Strictly speaking, it should be “tricolor/anchor light at the masthead”.

 

The definition of a “masthead” light (Rule 21a): 

“Masthead light” means a white light placed over the fore and aft centerline of 
the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees 
and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the 
beam on either side of the vessel. 

 

I do wish it were called a “steaming light”, which would be so much less 
confusing. But the lights are used to identify vessel size and direction of 
travel, as well as used in circumstances other than “steaming” so I do 
understand there might be resistance to using that term.

 

Anyway – it isn’t legal to show both the lights of a power boat 
(red/green/stern/masthead) and the lights of a sailboat (masthead tricolor) at 
the same.  I suspect the Coasties would never pull you over and write you a 
ticket if you did it. Though I can see that a Coastie with an attitude and time 
on his hands might use the lights a reason to pull you over for a safety 
inspection.

 

Rick Brass

Washington, NC

 

 

 

From: CnC-List [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joel Aronson 
via CnC-List
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 10:21 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Joel Aronson <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Stus-List Electrical Question

 

So if you have a combo tricolor/anchor masthead light and you are under power 
should they both be on?

 

Joel

 

 

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