Boaters in NSW reminded to light up during darkest days

[mrsswordfisherman]

Boaters in NSW reminded to light up during darkest days

Recreational boaters across NSW are being reminded to use navigation lights on their vessels.

 NSW Maritime Executive Director, Mark Hutchings said with shorter days and colder water during winter, it is a timely reminder of the importance of displaying correct navigation lights when boating at night.

 “NSW Maritime’s Boating Safety Officers (BSOs) conduct early morning and night patrols to ensure vessels are displaying the correct lights,” Mr Hutchings said.

 “Using navigation lights helps boaters stay safe so they can avoid hazards and exercise good judgement, and reminds boaters to keep a proper lookout when visibility becomes limited or reduced.

 “Navigation lights also help boats be seen at night by other boaters, which is important in avoiding collisions.

 Mr Hutchings said the most common offence involves vessels not displaying an all-round white light correctly.

 “The height of the light is often positioned too low and its visibility is restricted by parts of the boat,” Mr Hutchings said. 

 “Boaters are required by law to display navigation lights, and the required number and combination of lights varies on the size and type of the craft.

 “When night falls, the water becomes a completely different environment. Every vessel on the water, from kayaks to sailboats to superyachts, needs lights in order to be seen.

 “Vessel lights should be mounted in a position that gives the skipper optimum night vision and allows others to see the vessel from every direction.

 “Navigation lights should also be installed correctly so they are not obscured by the vessel’s structure or mistaken for deck lights.”

 Non-compliance with navigation lighting in NSW carries a penalty of $250 or a court-imposed maximum penalty of $5500.

 Raising awareness and encouraging boaters to fit and use the required lights is in line with the Keeping a Proper Lookout priority action.

 This is one of the objectives from the Maritime Safety Plan 2017-2021 to reduce serious boating injuries and fatalities by 30 per cent by 2021 and towards zero by 2056.

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/safety-rules/rules-regulations/night-safety.html

[JonD]

I didn't see what they state to be after dark, whether it's after sunset or before sunrise or after that time period after sunset where it's still light enough to see but the sun has gone. The reason is I often Stop fishing as the sun sets, so with a 20min run home after sunset it's still light enough in my opinion not to use lights. 

My lights are stowed away and only used in emergencies as I tend not boat at night ( railblzer battery operated). 

[campr]

My understanding of the law for boats is that it's the same as for cars on the road. 

Required lights must be switched on from actual sunset to sunrise.  This has nothing to do with how light it is but the actual times as you see posted in newspapers, media etc which of course changes every day.  If you haven't got your lights on during posted hours you can be fined.   Ron 

[mrsswordfisherman]

It mentions times of reduced visibility from fog, glare, smoke or darkness to go slow and be seen. It is after sunset and before sunrise but there are other circumstances where visibility is reduced. It is all about being seen and being safe. 

[dunc333]

1 rule of  thumb we use in syd harbour is if street lights are on. boat lights are on. if fog or bad visability lights on to stay safe. common sense i reckon cheers dunc333  

[Ah Me Ting]

I'm a bit surprised by this waffle: 

"Using navigation lights helps boaters stay safe so they can avoid hazards and exercise good judgement, and reminds boaters to keep a proper lookout when visibility becomes limited or reduced..."

Huh?

How does turning on my nav lights help me avoid hazards. Avoid a collision, yes, but me avoid hazards?

Also, how do nav lights help me exercise better judgement? 

That all just sounds ridiculous. Work experience person must have been given the proof reading task.

 

[Guest Guest123456789]

2 hours ago, Ah Me Ting said:

I'm a bit surprised by this waffle: 

"Using navigation lights helps boaters stay safe so they can avoid hazards and exercise good judgement, and reminds boaters to keep a proper lookout when visibility becomes limited or reduced..."

Huh?

How does turning on my nav lights help me avoid hazards. Avoid a collision, yes, but me avoid hazards?

Also, how do nav lights help me exercise better judgement? 

That all just sounds ridiculous. Work experience person must have been given the proof reading task.

 

Turning on your nav lights helps other boaters avoid you (the hazard).