T&T: Anchor lights and my appologies

[Rudy and Jill Sechez]

My appologies for being both inaccurate and imprecise in my previous posts.
Being called on stuff like this makes me go back and review and relearn, so it is apprciated.

My concern over the legal ramifications of not showing the appropriate lights/shapes persists; our concern is documented by case law. We recognize that with any collision, all variables need to be considered, but we think that it is prudent not to take the chance that if hit, the hittee will be able to use our own failure to display the proper light/shape against us.

The anchorages that I refered to as designated anchorages I should have referred to as special anchorages- anchorages that have been so designated by the secretary of the department that the Coast Guard in under.

These special anchorages can be located in either inland or international waters, wherein a vessel of less than 20 meters is not required to show an all round white light(s). (There is nothing mentioned that removes the requirement of showing the appropriate day shape, though we've never met anyone that has indicated that anyone has bothered them about no displaying one.) 

As mentioned by another poster, special anchorage are noted on the charts and in the region's coast pilot. We have noted that some, if not all, require permission from the authority that controls them to anchor within their boundaries. The various rules that govern each anchorage is included in the coast pilot and vary from anchorage to anchorage. 

Of special note, not every special anchorage allows the anchor light to be dispensed with. One in particular, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, NC states- "nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving the vessel from... not complying with the navigational laws in regard to lights, fog signals, etc. But then too, this anchorage is restricted the the exclusive use of vessels carrying explosives.

Since we've run into anchorages in foreign countries that are similar to our special anchorages (I'm trying hard not to use terminology that may not be correct, but if I screw up, please try and understand the spirit of what is trying to be said), these anchorages can also be established by foreign countries within their territorial boundaries. The requirement for lights and shapes is probably included in the sailing directions for that area; we've just never checked since we've never wanted to anchor within one.

Boot Key harbor does require anchor lights for boats that are either anchored or on a mooring. This anchorage/mooring field has yet to be designated a special anchorage by the "secretary". 

Of possible special interest, Boot Key Harbor, if I remember correctly, though geographically "inland" is, for the purpose of navigational rules, in international waters and so are many of the other Florida Keys.

Sorry if I've caused any problems in my previous post.

Rudy
Briney Bug, Port St Joe, Fl