Latest in nav lights?

Bill D.

Bill D.

Crazy Old RO
Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
150
Messages
1,216
Saw this coming down the lagoon coming straight at me and was not sure what I was seeing. It slowed and turned before I could get a video. The picture makes thingss look lighter, it was almost full dark.IMG_1453.jpeg
 
Very common here in sofl. Along with every possible LED set up incl red underwater lights, bright cockpit lights, red overheads that from a distance look like a red running light etc etc.
 
I did not mention that there was a nimrod using a very bright spotlight as well. He even lit up another boat with it. Clueless does not come close to describing these idiots.
 
I also blame the manufacturers. They put those lights on the bow and market them as 'docking' lights but idiots use them all the time.
 
Bill D. said:
Saw this coming down the lagoon coming straight at me and was not sure what I was seeing. It slowed and turned before I could get a video. The picture makes thingss look lighter, it was almost full dark.View attachment 2327
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Bill,
This is a nightly occurrence on Lake Lanier. To add to it they also have rope lights like it some parade float.
 
I bet it is great fun backing a trailer down the ramp while one of these idiots is coming in. In all my years of owning boats I don't think I have ever needed "headlights" to dock or load on my trailer.
 
They seem more common on pontoon boats, as the flat front and relatively high forward "sides" can make determining short distances difficult for the less-seasoned mariner.

Every time a teach a boating safety class I make sure we discuss these lights and their appropriate use.
 
TheGreatEscapeII said:
Bill,
This is a nightly occurrence on Lake Lanier. To add to it they also have rope lights like it some parade float.
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I don't understand how they get away with blue lights. I thought in the state of GA only law enforcement could display blue lights.
 
GeeBee said:
I don't understand how they get away with blue lights. I thought in the state of GA only law enforcement could display blue lights.
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Actually, it's federal law - The nav rules denote that blue lights are reserved for law enforcement alone - USCG, State and local LEO; not USCG Auxiliary, not fire boats, not volunteer emergency response vessels.
 
We sometimes come upon someone like this at night and no amount of spotlight flashing makes them realize the problem they cause.
Also, along a short channel we must navigate to get into Galveston Bay there's a sharp turn midway and one of the homes has a 'fishing light' on their dock which points more out than down. When returning at night you are blinded by the super bright light. Once, by chance, I met the owners granddaughter at a fishing tourney. I pointed out the problem with the dock light and requested she ask her grandfather to change the setup. It never happened.
 
TheGreatEscapeII said:
Correct, also the USCG also release a notice about lighting that can hinder navigation light visibility. It's not enforced like it should be. It also should be enforced from the boat manufacturer aspect adding it to the vessel.

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I was still in when that got released. Problem with stuff like that is that it would require 24/7 coverage with alot more assets (both boats and people) than are available and capable. It's kinda what I like to call an "add-on charge", kinda like talking on your cell phone while driving. Illegal in just about every state without a hands free device, yet never enforced but instead added to charges after the fact if something bad happens. In most cases, these lights are not OEM, they are owner added, just like those massive lightbars (often the same brand/type) jackasses put on lifted/squatted trucks to blind the crap outta people with.
 
Problem down here in sofl is that there is zero law enforcement presence on the water at night. Come sundown and FWC, local marine patrol etc are all back at their dock.

We were out last for a cruise around the city, and I couldn’t believe the traffic, on a week night! And again many boats with missing or dim running lights, spotlights, light bars… you are it.

The worst is probable red underwater light! Looks like they ran over someone.
 
Around 2am this morning I looked out the condo windo and saw one the "parade floats" someone mentioned above with its red, blue, and purple, led lighting up the whole boat bow to stern. At least there was no traffic and they were going slow, still.....
 
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