as an USCGAUX Vessel Examiner I could not award a decal to a vessel that had incorrect configuration of (or more than one set of) lights lit. Some boaters figure if one set of lights is good....... well, two is better! I find that mostly on powerboats. However, I looked in the NAVIGATION RULES-International-Inland (COMDINST M16672.2D) and the closest I could come to an answer for you is that they show the masthead tricolor used WITHOUT deck level lights on. My gut feeling is that the Tri-Color is intended to be used INSTEAD of the deck-level lights while offshore. The other option is to install, instead of a Tri-Color masthead, a red over green 360deg light at the masthead which CAN be used at the same time as the deck-level lights. This gives the high up lighting of the tri-color, but still allows use of the deck level lights to also give better close in ID. Both of these lighting options are only to be used while under sail alone (not while powering or motor-sailing) and only on sailing vessels under 20 Meters long (but since CAL never built any boats over 65' long.... I guess we don't need to worry about that!). Anyway, I'll keep looking, but my gut feeling is still that the tri-color is used in place of the deck-level lights, NOT in addition to them. Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Mon, 23 May 2011 07:07:27 -0600 r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> writes: does anyone know if it is specifically prohibited to run a masthead tricolor at the same time as deck level running lights? Reggie Refinance for 2.50%/3.03% APR Loans under 729K usually qualify for US GOV backed refinance programs http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4dda70868e5439f14st05duc

If you use 2 sets of lights at the same time it may confuse another boater. It will also use more electricity. I sail on SF Bay at nite only by necessity and I am not looking for running lites 30 or so feet off the water. In the old days of the Ensenada race we would have many boats around us at nite and it could be a challenge to sort out all the lights. A masthead tricolor may have a place at sea, however you must keep a lookout and you should see other vessels at nite before they come close enough to do you harm. Running a masthead strobe light is an unseaman like act and should be discouraged. Some racing organizations require a masthead strobe lite to be fitted in contravention of use and custom. My Best, Mike Cal 20 #61 Coyote and SC 27 Yellow Jack #57313 From: "rj… [at] juno.com" <rj… [at] juno.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 7:33 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations Reggie, I can't find a specific answer to this question, I know that as an USCGAUX Vessel Examiner I could not award a decal to a vessel that had incorrect configuration of (or more than one set of) lights lit. Some boaters figure if one set of lights is good....... well, two is better! I find that mostly on powerboats. However, I looked in the NAVIGATION RULES-International-Inland (COMDINST M16672.2D) and the closest I could come to an answer for you is that they show the masthead tricolor used WITHOUT deck level lights on. My gut feeling is that the Tri-Color is intended to be used INSTEAD of the deck-level lights while offshore. The other option is to install, instead of a Tri-Color masthead, a red over green 360deg light at the masthead which CAN be used at the same time as the deck-level lights. This gives the high up lighting of the tri-color, but still allows use of the deck level lights to also give better close in ID. Both of these lighting options are only to be used while under sail alone (not while powering or motor-sailing) and only on sailing vessels under 20 Meters long (but since CAL never built any boats over 65' long.... I guess we don't need to worry about that!). Anyway, I'll keep looking, but my gut feeling is still that the tri-color is used in place of the deck-level lights, NOT in addition to them. Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Mon, 23 May 2011 07:07:27 -0600 r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> writes: >does anyone know if it is specifically prohibited to run a masthead tricolor at the same time as deck level running lights? >Reggie > > Refinance for 2.50%/3.03% APR Loans under 729K usually qualify for US GOV backed refinance programs theeasyloansite.com

On 5/23/2011 4:38 PM, mike farrell wrote: > A masthead tricolor may have a place at sea, however you must > keep a lookout and you should see other vessels at nite before they > come close enough to do you harm. Yeah--the masthead tricolor may be more visible in a dark environment offshore in large seas, but it is likely to be less visible--to be masked by background lighting "noise" like advertising signs, traffic lights, car tail lights, etc. when viewed against the shoreline. Chris Campbell

I always keep a bright flashlight and horn close by for those too close moments. I suppose one could use the tri color and bow lights when sailing ... no 360 steamer! ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Campbell To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 1:54 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations On 5/23/2011 4:38 PM, mike farrell wrote: A masthead tricolor may have a place at sea, however you must keep a lookout and you should see other vessels at nite before they come close enough to do you harm. Yeah--the masthead tricolor may be more visible in a dark environment offshore in large seas, but it is likely to be less visible--to be masked by background lighting "noise" like advertising signs, traffic lights, car tail lights, etc. when viewed against the shoreline. Chris Campbell __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6146 (20110523) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6149 (20110524) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

Mark, I have been sailing for a long time, and it never occured to me till you said it; that when you are sailing you display a stern light, 135 degrees. When you are under power you display a steaming light, forward, of, I think 225, in addition to the already displayed stern light. Adds up to 360, the same as a masthead, makes you a powerboat, even though they are 2 different lights, and one is at deck level and the other is much higher. The idea is that other vessels can see your lights and understand what kind of vessel you are. That reminds me, I need to replace the lens on my stern light, it's become opaque from UV. Regards, David Dobbs, CAL29 411 --- On Tue, 5/24/11, Mark Alan Stahnke (MAS Consulting) <masconsult@ cox.net> wrote: From: Mark Alan Stahnke (MAS Consulting) <ma… [at] cox.net> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 9:20 PM I always keep a bright flashlight and horn close by for those too close moments. I suppose one could use the tri color and bow lights when sailing ... no 360 steamer! From: Chris Campbell To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 1:54 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations On 5/23/2011 4:38 PM, mike farrell wrote: A masthead tricolor may have a place at sea, however you must keep a lookout and you should see other vessels at nite before they come close enough to do you harm. Yeah--the masthead tricolor may be more visible in a dark environment offshore in large seas, but it is likely to be less visible--to be masked by background lighting "noise" like advertising signs, traffic lights, car tail lights, etc. when viewed against the shoreline. Chris Campbell __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6146 (20110523) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6149 (20110524) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry --- On Mon, 5/23/11, rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> wrote: From: rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, May 23, 2011, 7:33 AM Reggie, I can't find a specific answer to this question, I know that as an USCGAUX Vessel Examiner I could not award a decal to a vessel that had incorrect configuration of (or more than one set of) lights lit. Some boaters figure if one set of lights is good....... well, two is better! I find that mostly on powerboats. However, I looked in the NAVIGATION RULES-International-Inland (COMDINST M16672.2D) and the closest I could come to an answer for you is that they show the masthead tricolor used WITHOUT deck level lights on. My gut feeling is that the Tri-Color is intended to be used INSTEAD of the deck-level lights while offshore. The other option is to install, instead of a Tri-Color masthead, a red over green 360deg light at the masthead which CAN be used at the same time as the deck-level lights. This gives the high up lighting of the tri-color, but still allows use of the deck level lights to also give better close in ID. Both of these lighting options are only to be used while under sail alone (not while powering or motor-sailing) and only on sailing vessels under 20 Meters long (but since CAL never built any boats over 65' long.... I guess we don't need to worry about that!). Anyway, I'll keep looking, but my gut feeling is still that the tri-color is used in place of the deck-level lights, NOT in addition to them. Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Mon, 23 May 2011 07:07:27 -0600 r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> writes: does anyone know if it is specifically prohibited to run a masthead tricolor at the same time as deck level running lights? Reggie Refinance for 2.50%/3.03% APR Loans under 729K usually qualify for US GOV backed refinance programs theeasyloansite.com

Hi jerry, My dear grandmother contributed money to the IRA so as I am as her decendant I am not quite dis connected to direct disobedience to unreasonable authority. I believe that lights dispalyed at night should conform to convention. I do not believe that masthead lights conform to use and convention. Keep a Damn Good Lookout. Don't rely on the other guy to keep away from you! Missing-- unreported-- not what I will wish for my Wife and kids! My Best, Mike F From: Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry --- On Mon, 5/23/11, rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> wrote: >From: rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> >Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations >To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >Date: Monday, May 23, 2011, 7:33 AM > > > >Reggie, I can't find a specific answer to this question, I know that as an USCGAUX Vessel Examiner I could not award a decal to a vessel that had incorrect configuration of (or more than one set of) lights lit. Some boaters figure if one set of lights is good....... well, two is better! I find that mostly on powerboats. >However, I looked in the NAVIGATION RULES-International-Inland (COMDINST M16672.2D) and the closest I could come to an answer for you is that they show the masthead tricolor used WITHOUT deck level lights on. My gut feeling is that the Tri-Color is intended to be used INSTEAD of the deck-level lights while offshore. The other option is to install, instead of a Tri-Color masthead, a red over green 360deg light at the masthead which CAN be used at the same time as the deck-level lights. This gives the high up lighting of the tri-color, but still allows use of the deck level lights to also give better close in ID. >Both of these lighting options are only to be used while under sail alone (not while powering or motor-sailing) and only on sailing vessels under 20 Meters long (but since CAL never built any boats over 65' long.... I guess we don't need to worry about that!). > >Anyway, I'll keep looking, but my gut feeling is still that the tri-color is used in place of the deck-level lights, NOT in addition to them. > >Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" >1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 >former co-owner of "NODROG" >1970 CAL 21 #285 > >On Mon, 23 May 2011 07:07:27 -0600 r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> writes: > >>does anyone know if it is specifically prohibited to run a masthead tricolor at the same time as deck level running lights? >>Reggie >> >>____________________________________________________________Refinance for 2.50%/3.03% APR >Loans under 729K usually qualify for US GOV backed refinance programs >theeasyloansite.com

Mike, Ya better be careful, I was a member of Irish Northern Aid in the late 60's, I've been tempted to file a FOIA just to see how much money they spent watching me. Regards, Dave Dobbs --- On Wed, 5/25/11, mike farrell <ve… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: From: mike farrell <ve… [at] yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 5:05 PM Hi jerry, My dear grandmother contributed money to the IRA so as I am as her decendant I am not quite dis connected to direct disobedience to unreasonable authority. I believe that lights dispalyed at night should conform to convention. I do not believe that masthead lights conform to use and convention. Keep a Damn Good Lookout. Don't rely on the other guy to keep away from you! Missing-- unreported-- not what I will wish for my Wife and kids! My Best, Mike F From: Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry --- On Mon, 5/23/11, rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> wrote: From: rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, May 23, 2011, 7:33 AM Reggie, I can't find a specific answer to this question, I know that as an USCGAUX Vessel Examiner I could not award a decal to a vessel that had incorrect configuration of (or more than one set of) lights lit. Some boaters figure if one set of lights is good....... well, two is better! I find that mostly on powerboats. However, I looked in the NAVIGATION RULES-International-Inland (COMDINST M16672.2D) and the closest I could come to an answer for you is that they show the masthead tricolor used WITHOUT deck level lights on. My gut feeling is that the Tri-Color is intended to be used INSTEAD of the deck-level lights while offshore. The other option is to install, instead of a Tri-Color masthead, a red over green 360deg light at the masthead which CAN be used at the same time as the deck-level lights. This gives the high up lighting of the tri-color, but still allows use of the deck level lights to also give better close in ID. Both of these lighting options are only to be used while under sail alone (not while powering or motor-sailing) and only on sailing vessels under 20 Meters long (but since CAL never built any boats over 65' long.... I guess we don't need to worry about that!). Anyway, I'll keep looking, but my gut feeling is still that the tri-color is used in place of the deck-level lights, NOT in addition to them. Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Mon, 23 May 2011 07:07:27 -0600 r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> writes: does anyone know if it is specifically prohibited to run a masthead tricolor at the same time as deck level running lights? Reggie ____________________________________________________________Refinance for 2.50%/3.03% APR Loans under 729K usually qualify for US GOV backed refinance programs theeasyloansite.com

Thanks David for the warning! I'll watch my back. Allthough the IRA were supported financially by my Grandmother in the 1920's and early 30's The IRA lost my respect because their bombings. When they bombed the Mountbatten family fishing boat killing Louis Mountbatten that finished it. Thank God now the British Queen can visit and honor the 1916 Easter Rebellion heroes. My Grandmother's maiden name in Gaelic was Lynskey ( Lynch, in english ) it's translation is "boatman" so I guess it runs in the genes. My Best, Mike F From: david dobbs <tm… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 6:02 PM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] (Mike F)IRA Mike, Ya better be careful, I was a member of Irish Northern Aid in the late 60's, I've been tempted to file a FOIA just to see how much money they spent watching me. Regards, Dave Dobbs --- On Wed, 5/25/11, mike farrell <ve… [at] yahoo.com> wrote: >From: mike farrell <ve… [at] yahoo.com> >Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations >To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> >Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 5:05 PM > > > >Hi jerry, > My dear grandmother contributed money to the IRA so as I am as her decendant I am not quite dis connected to direct disobedience to unreasonable authority. I believe that lights dispalyed at night should conform to convention. I do not believe that masthead lights conform to use and convention. Keep a Damn Good Lookout. Don't rely on the other guy to keep away from you! Missing-- unreported-- not what I will wish for my Wife and kids! > My Best, Mike F >From: Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> >To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM >Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations > >I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. >I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. > >Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. > >The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. > >Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? >Jerry > >--- On Mon, 5/23/11, rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> wrote: > > >>From: rj… [at] juno.com <rj… [at] juno.com> >>Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations >>To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com >>Date: Monday, May 23, 2011, 7:33 AM >> >> >> >>Reggie, I can't find a specific answer to this question, I know that as an USCGAUX Vessel Examiner I could not award a decal to a vessel that had incorrect configuration of (or more than one set of) lights lit. Some boaters figure if one set of lights is good....... well, two is better! I find that mostly on powerboats. >>However, I looked in the NAVIGATION RULES-International-Inland (COMDINST M16672.2D) and the closest I could come to an answer for you is that they show the masthead tricolor used WITHOUT deck level lights on. My gut feeling is that the Tri-Color is intended to be used INSTEAD of the deck-level lights while offshore. The other option is to install, instead of a Tri-Color masthead, a red over green 360deg light at the masthead which CAN be used at the same time as the deck-level lights. This gives the high up lighting of the tri-color, but still allows use of the deck level lights to also give better close in ID. >>Both of these lighting options are only to be used while under sail alone (not while powering or motor-sailing) and only on sailing vessels under 20 Meters long (but since CAL never built any boats over 65' long.... I guess we don't need to worry about that!). >> >>Anyway, I'll keep looking, but my gut feeling is still that the tri-color is used in place of the deck-level lights, NOT in addition to them. >> >>Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" >>1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 >>former co-owner of "NODROG" >>1970 CAL 21 #285 >> >>On Mon, 23 May 2011 07:07:27 -0600 r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> writes: >> >>>does anyone know if it is specifically prohibited to run a masthead tricolor at the same time as deck level running lights?Reggie >>>____________________________________________________________Refinance for 2.50%/3.03% APR >>Loans under 729K usually qualify for US GOV backed refinance programs >>theeasyloansite.com

Specific light combinations are intended to convey specific information about the nature and operation of a vessel that can not be seen. If you didn't comply with COLREGS rule 25 for Sailing Vessels underway and added a 135 degree stern light you would actually have 2 white stern lights, one higher than the other. A knowledgeable mariner seeing this light combination would assume that he was seeing the light pattern for a 50+ meter Vessel at anchor under the requirements of Rule 30. The knowledgeable mariner would likely not assume he was seeing the small boat underway and captained by a skipper who decided to throw up whatever light pattern struck his fancy. Vessel light patterns are intended to be meaningful and COLREGS are the law under Title 33 of the United States Code. Violation of COLREGS on the high seas doesn't carry any penalty as enforcement would be impossible. They do, however, carry great weight in Admiralty Courts. Inland there is a $5,000 fine per violation. Regards, Wayne From:Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry

If you were to be involved in a collision (or other mishap) and it was found that your incorrect display of NavLights contributed to the problem, it could bring tremendous blame your way. I think we have really discussed the case to death, but just remember that case a few years ago in California when a drunk as a skunk powerboater ran into a 27' sailboat from astern while going way to fast for conditions. The guilty party tried to claim that the sailboat's sternlight was not on (it was proven that the lights WERE on) and so he couldn't see the boat until he hit it. The court really tried hard to blame the sailors, but ultimately "saw the light" (yes, pun intended!) and turned the case against the power boater. Long story short, improper running lights are dangerous! I also remember being told that one of the top reasons that the USCG will stop and board a vessel is improper display of running lights. If you are under sail alone, but displaying the red/green sidelights with a 360deg white mast light, you are telling the world that you are a powerboat and other boats will expect you to move like a powerboat in a right of way (actually ,we know refer to give-way and stand-on vessels) situation. Of course...... I've seen far too many powerboats that were not displaying a mast light (steaming light) and always wonder how that "sailboat" is going so fast! Some do not use the 360deg light due to glare off the boat..... thus they have no lights when approached from astern! Hopefully none of us has ever tried (even by accident) to pretend we have a CATALINA, I recall that for a brief time in the 1980's (or was it early '90s?) Catalinas were coming from the factory with the combination sidelights installed upside down, thus showing red to starboard and green to port! OOPS! Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Thu, 26 May 2011 07:01:41 -0700 (PDT) Wayne Gillikin <wa… [at] yahoo.com> writes: Specific light combinations are intended to convey specific information about the nature and operation of a vessel that can not be seen. If you didn't comply with COLREGS rule 25 for Sailing Vessels underway and added a 135 degree stern light you would actually have 2 white stern lights, one higher than the other. A knowledgeable mariner seeing this light combination would assume that he was seeing the light pattern for a 50+ meter Vessel at anchor under the requirements of Rule 30. The knowledgeable mariner would likely not assume he was seeing the small boat underway and captained by a skipper who decided to throw up whatever light pattern struck his fancy. Vessel light patterns are intended to be meaningful and COLREGS are the law under Title 33 of the United States Code. Violation of COLREGS on the high seas doesn't carry any penalty as enforcement would be impossible. They do, however, carry great weight in Admiralty Courts. Inland there is a $5,000 fine per violation. Regards, Wayne From: Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat! http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210

On 5/25/2011 6:05 PM, mike farrell wrote: > Hi jerry, > My dear grandmother contributed money to the IRA so as I am > as her decendant I am not quite dis connected to direct disobedience > to unreasonable authority. I believe that lights dispalyed at night > should conform to convention. I'm from the other side of the Celtic divide but concur in your adherence to sound rules of convention. The boat is the one place in my life where I'm most orderly. Most of the time, things are done the right way for sound reasons. One sound reason is uniformity. On the schooner, we teach belaying lines exactly the same way all the time so another crew member can figure it out in the dark without seeing it. Running light rules have two purposes. One is just to be seen. The other is to convey information about what you are and where you're headed. The second purpose is confounded by a freestyle approach to lights. That's why aids to navigation are so rigidly uniform in style. On my own boats, everything has its place. Not just any place that's workable, but its own place. That way things can be found without searching or even thinking. The flashlight is _here_. The boat hook is _here_. The extra pump is up _there_. Et cetera. In _Sailing_ magazine (Sept., 1996), Daniel Hayes wrote "I mean what the hell is a boat but a small piece of organization designed to take us into chaos...." One way we deal with chaos is by being organized. An early 20th century book on sailing said "The old idea was that the officer did all the head work. He gave orders and these orders were obeyed. This is specially necessary on board a sailing ship. There is no time for individual thinking, or for committee work." Anybody who thinks that this indicates some sort of psychological pathology should look at my house, which is complete chaos. (For you neat freaks, it would confirm the suspicion of pathology). My motto is "order where necessary, disorder elsewhere." Or something like that. Don't quote me. Chris Campbell

On 5/26/2011 7:49 AM, mike farrell wrote: > Thank God now the British Queen can visit and honor the 1916 Easter > Rebellion heroes. If you reflect on it, this is very moving, isn't it? Human beings have such capacity for violence and destruction, but sometimes we can overcome it and solve problems. Twice in the 20th century the major European countries were engaged in vast wars against each other but now it's all ancient history. Tolerance is a grand virtue. > My Grandmother's maiden name in Gaelic was Lynskey ( Lynch, in english > ) it's translation is "boatman" so I guess it runs in the genes. "Campbell" must translate into "people who head into the middle of the continent" so I can't claim genetic inclinations toward seamanship. Not much better on my mother's side. Maybe that explains my random acts of stupidity afloat. Chris Campbell >

Ok ... the reason that one dose not run tri color and nav lights together is to others passer by YOU LOOK LIKE BOAT WRECK ...we went to tri color on our 29 because while watching all the boats return for 4th of July fire works in Redwood City we could see the "Bigger boats" miles away because "TRI COLORS" and those with running lights as the famous bay fog began to pour in you could not see until they were 50 or 100 feet close .... plus "Noah'S Kid" looks like a big boat far a way,,, but now also our tri color is "in opt" so we sail in with anchor light & steaming & spreaders lights all on together ..looks like XMAS TREE... but people in the resterant love it ...I think I will put a switch tri color to harbor lights (running lights) edward From: Wayne Gillikin <wa… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thu, May 26, 2011 7:01:41 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations Specific light combinations are intended to convey specific information about the nature and operation of a vessel that can not be seen. If you didn't comply with COLREGS rule 25 for Sailing Vessels underway and added a 135 degree stern light you would actually have 2 white stern lights, one higher than the other. A knowledgeable mariner seeing this light combination would assume that he was seeing the light pattern for a 50+ meter Vessel at anchor under the requirements of Rule 30. The knowledgeable mariner would likely not assume he was seeing the small boat underway and captained by a skipper who decided to throw up whatever light pattern struck his fancy. Vessel light patterns are intended to be meaningful and COLREGS are the law under Title 33 of the United States Code. Violation of COLREGS on the high seas doesn't carry any penalty as enforcement would be impossible. They do, however, carry great weight in Admiralty Courts. Inland there is a $5,000 fine per violation. Regards, Wayne From:Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry

"On my own boats, everything has its place. Not just any place that's workable, but its own place. That way things can be found without searching or even thinking. The flashlight is here. The boat hook is here. The extra pump is up there. Et cetera." During races, when somebody says "where's the -----?" I respond "Look in the sink." That's where crew members throw everything, and I am stuck with the post-sort. A habit I just can't break the huddled masses of when in the heat of the battle. On the IRA topic (including the WWs) yes, it is amazing how history creates new allies (maybe not confidants, but allies just the same). I know that in sailboat racing, a serious run-in with another boat can result the skippers branding each other as *A--holes for life - never to be comrades again. We should learn to love one another. (sailing content) Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Campbell Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 10:53 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations On 5/25/2011 6:05 PM, mike farrell wrote: Hi jerry, My dear grandmother contributed money to the IRA so as I am as her decendant I am not quite dis connected to direct disobedience to unreasonable authority. I believe that lights dispalyed at night should conform to convention. I'm from the other side of the Celtic divide but concur in your adherence to sound rules of convention. The boat is the one place in my life where I'm most orderly. Most of the time, things are done the right way for sound reasons. One sound reason is uniformity. On the schooner, we teach belaying lines exactly the same way all the time so another crew member can figure it out in the dark without seeing it. Running light rules have two purposes. One is just to be seen. The other is to convey information about what you are and where you're headed. The second purpose is confounded by a freestyle approach to lights. That's why aids to navigation are so rigidly uniform in style. On my own boats, everything has its place. Not just any place that's workable, but its own place. That way things can be found without searching or even thinking. The flashlight is here. The boat hook is here. The extra pump is up there. Et cetera. In Sailing magazine (Sept., 1996), Daniel Hayes wrote "I mean what the hell is a boat but a small piece of organization designed to take us into chaos...." One way we deal with chaos is by being organized. An early 20th century book on sailing said "The old idea was that the officer did all the head work. He gave orders and these orders were obeyed. This is specially necessary on board a sailing ship. There is no time for individual thinking, or for committee work." Anybody who thinks that this indicates some sort of psychological pathology should look at my house, which is complete chaos. (For you neat freaks, it would confirm the suspicion of pathology). My motto is "order where necessary, disorder elsewhere." Or something like that. Don't quote me. Chris Campbell

A few last items on the topic for me: 1) The original CAL 25 came through with the running lights and the steaming light on the same switch. Imagine that. Were other CALs outfitted the same way? Maybe there was no law at the time? 2) I do not like the top of mast 360 anchor lights. When going through a mooring/anchor field at night I tend to be looking for hulls/lights at eye level, not 50+ft in the air. I have always found that something like a lamp hung on the boom of other boats is much more helpful to my navigation and social awareness. 3) Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of rj… [at] juno.com Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 10:46 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations If you were to be involved in a collision (or other mishap) and it was found that your incorrect display of NavLights contributed to the problem, it could bring tremendous blame your way. I think we have really discussed the case to death, but just remember that case a few years ago in California when a drunk as a skunk powerboater ran into a 27' sailboat from astern while going way to fast for conditions. The guilty party tried to claim that the sailboat's sternlight was not on (it was proven that the lights WERE on) and so he couldn't see the boat until he hit it. The court really tried hard to blame the sailors, but ultimately "saw the light" (yes, pun intended!) and turned the case against the power boater. Long story short, improper running lights are dangerous! I also remember being told that one of the top reasons that the USCG will stop and board a vessel is improper display of running lights. If you are under sail alone, but displaying the red/green sidelights with a 360deg white mast light, you are telling the world that you are a powerboat and other boats will expect you to move like a powerboat in a right of way (actually ,we know refer to give-way and stand-on vessels) situation. Of course...... I've seen far too many powerboats that were not displaying a mast light (steaming light) and always wonder how that "sailboat" is going so fast! Some do not use the 360deg light due to glare off the boat..... thus they have no lights when approached from astern! Hopefully none of us has ever tried (even by accident) to pretend we have a CATALINA, I recall that for a brief time in the 1980's (or was it early '90s?) Catalinas were coming from the factory with the combination sidelights installed upside down, thus showing red to starboard and green to port! OOPS! Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" 1979 O'DAY DS II #10201 former co-owner of "NODROG" 1970 CAL 21 #285 On Thu, 26 May 2011 07:01:41 -0700 (PDT) Wayne Gillikin <wa… [at] yahoo.com<mailto:wa… [at] yahoo.com>> writes: Specific light combinations are intended to convey specific information about the nature and operation of a vessel that can not be seen. If you didn't comply with COLREGS rule 25 for Sailing Vessels underway and added a 135 degree stern light you would actually have 2 white stern lights, one higher than the other. A knowledgeable mariner seeing this light combination would assume that he was seeing the light pattern for a 50+ meter Vessel at anchor under the requirements of Rule 30. The knowledgeable mariner would likely not assume he was seeing the small boat underway and captained by a skipper who decided to throw up whatever light pattern struck his fancy. Vessel light patterns are intended to be meaningful and COLREGS are the law under Title 33 of the United States Code. Violation of COLREGS on the high seas doesn't carry any penalty as enforcement would be impossible. They do, however, carry great weight in Admiralty Courts. Inland there is a $5,000 fine per violation. Regards, Wayne From: Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat!<http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210>

On 5/26/2011 11:57 AM, Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: > > A few last items on the topic for me: > 1) The original CAL 25 came through with the running lights and the > steaming light on the same switch. Imagine that. Were other CALs > outfitted the same way? My Cal 20 (1967) came to me with port-stbd. and 135° (?) aft white light, all on one switch. I suspect that they were added by the original owner. My other boat (1961) has the same light arrangement, all on one switch, plus a 360° white masthead light on another switch. The only way to have forward colored lights and the 360° white and no white stern light is to cover the stern light with a bucket when it's not needed. Chris Campbell

On my 2-29 the original wiring had the stern light and bow on same switch and steamer on separate. Mark ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Campbell To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 9:41 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations On 5/26/2011 11:57 AM, Husar, Charlie [USA] wrote: A few last items on the topic for me: 1) The original CAL 25 came through with the running lights and the steaming light on the same switch. Imagine that. Were other CALs outfitted the same way? My Cal 20 (1967) came to me with port-stbd. and 135° (?) aft white light, all on one switch. I suspect that they were added by the original owner. My other boat (1961) has the same light arrangement, all on one switch, plus a 360° white masthead light on another switch. The only way to have forward colored lights and the 360° white and no white stern light is to cover the stern light with a bucket when it's not needed. Chris Campbell __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6156 (20110526) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6156 (20110526) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

Wayne, Another good reason to ditch my expensive tri-color. Now that there are LED running lights, I can afford the battery drain of multiple lights. That tricolor with its 40 watt incandescent was draining my battery out in two nights. And, for a boat my size who needs all that weight, the weight of the 12 guage wires to the top of the mast, anyway, and of course, aerodynamic drag? Now, did I ever tell you about the time I was well off shore north of San Diego having a battery that had gone dead at 1AM, meaning, no running lights? I was smart enough to figure out that I was safer where I was, in that situation, than trying to head into shore. Good thing there was a squidder out there five miles off, to light up my boat like it was broad daylight. He should have been fined for light pollution, blocking out my view of the panoramic Milky Way Galaxy. Also, good thing I had a 40 watt PV panel that I could take out from below when the fog cleared the next day, and charge the battery back up nearly full. On the other hand, how would the knowledgeable Mariner account for the mini sized 50 meter boat, the vast distance between the two white lights, one high and one disappearing under the waves, or, that I would be moving at five knots, and that, if he couldn't tell I was moving at a snail's pace, he shouldn't be running down a boat at anchor, and, finally, the fact that I would be moving away from him at five knots would give him a little more time to decide if he wants to pass me on port or starboard, in which case he would see my red or green running lights. I guess what I'm saying is it would be nice to change the Colregs for reasonable scofflaws like me. Most people don't know the basics of starboard vs. port rights, or leeward over windward, not to mention keeping clear at the buoy of the inside boat with an overlap at three boat lengths...or most importantly, don't collide with another boat no matter who has the right of way. Jerry From: Wayne Gillikin <wa… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 7:01 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations Specific light combinations are intended to convey specific information about the nature and operation of a vessel that can not be seen. If you didn't comply with COLREGS rule 25 for Sailing Vessels underway and added a 135 degree stern light you would actually have 2 white stern lights, one higher than the other. A knowledgeable mariner seeing this light combination would assume that he was seeing the light pattern for a 50+ meter Vessel at anchor under the requirements of Rule 30. The knowledgeable mariner would likely not assume he was seeing the small boat underway and captained by a skipper who decided to throw up whatever light pattern struck his fancy. Vessel light patterns are intended to be meaningful and COLREGS are the law under Title 33 of the United States Code. Violation of COLREGS on the high seas doesn't carry any penalty as enforcement would be impossible. They do, however, carry great weight in Admiralty Courts. Inland there is a $5,000 fine per violation. Regards, Wayne From:Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry

Wayne, I'd probably be safer not turning on that extra white light, since I was tooling along at 4 knots anyway on the way home, just that the sailing rules for the race down to San Diego from Marina del Rey specified a steaming light should be used if a cruiser class boat is using his motoring allowance after dark...and I had called the L.A. Coastguard office a week before the race, and the guy I talked to could see no good reason not to do that on a 24' boat.Also, my stern light was one of those Davis low draw hang up style anchor lights that was vastly weaker in intensity. Jerry From: Wayne Gillikin <wa… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 7:01 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations Specific light combinations are intended to convey specific information about the nature and operation of a vessel that can not be seen. If you didn't comply with COLREGS rule 25 for Sailing Vessels underway and added a 135 degree stern light you would actually have 2 white stern lights, one higher than the other. A knowledgeable mariner seeing this light combination would assume that he was seeing the light pattern for a 50+ meter Vessel at anchor under the requirements of Rule 30. The knowledgeable mariner would likely not assume he was seeing the small boat underway and captained by a skipper who decided to throw up whatever light pattern struck his fancy. Vessel light patterns are intended to be meaningful and COLREGS are the law under Title 33 of the United States Code. Violation of COLREGS on the high seas doesn't carry any penalty as enforcement would be impossible. They do, however, carry great weight in Admiralty Courts. Inland there is a $5,000 fine per violation. Regards, Wayne From:Gerald Sobel <so… [at] yahoo.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 1:14 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] running light combinations I'm a firm believer that you should be able to to use a tricolor with a stern mounted all around for motor sailing at night, even if no one agrees with me except a coastie who I queried in San Diego a dozen years ago, by phone. Now I will once again dodge any water balloons tossed my way. As far as the tri color getting lost in coastal light color, that's why I sail at night with a shortened mast, apporpriately shortened for a 24' boat. I say, what else could a tricolor with a small stern all around light be, but a sailboat sailing under steam? Now, if my sails were down, maybe that would be different. Right now my tri color blulb is dead, till I get around to deciding if I want to ditch it, or drop my mast and replace the bulb with an LED, meanwhile I'm using a pulpit mounted bi-color with a pushpit mounted all around, for nite sailing. Still illegal? woops. Maybe I'd better fix my old tail light then. Mainly, there's hardly anyone out there at night, at sea, any way; just a handful of commercial squidders with lights so bright you can see them ten miles away. Oh, and one or two Japanese U boats that don't know WWII is over. Those are the guys that really worry me. The only time I once got into trouble is when I sailed into MdR at midnight with a dead battery on a just bought Cal 25 using a flashlight to illuminate the sails. The Harbor Patrol didn't approve of it, as my boat was two feet too long for this too pass, especially if you have a beard, long nose, and a towel draped over your head. Oh. Did I leave out the part about this patrol boat coming along side of me, with a friend of mine that was handcuffed in the back, begging ME to try to talk them into letting him go? I thought so. Like, I was really in a position to try that? Jerry

Hi Chris, Sailors the world over have so much in common. I have spoken with other mariners by vhf radio at sea and in anchorages and ports. Of course we come from different backgrounds, different social and economic stations and a lot more. A mariner will go to the aid of another in a second, giving of himself, his time and resources with out regard of which flag is flying from the gaff. I was an adult leader for Boy Scouts of America. When we met other Scouts and Scouters from around the world and compared uniforms we could point to one decoration we all wore. Its a small blue and with badge a fleur de lis with two stars surrounded by a cord tied at the bottom with a square knot. It is the World Brotherhood badge. Arab Scouts, Buddhist Scouts, Christian Scouts and Jewish Scouts all wear this badge. It is not requiured to be worn by authority, it is a choice made by the Packs, Troops , Ships and Posts. It simply means we are all brothers and sisters on this planet. Scouts and sailors have much we can share in this world with others. Let us honor those men and women this Memorial Day who have given so much that we may enjoy the the peace freedom and liberty for which they fought and fight today. My Best, Mike F From: Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2011 8:02 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] (Mike F)IRA On 5/26/2011 7:49 AM, mike farrell wrote: > Thank God now the British Queen can visit and honor the 1916 Easter Rebellion heroes. > If you reflect on it, this is very moving, isn't it? Human beings have such capacity for violence and destruction, but sometimes we can overcome it and solve problems. Twice in the 20th century the major European countries were engaged in vast wars against each other but now it's all ancient history. Tolerance is a grand virtue. My Grandmother's maiden name in Gaelic was Lynskey ( Lynch, in english ) it's translation is "boatman" so I guess it runs in the genes. "Campbell" must translate into "people who head into the middle of the continent" so I can't claim genetic inclinations toward seamanship. Not much better on my mother's side. Maybe that explains my random acts of stupidity afloat. Chris Campbell >