Skippers on Canyon Lake rarely use the Bell/Whistle/Horn Rules.  The two exceptions should be:  (1) One long blast when exiting the slip.  (2)  Five short blasts for danger.

Running lights for power vessels include:  Sidelights, 112.5 degree, red to port and green to starboard plus an elevated 360 degree white light or a 225 degree forward facing white masthead  (steaming) light plus a 135 degree white sternlight. 

Sailboats under power must display the red and green sidelights, a white masthead light and a white sternlight.  Sailboats under sail alone display only the red and green sidelights and the sternlight.  The term masthead light is a misnomer for sailboats as this light is usually at the level of the spreaders mid-mast. Beware, very small sailboats or row boats may display only a 360 degree white light. 

Vessels anchored display only a 360 degree white anchor light.  For sailboats, the anchor light is usually at the top of the mast.  My military background provides the memory tool for sidelight colors…Rocket Propelled Grenades  (RPGs) or Red Port-Green Starboard.

At night, your vessel’s lights tell other skippers your relationship to them and determine “right of way.”  Some skippers on Canyon Lake suffer from the “Christmas Tree Syndrome” as well as the “Empty Coconut Syndrome.”  Some display every light possible when under way in hope of being seen at night.  Some display no lights.  Sailors, when under way by sail alone at night, please keep the masthead (steaming) light and anchor light off.  Display only your sidelights and stern- light.  Only this running light display indicates SAILBOAT UNDER SAIL to other skippers.

Its critical to use your eyes and ears after sunset.  Increase lookouts!  On the lake at night, humidity is up and sound travels well.  Reduce the volume of music and noise on your boat at night.  Sailors have a keen advantage with the engine off.  Listen for the sounds of other vessels, movement of water, sounds of rigging, talking, music and engines.  Your night vision is enhanced by using red cabin and work lights.  Avoid looking directly at any bright white light.  Keep your white spotlight off unless absolutely necessary.  Don’t look at car headlights in the parks.  Nurture your night vision.  The anatomy of the eye makes using your peripheral vision exceptionally effective at night.  When trying to see a faint object in the dark, do not focus directly at that object, but turn your head slightly away from it so that it is better perceived by your lateral peripheral vision.  A vessel’s lights superimposed on a background shore lights are sometimes difficult to see and follow.  Most shore lights are white.  Red or green lights suggest a vessel.  A moving light suggests a vessel.  The sails of other sailboats often block sections of background shore lights.  So watch for moving occluded sections of shoreline lights.  Lights moving low along the horizon suggest a vessel.  Harder to pick out from the background shore lights are white anchor and masthead (steaming) lights that are above the horizon.  Also, be aware of the new combination lights (red & green sidelights and white sternlight) atop the mast of some new sailboats.

If a vessel comes uncomfortably close, shine a light on your sails or sound the danger signal with your horn and maneuver clear. Remembering the General Prudential Rule, avoid a collision.  If a collision with injury occurs at night, you may not care what lights you were displaying, but I can assure you that the attorneys and the insurance companies will.  The topic of green may apply to more than running lights.

Be SOLD on safety on Canyon Lake!

Sarah & Bill Morlang

MYTURN III