T&T: use of anchor balls

[Milt Baker]

Jim,

I go by the old "When in Rome . . ." rule.

Inland Rule 30 clearly requires an anchor ball, but as you note it's a rule
rarely followed by recreational vessels in the USA.  In Europe, however, I 
observed that most yachts roughly 12 meters and above display anchor balls 
when anchored.  So when we were cruising in the Med, we always hoisted the 
anchor ball shortly after anchoring.  Here in the USA, I can't recall ever 
having displayed the anchor ball.  

Bottom line: it's not really expected of yachts here. But keep in mind that 
fault-finding in admiralty law is generally done on a percentage basis, so 
if you're not following the letter of the law by displaying an anchor ball 
at anchor in the daytime and your vessel is involved in an incident that 
later requires court action, it's my guess you'd lose a few points even if 
you were otherwise not at fault.

--Milt Baker, Nordhavn 47 Bluewater, Fort Lauderdale



Jim wrote:

It's my understanding that you are required to hoist an anchor ball while at
anchor.  Is this correct?
It seems that you rarely see an anchor ball hoisted and I've had a hard time
finding one.
Just a curiosity!
Thanks, Jim