I don’t recall any requirement in the COLREGS that a “Masthead” light actually be at the top of a mast. And since the “Masthead light” identifies that the boat being observed is a power driven vessel, I would be kind of surprised if there was such a requirement.
Sailing Vessels display only red and green bow lights and a 135 degree white stern light (or, in the alternative a red, green and white tricolor light at the top of the tallest mast). I suppose that’s why sailors like you and I think of the white light on the front of the mast as a Steaming Light. We only turn it on when we are “steaming” and our sailboat becomes a tall power boat. The number and positions of the “masthead lights” on a power driven vessel are spelled out in the COLREGS and will indicate the length of the boat (and fore from aft). I do think they need to be the highest lights on display, but I’ve seen masthead lights affixed to a bracket on the top of the wheelhouse on a trawler, and to the strut holding the radar antenna on a tug, and those don’t count as a masts in my book. Rick Brass From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Bill Coleman via CnC-List Sent: Monday, April 04, 2016 10:18 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Bill Coleman <colt...@verizon.net> Subject: Re: Stus-List LED Nav Lights As they call this a masthead light, does this mean it is supposed to be at the very top of the mast? Mine is just above the baby stay, and is caused chafing on my Genoa. I have never seen a steaming /Deck light anywhere other than half way up the mast, does anyone have any feeling on this? BTW, the reason it is above the baby stay, is because I put track on the mast front for storing the Spinnaker Pole.
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