Marine Patrol

[MikeF-NH]

I have had nothing but excellent interactions with MP on Winni. Last weekend my wife and I spent the weekend on the lake and went down to Sheblys for dinner. On the way, we watched a few jet skiers jumping wakes MUCH too close to other boat including ours. I mentioned this to my wife so she understood the danger and legal issue. While eating dinner, we looked out and saw MP nab these guys just outside the bandstand. We left the restaurant 15 minutes later and he was having what looked like a pleasant interaction with another boat then he came right over to us (it was dusk). I had my nav lights on and he asked us if he could talk to use..."sure!".

Bottom line is he was VERY pleasant and stated that our anchor light on the stern was a bit low and not completely visible at 360 degrees. It was a replacement and I had it for years and thought it was just above my head but I was wrong. He treated the moment as "educational" and asked "do you have life jackets on board..."sure right under the front deck" and he said "fine...have a nice night" and was on his way.

The entire "event" from him pulling the jet skiers over to use saying good night to him was text book of what should be expected of these officers. Like everyone, I'm sure they have bad days and that some may have something to prove but I would say that as a group, NHMP is a class act and I'm glad to see them everytime I see them on the water. I think most people who are obeying the law and acting respectfully (treat others as you want to be treated) would agree.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by MikeF-NH

I think most people who are obeying the law and acting respectfully (treat others as you want to be treated) would agree.

Yup, both for MP and regular police. I've only dealt with LEO's a couple dozen or so times in my life, and I've nothing but good things to say. This includes getting pulled over and a couple dumb driving maneuvers as a kid.

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[RTTOOL]

Originally Posted by MikeF-NH

I have had nothing but excellent interactions with MP on Winni. Last weekend my wife and I spent the weekend on the lake and went down to Sheblys for dinner. On the way, we watched a few jet skiers jumping wakes MUCH too close to other boat including ours. I mentioned this to my wife so she understood the danger and legal issue. While eating dinner, we looked out and saw MP nab these guys just outside the bandstand. We left the restaurant 15 minutes later and he was having what looked like a pleasant interaction with another boat then he came right over to us (it was dusk). I had my nav lights on and he asked us if he could talk to use..."sure!".

Bottom line is he was VERY pleasant and stated that our anchor light on the stern was a bit low and not completely visible at 360 degrees. It was a replacement and I had it for years and thought it was just above my head but I was wrong. He treated the moment as "educational" and asked "do you have life jackets on board..."sure right under the front deck" and he said "fine...have a nice night" and was on his way.

The entire "event" from him pulling the jet skiers over to use saying good night to him was text book of what should be expected of these officers. Like everyone, I'm sure they have bad days and that some may have something to prove but I would say that as a group, NHMP is a class act and I'm glad to see them everytime I see them on the water. I think most people who are obeying the law and acting respectfully (treat others as you want to be treated) would agree.

The stern light doesnt have to be visible at 360 degrees under way its more like 280 degrees of light it has to be 360 degrees when at anchor.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by RTTOOL

The stern light doesnt have to be visible at 360 degrees under way its more like 280 degrees of light it has to be 360 degrees when at anchor.

Lighting requirements for boats depends on the class of the boat. For boats class A & I, the requirement is for a light that can be seen all the way around.

Here is the regulation.
(a) All motorboats, including boats propelled by outboard motors, shall while under way, carry lights with distances of visibility on clear nights shown as follows:fficeffice" />>>
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(1) For class A and I motorboats:>>
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a. A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon; and>>
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b. A combined light on the fore part of the vessel and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to throw the light from right ahead to 2 points abaft the beam of their respective sides; and>>
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(2) For class II and III motorboats:>>
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a. A bright white light in the fore part of the vessel as near the stem as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 20 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light 10 points on each side of the vessel, namely, from straight ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on either side;>>
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b. A bright white light aft to show all around the horizon, and higher than the white light forward;>>
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c. On the starboard side, a green light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from straight ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the starboard side;>>
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d. On the port side, a red light so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 10 points of the compass, so fixed as to throw the light from straight ahead to 2 points abaft the beam on the port side; and>>
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e. The side lights shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height and so set as to prevent these lights from being seen across the bow.>>
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(b) Each motorboat shall carry only the combined light or separate side lights as appropriate to its class. Additionally, one white light at the stern so constructed that it shall show an unbroken light over an area of the horizon of 12 points of the compass so fixed as to show the light 6 points from right aft on each side of the vessel.>>
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(c) When propelled by both sail and machinery a motorboat shall carry the lights required by this section for a motorboat propelled by machinery only.>>
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(d) Every white light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least 2 miles. Every colored light prescribed by this section shall be of such character as to be visible at a distance of at least one mile. The word "visible" in this paragraph, when applied to lights, means visible on a dark night with clear atmosphere.>>
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(e) Any motorboat may carry and exhibit the lights required by the federal requirements for preventing collisions at sea, 1960, International Rules of the Road, federal act of September 24, 1963, 33 USC 1051-1053, 1061-1094, 77 Stat. 194-210, as amended, in lieu of the lights required by this section.>>
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Source. #2351, eff 4-25-83; ss by #3010, eff 5-2-85; ss by #4562, eff 1-3-89; ss by #5936, INTERIM, eff 1-3-95, EXPIRES, 5-3-95 (formerly Saf-C 403.17); ss by #6005, eff 3-24-95; ss by #6092, eff 9-19-95, EXPIRED: 9-19-03>>
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New. #8107, EMERGENCY, eff 6-22-04, EXPIRES: 12-19-04; ss and moved by #8172, eff 9-21-04 (from Saf-C 403.14); ss by #10293, eff 3-20-13

[Rich]

I find that most people just refer to the white light at the back of their boat their 'anchor light'.

On my boat, I have both a stern light, and a masthead light that can double as an anchor light (in addition to the red/green side lights).

Here's an image that shows how the lights can be (I find pictures easier than reading regulations in this case):



So generically, a lot of people just refer to the white light as an anchor light. On the majority of small to average sized boats on the lake, they double as an all around light as well as an anchor light. If they are underway, they need their red/green side or bi-color lights on along with their 'anchor light' (technically it's an all around light). If they are anchored, then the red/green side or bi-color lights must be off.

On my boat, since I have a separate stern light and a 'masthead light', when I switch from 'navigation' to 'anchor' mode. the stern light turns off, and the mast head light changes from mostly forwards facing only to a 360 degree white light.

I don't think people should get too tied up in a bunch when someone says 'your anchor light must be on when underway', as in many cases, the anchor light doubles as an all around light when underway for smaller boats.

[Farfrumbehavin]

I must have been taught this but please refresh my memory. What are the definitions of the four classes of boats. Most boats, mine included would need a very long mast on the all around light to be seen form 360 deg.

[Rich]

I'm pretty sure NH follows the US Coast Guard requirements:

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/artic...quirements.asp

But an all around light must clear any obstructions, radar arch, radar antenna's, bimini's or other canvas, people in the boat, etc.

Even a single obstruction can be dangerous.

Here's the actual NH rules from: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rule.../saf-c400.html

Saf-C 403.03 Classification of Boats.

(a) For the purposes of this part, motorboats shall be classified follows:

(1) Class A shall be for motorboats less than 16 feet in length;

(2) Class I shall be for motorboats at least 16 feet but less than 26 feet in length;

(3) Class II shall be for motorboats at least 26 feet but less than 40 feet in length; and

(4) Class III shall be for motorboats at least 40 feet but less than 65 feet in length.

You can find the lighting requirements in: "Saf-C 403.15 Lights on all Motorboats" or "Saf-C 403.16 Lights on Non-Power Boats" via the link above.

Here is the NH diagram showing the lights:

[Farfrumbehavin]

Well I guess that clears things up, Thank You.

[nhboat61]

So, last weekend I saw something that picked my attention. Actually two weekends in a row,


Lately, I have been seeing a small 15' aluminum boat ( like a sea nymph) with 2 uniformed men cruising the shoreline with binoculars and pulling up to an occasional shoreline./ dock where there are people. ... Would this be Fish an game checking fishing licenses? I have just never seen this before. In my viewing area, I did not see them do any 150' or random boat checks.

This is not the typical MP boat I see.

any insight ?

FYI - I'm not on Winnie

[BroadHopper]

Fish and Game or the DES. Both are out patrolling the waters. DES would be checking for valid moorings and wetlands violations.