Anchor Ball?

[km1125]

Source of the post I seem to remember some sail boats with them....Lake Ontario. Really there is nowhere to put one on most power boats with the exception of trawler styles.

I wonder if it mentions distance from shore and designated anchorages being exceptions to the rule.

Designated anchorages are definitely an exception. No light or ball required (but maybe still a good idea).

[Wsullivan71]

As a professional mariner, I can assure you that all commercial vessels have these "day shapes" on board and use them. I wish that more recreational boaters would familiarize themselves with the "rules" and follow suit. It may sound trivial but it's not always easy to see a recreational vessel anchor rode from the bridge of a 200 meter oil tanker and having an anchor ball displayed when required would give me peace of mind when navigating a narrow channel.

To be specific:
Rule 20 (b) states "the rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise (and from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility.)"
Rule 20 (d) states "the rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day."

So yes, you must display an anchor ball during the day. The black ball must have a diameter of not less than 0.6 meter. In a vessel of less than 20 meters in length, shapes of lesser dimensions but commensurate with the size of the vessel may be used (straight from 72 COLREGS Annex I (6.) Shapes.

[Midnightsun]

Wsullivan71,

Good to see someone has knowledge of the elusive ball. Question for you, in my original post or post #1, I have a link where it seems to state that in 2008 there were revisions called "division 240" in that boats under 24M do not need to use the ball, is this correct? Now since all rules and laws are so poorly written one could interpret this as not required to have one on board however one must possibly be required to deploy one if one were to anchor. Then it goes on to say at "sea" is this only applicable at sea or are inland lakes and rivers not part of this rule?

since the introduction of Division 240 (2008), which sets out the safety rules applicable to pleasure boating at sea on vessels up to 24 m in length, this anchor ball is no longer part of the mandatory equipment to be carried on board.

[Wsullivan71]

Hans, your answer can be found in the article you linked:
Article 240-2.09 relating to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (RIPAM) states that " Pleasure craft are required to comply with the provisions made applicable, depending on the ship's characteristics, by Decree 77-733 of 6 July 1977 publishing the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, done at London on 20 October 1972. "

In short, ships, even pleasure craft, must comply with these regulations. Therefore, if the characteristics of the vessel require that an anchor ball be carried by the RIPAM, it must be on board in application of article 240-2.09.

The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) 1972 apply to both Inland and International waters. I guess one could argue that they never anchor if questioned about the location of their ball but I'm sure that won't go over well with the inspection team

Anyway, sorry to bore all of you...let's get back to the important stuff of getting our boats back in shape for boating season!