Night Boating

[Presentation]

Doug, I think the Wisconsin pamphlet is in error and you should check the actual statute. There is no way a state can contradict Federal Law, except to make it more restrictive. See Colregs Rule 30: there is no mention of 200' from shore. Also, a vessel that is drifting is under way and must display the required running lights.

Please read this that I am asking, not arguing……..because I don’t know the answer. I did go to the site you listed. The verbiage went on and on.

Swim platforms are common around here. I have no idea if they exist anywhere else in the world.

A swim platform is a floating object, normally made from wood and square, around 8’ x 8’, or so in size, with some barrels beneath them for buoyancy. They often have a ladder on one side to make boarding from the water easy. They are not connected to shore.

You swim out to them, climb onboard, catch some rays, jump off, climb back on, or just relax. People put them out in front of their lakefront homes all over the place in Wisconsin.

I’ve never seen one with a light.

Do they have swim platforms where you boat? If yes, are they in violation of rule 30?

 

[Sea Gull]

Please read this that I am asking, not arguing……..because I don’t know the answer. I did go to the site you listed. The verbiage went on and on.

Do they have swim platforms where you boat? If yes, are they in violation of rule 30?

First of all I didn't list a web site. Are you talking about the verbiage in the navigation rules?

Second, what you are describing is a dock not a vessel. Acording to the rules: The word "vessel" includes every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft [Intl], and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. A "swim platform" or dock, as we call them, doesn't qualify becuase it is not used as a means of transportation.

 

[Presentation]

Hi Sea Gull,

OK, I just got off the phone with the Wisconsin DNR. I called the Green Bay WI DNR office 920-662-5100. Per the person at the DNR, the federal rules apply in federal waters, the state rules apply in instate waters.

 

[Sea Gull]

Rule 1(a) These rules apply to all vessels upon the inland waters of the United States, and to vessels of the United States on the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes to the extent that there is no conflict with Canadian law.

Since Lake Winnegago connects to Lake Michigan, I cannot see how Federal rules could be ignored.

 

[Sea Gull]

Further investigation shows that Winnebago is NOT under Federal jurisdiction. Normally any body of water that navigably connects to the oceans would be subject to Federal Law, but Winnebago is an exception. Sorry for my confusion.

 

[wickeral]

Learn to use your Chart Plotter during the day and it will serve you well at night. Onboard Lights will ruin your Night Vision. Running Lights only! And PLEASE do not use a High Power Spot Light to search for Bouys etc. It may be good for you but many times you Blind your fellow boaters. Local knowledge is a must for knowing where you are. Choose a Full Moon for your first run. Al W.

 

[Four Suns]

I do agree and try to use what Garry and Frank are suggesting on minimum usage of search light. But, I have a question on how do you guys find those non marked buoys in small chanels leading to a marina or even lobster buoys? For example a chanel to my marina has a number of non marked buoys (floating cans). They're not showing up on my chart. So the only way I can see them is by giving a quick (few seconds) burst of light moving from one sode to another. Do you see such buoys on your radar (I don't have one)?

The way I helped resolve this for chanel going to our marina, during the day I came close to each buoy and marked it on my chartplotter. So, now I now where those buoys are and light in not needed so often. The small issue still remains since GPS in on delay with 12'+ error margine. Our chanel is only 20-30' wide. So, if I only go by GPS I could not guaranty 100% exact position and happen to be out of the chanel.

How do you handle this?

Thanks,
Alex.

My radar doesn't detect birds sitting on the water, crab pots, or fish stakes. Most buoys (even small ones) and daymarkers have reflective tape on them and they show up on radar well. Also, I'm not talking about small segments of running at night coming into a marina. I'm talking about most waterways that are marked and not "private aids". I don't think I would be going into Fairlee Creek (which is all private aides and 25 feet apart) for the first time here on the bay at night. I would ground the boat. There's nothing wrong with a spot light in that instance. However, running down public channels and waterways with spot lights and head lights blasting is nonsense.

With respect to the guy sitting in the channel in the middle of the night with no light on?.. Darwin Award. Drifting boats need running lights on and anchored boats need anchor lights on. I'm sure you don't drive 2 mph down the Interstate at night with a handheld spotlight just in case an old lady is laying in the middle of the road sleeping or bagging raccoons for dinner... but then again... maybe you do! Also, metal Jon boats are very easy to see on the radar.

 

[gerryb]

Starting doing some night boating this year after upgrading my gps, MFD and radar. One recommendation I would make is to get into the habit of marking buoys, daymarkers, private aids, etc. on your chartplotter whenever you pass one during the day. This will help you know what is coming when you are out at night. ALso, I have learned to use the radar at night to help pickout things that are outside the range of sight - I then steer clear or use the spot light to examine if I am closer. Using saved tracks also is a big help. I think the answer is to learn to use all the tools to ensure a safe trip when out in the dark.

My only real frustration is that other boaters can't see what finger I have up when I see them running with their massive aft fishing lights on, spot light constantly on, no navigation lights, going too fast in a no wake zone, etc. Some crazy things happen out there in the dark, that's for sure.

 

[comsnark]

I boat on the intercostal water way in N.J. There is far too much light polution around to develop good light pollution. There is a bridge that I pass under regularly on my night travels that is VERY well lit.

I am often on plane. Yeah, I am way overdriving my night vision when I do that. When doing that, it is ESSENTIAL to (1) know EXACTLY where your are, (I use a combination of a good chartplotter and local knowledge) and to (2) know EXACTLY where every thing else is.

Day marks, no-wake bouys, and unlit nav markers are a real hazard when moving at night. I make a point to have EVERYTHING logged into my chartplotter. I do this during the day early in the season. I make a point not to go into "new" waters for the first time at night. Yeah, I slow down frequently as I approch a "hazard". I trust my GPS to tell me the general area of an ubstruction. . .but if I come closer than 500', I want to put my eyeballs on the object.

Putting eyeballs on an object generally requires a spotlight (for me). If I am doing good, I can have the spot pointed at the object before I turn it on. Then it just "lights up" when I turn on the spot, at which point I turn it off. It really impresses my guests and makes me feel good. Often, I am NOT doing good, in which case I have EVERYONE looking for the *$&#$* nav-mark. Working the spotlight to find a mark is only 50% effecive, because of the blinding aspects. Makes everyone appreciate how much work I do behind the helm. Win-Win.

I rarely see other boats that are unlit. . .but I have do see them occassionaly. Idiots. As I have stated before, sailboats are a mixed bag. They don't have a high white light when sailing. This makes them hard to spot, especially when heeling. I would say that a high percentage that run with at least one white light on the mast when sailing. Not "legal" per say. . .but sure makes them easier to spot; which I appreciate. Some run the white light PLUS a mast head anchor light. OK. . .that's overkill. (When sailing, I also run the white lite on the mast. . not "legal" per say. . but I like being seen when underway).

 

[water rat]

I'm glad I started this thread - continuous good conversation!

 

[comsnark]

So I was out last night . . . .

1) It's one thing to have an unlit intercostal marker. It's another to put an unlit "no wake bouy" on the Channel side of the unlit marker. Geez. It annoyed the heck out of me.

2) I ended up following a State Police boat at 40mph for a five mile stretch of the intercoastal (Mantaloking bridge to Rt37 bridge) . My motivation was two fold; First, I needed some high speed run time -> I am starting to foul props late in the season, just like last year (so it was a struggle. . .). Second . . .crossing the wake every once in a while was fun -> Haven't been on the jet ski for a few weeks.

But to the point. . I noticed that his boat had one of those new LED Blue/White nav lights on top. I definately don't like these lights. They are too close in color to those bluish/white street lights that litter the shore. From a 1/2 mile behind, the only way you can distinguish the boat from the shore is the movement. NOT GOOD. A standard White light is much easier to distinguish from anything on the shore clutter.