What should you do while anchoring at night

Relying solely on radar guard-zone alarms or GPS anchor-watch alarms is not sufficient, says the Coast Guard, though this equipment should be used to augment lookout measures. It helps to have four crew available, but it can also work with as few as two. To stay awake, set your mobile phone or digital wristwatch sound an alarm at minute increments.

Crew members also need to be able to respond in an emergency, so make sure everyone knows how to start the engine s , maneuver the boat and retrieve the anchor line if, for example, another vessel approaches too closely, the anchor drags, the rode breaks or a sudden storm threatens the boat. At the very least, the lookout should awaken the captain and call on hands on deck as soon as he or she senses impending danger.

It will also means you are complying with the law. Whether it is required or not, you should have it on because it others see that you are not moving at that is hard to tell when everything is so dark. It is recommended to keep the light at the highest mast of your ship and you must make sure it is visible from all directions of your ship.

Your crew could take turns throughout the night. Plus, the U. It is most effective to have a four-man crew keeping watch and swapping responsibilities, but it can also be effective to lower that to two. This will increase your holding power by lowering the angle of the pull.

If you do anchor near another boat, make sure you take into account their and your swinging space to make sure there is no room for you to collide. Also, be sure to turn off all unnecessary lights on your vessel to save your night vision and avoid confusing other boaters.

Be aware of background lights around you. What looks like a navigation aid, buoy or marker may actually be another boat or lights on shore. Stay out of shipping lanes and give bigger boats a wide berth. Ask everyone on your boat to don life jackets and stay near the center—or remain down below in the cabin or berth—so you can easily keep track of passengers and reduce the risk of anyone falling in the water.

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