Blue Accent Lighting

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by joey2665

Called back to question the bow lights and it is JUST the stern lights that need to be on while anchored and using you accent light. This makes much more sense.

OK, now THAT makes sense! So standard boating laws and accent lighting good while anchored but not while underway...Sounds good to me!

Thank you for getting the info and clarifying!

Dan

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

OK, now THAT makes sense! So standard boating laws and accent lighting good while anchored but not while underway...Sounds good to me!

Thank you for getting the info and clarifying!

Dan

Anytime Dan. Have a great night.

[Patofnaud]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

not while underway...
Dan

I didn't see that in Hill's response. Only the 'while anchored' part, which I fully agree with. The anchor light is an anchor light. Nav lights are while navigating. It's the 'while moving' that is clear as mud.

Whatever MP decides, they really need to just post/print/carrier pidgeon one concise easy to read rule without 15 RSA's referred to. Whenever I turn mine on, even when docked, I feel like I am about to get a ticket or warning.

[Rusty]

It is so confusing that it makes me want to eat a large box of Cheez-its.

[tis]

Rusty, as long as you don't give any to those damn geese!!!!--------

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by tis

Rusty, as long as you don't give any to those damn geese!!!!--------

I won't tis, FLL keeps the "damn geese" satisfied with them. Burp! Whoops, sorry I ate too many cheez-its.

[correric12]

Thank you for all the research, discussion and input.

[correric12]

I received Input from Marine Patrol and wanted to share: This provides some decent clarity. - Thank you to Captain Tim for the timely and thorough explanation of the interpretation. Answers in Blue

Good Afternoon Marine Patrol. I wanted to ask if I could get some clarity on the proper usage of the lighting that our new boat will be equipped with.

We have recently purchased a new boat which will be delivered to us in the spring. It is equipped with blue accent and underwater lighting,

It has an arch which has 2 accent over head lights that shine down into the cockpit of the boat. Can these be used while underway at night on the lake? Can they be used while floating on the lake at night? Or only while docking? No other lighting that can be mistaken for navigation lights can be displayed while underway. Typically, all cabin lights should be extinguished with the exception of dashboard lights while underway so the operator’s night vision is not impacted by their own boat’s ambient lighting. Furthermore, any lights that can be mistaken as law enforcement, fire, or other emergency lighting (typically flashing) is illegal.

It has exterior blue lighting in vent panels on the side of the boat. Can these be used while underway at night on the lake? Can they be used while floating on the lake at night? Or only while docking? If they are on the exterior of the boat, likely only for docking if extra lighting is necessary. There is no need to display exterior lighting outside of the vessel beyond navigation lights.


It has blue underwater lighting. As we are avid boaters today and are regularly on the lake during the summer day and night. With this new trend in boating we often find it remarkable how much better a boat is identified on the lake at night while underway with rear facing underwater lights but have heard that the use of them while away from a dock is illegal. Can these be used while underway at night on the lake? Can they be used while floating on the lake at night? Or only while docking? While docked or at anchor only.

I assume the anchor light must be displayed as well when anchored with underwater lighting on. The anchor light must absolutely be displayed any time at anchor.

Can the side accent lights be displayed along with underwater lighting while anchored at night. As far as panel lights, they would be ok as long as they are not so bright that they overpower the lights required by law or blinds the night vision of other boats.

[noreast]

That's exactly what they told me 2 years ago. I know there's been some ify responses in the past but that's the rule, Some People really want to hear a different answer so they'll keep asking.

[MAXUM]

I don't get why these are even put on in the first place, they seem rather silly and certainly look cheesy. Some interior accent lighting is nice and I get that but the exterior/underwater stuff, eh I wouldn't want to look like I just came off an episode of "Pimp my barge".

Guess everyone has their opinions!

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

I don't get why these are even put on in the first place, they seem rather silly and certainly look cheesy. Some interior accent lighting is nice and I get that but the exterior/underwater stuff, eh I wouldn't want to look like I just came off an episode of "Pimp my barge".

Guess everyone has their opinions!

You and I haven't seemed to agree on much socially or politically, but when it comes to exterior naval lighting, we're on the same page!

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[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

I don't get why these are even put on in the first place, they seem rather silly and certainly look cheesy. Some interior accent lighting is nice and I get that but the exterior/underwater stuff, eh I wouldn't want to look like I just came off an episode of "Pimp my barge".

Guess everyone has their opinions!

They came on a boat that we bought from a dealer...it is nice to see the effect they have and if used as intended (docked/anchored),
I don't think they are obtrusive or offensive (as other air/noise/water) pollutants out there.
To each his own...

[ishoot308]

I think the underwater lighting is nice and serves a purpose when swimming at night around your boat. To use them while underway serves no purpose whatsoever and I am glad they are not allowed while underway.

The interior mood lighting (below playpen area) is awesome and allows people on the boat to see at night. They do not affect the Captains night vision whatsoever and really can’t be seen by other boaters.

Dan

[noreast]

I agree with all of that, I have them everywhere and love the interior blue, The outside lights are great at night at the dock, nobody needs extra lights while underway.

[garysanfran]

Not seen them, but it seems these lights at night would be cool. I'd like to see an underwater video at night with people swimming.

However, I can see where some people enjoying a quiet dark night view from their places and then having a boat anchored in front with lights on might be annoying.

[MAXUM]

I've actually seen people at night tooling around with the exterior and underwater blue lights on - in fact at last year's fireworks display in Ctr Harbor there were a number of barges that had them on and the MP guys did not seem interested in addressing their use while underway. Now could be under the circumstances due to the crowds and so forth they had enough to worry about but I would have thought that if this was "illegal" they would have at least driven by and told those using them to shut them off.

I'm sure most folks that have these installed don't really know they shouldn't use them underway. Just a matter of education.

[Hillcountry]

So...respectfully, what exactly is your problem with pontoon boats? You keep using the word “barge” to describe what a lot of folks think is an enjoyable and fun craft for a lake environment. Certainly, these boats can rival anything on the water in looks, quality, and cost...just curious about your obvious bias against them.

[Descant]

Some of us prefer to swim in the dark. Lights off, please.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C2WpZA_L4E

[Descant]

Originally Posted by Descant

Some of us prefer to swim in the dark. Lights off, please.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C2WpZA_L4E

I apologize. This was not the link I intended to post. We re now past the discussion, so the correct link will not be needed.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

So...respectfully, what exactly is your problem with pontoon boats? You keep using the word “barge” to describe what a lot of folks think is an enjoyable and fun craft for a lake environment. Certainly, these boats can rival anything on the water in looks, quality, and cost...just curious about your obvious bias against them.

Respectfully - let's not overstate what I've said, or NOT said.

I'm not trying to insulting anyone, I just call them party barges cause that's what they were called when they first came out. I apologize profusely if "party barge" is now considered a derogatory label.

I don't have a problem with them, never said I did, in fact the ones hitting the market these days are very nicely appointed and arguably a pretty sweet floating living room. Still think the exterior lighting is cheesy, which I might add shows zero bias one way or another towards them just one particular option some come with now. You really need to lighten up a bit (no pun intended, and please enjoy responsibly)

Finally I just happened to mention the use of exterior lights at the fireworks just as an anecdotal observation considering there were a number of MP there doing their usual thing and figured that if in fact this was illegal they didn't seem terribly concerned about addressing it. I figured this observation might add to the conversation is all. I never said or saw or even suggested any of these folks were being rude, obnoxious, unsafe in any way.

I have seen bad captains behind the helm of just about every boat type there is out there. It's not the boat that's the problem it's the meatheads at the controls.

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

Respectfully - let's not overstate what I've said, or NOT said.

I'm not trying to insulting anyone, I just call them party barges cause that's what they were called when they first came out. I apologize profusely if "party barge" is now considered a derogatory label.

I don't have a problem with them, never said I did, in fact the ones hitting the market these days are very nicely appointed and arguably a pretty sweet floating living room. Still think the exterior lighting is cheesy, which I might add shows zero bias one way or another towards them just one particular option some come with now. You really need to lighten up a bit (no pun intended, and please enjoy responsibly)

Finally I just happened to mention the use of exterior lights at the fireworks just as an anecdotal observation considering there were a number of MP there doing their usual thing and figured that if in fact this was illegal they didn't seem terribly concerned about addressing it. I figured this observation might add to the conversation is all. I never said or saw or even suggested any of these folks were being rude, obnoxious, unsafe in any way.

I have seen bad captains behind the helm of just about every boat type there is out there. It's not the boat that's the problem it's the meatheads at the controls.

Can’t argue with your last sentence! For sure, lots of meatheads out there!
Oh, and I won’t “lighten up” either...except when anchored of course!

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

I'm not trying to insulting anyone, I just call them party barges cause that's what they were called when they first came out. .

WOW !

They've always been "Party Barges" to us as well !!

What's the new PC term ? ( I'm sure after you tell me I'll continue with calling them Party Barges, but it might be nice to know !)

.

[Patofnaud]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

in fact at last year's fireworks display in Ctr Harbor there were a number of barges that had them on and the MP guys did not seem interested in addressing their use while underway.

I was there. I was one of them at anchor with mine on but turned them off when I was underway. I saw that a lot had them on underway and figured the MP left them alone because they had better things to do.

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

I've actually seen people at night tooling around with the exterior and underwater blue lights on - in fact at last year's fireworks display in Ctr Harbor there were a number of barges that had them on and the MP guys did not seem interested in addressing their use while underway. Now could be under the circumstances due to the crowds and so forth they had enough to worry about but I would have thought that if this was "illegal" they would have at least driven by and told those using them to shut them off.

I'm sure most folks that have these installed don't really know they shouldn't use them underway. Just a matter of education.

I notice the same shenanigan at the Meredith fireworks display! Funny thing the 'barge' owners swear that the GFBL crowd are bad, they are worst!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I notice the same shenanigan at the Meredith fireworks display! Funny thing the 'barge' owners swear that the GFBL crowd are bad, they are worst!

“They are the worst”

You just insulted about 2/3rds of the boaters on the lake and many on this forum. Does that make you feel good? Do you feel superior with your fiberglass formula?...and since when do pontoon owners ever bad mouth the performance boat owners either here or anywhere for that matter? Many pontoon owners came from performance boats but you already knew that...

Think before you type!

Dan

[joey2665]

Originally Posted by noreast

That's exactly what they told me 2 years ago. I know there's been some ify responses in the past but that's the rule, Some People really want to hear a different answer so they'll keep asking.

The problem is that it is not a law it is currently just a consensus opinion of the marine patrol officers.


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