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Let’s face it, in comparison to anchoring in the day, anchoring at night is no Child’s play. There are many variables in play here, and you’ll have to stay on top of every one of them to ensure your vessel remains safe and steady on dark waters.
So, whether you forgot to keep track of time or you intentionally decided to explore the deep blue in the dark, we’ll be answering the question, “what must you do when anchoring at night”?
What will you learn here? Well, the essential of essentials if we do say so ourselves, some of which include steps to anchoring at night, anchoring tips, and anchoring rules you will need to know.
What are the Steps of Anchoring at Night? Tips to Consider
We’ve broken down this section of the article into two parts. First, you’ll learn step-by-step principles to anchoring at night. Next, we’ll give you pro tips you should never forget.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Anchor at Night
All you need to anchor your boat successfully at night is in these steps, follow them, and you’ll have a pleasant time when you anchor at night.
Step 1: Pick the Right Spot
Knowing the best location to anchor for the night is a crucial first step to anchoring. This, you must do by viewing the waters from the very top of the bridge.
The right location to anchor for the night should be a spot you understand pretty well. You should be able to tell the direction of the wind, the depth of the water, and the type of seabed. We advise that you stick to a sandy seabed; when compared to other seabeds with rocks, corals, weeds, or the muddy one’s we’ve found that they offer the best holding ground for your anchor.
Lest we forget, the depth of the water will determine how many lengths of chain you will need to release into the water. We follow the 7:1 rule; if the water is 10m deep, release 70m of the anchor chain. However, if the weather is windy, to be safe, you should consider the 10 to 1 ratio when releasing the anchor chain.
Step 2: Drop the Anchor to the Waterline
Once you have the right spot locked down, position the yacht so that the nose is facing the direction of the wind. Only then can you proceed to bring the boat to a halt. Once halted, lower the anchor to the waterline. Ensure the chain counter is set to zero so that you can start reading the depth from the waterline.
For those who don’t know how to release and drop the anchor to the waterline, do this. First, ensure that the gypsy wheel and manual brake are locked and then release the devil’s claw to release the anchor. After successfully doing this, rotate the windlass and release the brake to drop the anchor.
Step 3: Drop the Anchor to the Seabed
Once the anchor gets to the waterline, you’ll need to apply the brake again so that the windlass can be free of the capstan. To free the capstan’s windlass, unscrew it. Next, release the brake and wait until the anchor reaches the seabed.
You will be able to tell that the chain has hit the seabed once the release speed reduces. Wait until you achieve the desired chain to water depth ratio before applying your brakes again to stop the release of the anchor chain.
Step 4: Secure the Vessel
Now it’s time to secure the vessel. How do you do that? Let’s break it down for you.
First, reverse the boat, switch off the engine and ensure the vessel is not moving. Once you notice that it is stable and you are not dragging the anchor, please switch off the boat’s navigation light and switch on its anchor lights.
Want to learn how an anchor works? Check out our guide here.
Tips To Consider When Anchoring at Night
Here are five pro tips to consider and remember if you need to anchor your boat overnight
- When anchoring a boat, as tempting as it may seem, ensure you anchor from both the bow and not the stern to prevent it from capsizing or swamping.
- Before anchoring at night, check to ensure that the area has enough swinging space for your vessel. Also, check that the site has low wind and boat traffic. Lastly, check and confirm the structure of the seabed.
- If you have to manage the space in between two boats, to keep your boat steady, use a sentinel to support the main anchor
- It is imperative that you calculate the seabed depth before calculating the length of the rode (anchor cable) you will let out.
- After successfully dropping your anchor, do not forget to set reference points or local landmarks. Once you have the reference points down, use them to set your compass and the boat’s alarm according to the compass. This way, if anything changes your position, the alarm will alert you.
Rules You Must Follow When Anchoring at Night
These are golden rules you should never forget when anchoring for the night. These rules will save you from getting into trouble with the coast guard and prevent you from making enemies at the anchorage.
The Anchor Lights Rule
It is crucial that you turn on and keep your anchor lights on at night. It is best you position these lights at the highest mast on the ship and ensure that it is visible from every angle.
The Lookout Rule
Rule 5 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea states that someone must always be on lookout duty when anchoring at night. This means there must be someone to monitor the vessel by sight and hearing. The rules further states that it is not enough to rely on guard zone alarms.
The 50Feet Rule
When anchoring at night, do not anchor within 50feet of another boat. The first boat to arrive at the harbor takes priority over others that come later. Ensure you leave enough swinging space for other crafts, and remember that bigger ships have a slower swing but a larger arc. Also, do not forget that boats that pack a lot of windage swing faster in high wind scenarios.
The Anchor Ball Rule
Last but also very crucial when anchoring at night is the anchor ball rule. It would be best to always display an anchor ball; (usually black and 60cm in diameter) to notify other passing vessels of the anchor in front of your boat. These vessels will be able to tell the depth and position of the anchor.
What Lights Should Be Displayed When Anchored at Night?
While anchored at night, you need to display an all-round white light. This light needs to be visible from all directions. In addition to this, the number of lights will also depend on the size of the boat. Fifty meters vessels will benefit from two round lights. The forward one should be higher than the light at the rear.
Finally, if the vessel is more than 100 meters, you should ensure the decks are also adequately illuminated.
What Should You Not Do When Anchoring at Night?
Don’t do these things when anchoring at night, and your night anchoring experience will be pleasant.
- Never display your red and green sidelights while anchored at night. Displaying these lights is an indication that your boat is unanchored and you are underway.
- Do not invade into an already claimed space when anchoring for the night; this will also include not respecting the swing space of other vessels.
- Try as much as you can to avoid making noise when anchoring for the night. This is proper anchoring etiquette, and it helps you avoid creating unwanted enemies with your neighbors.
