Forward facing white courtesy (?) light on bow

[Bart]

There is forward facing white light on the slanted fiberglass below the helm area and above the windshield on my 1992 Carver 36 aft cabin motor yacht. It has the same fixture as the transom nav light, on a short chrome pole. It isn't getting power (or maybe isn't getting ground, not sure yet/don't have that test setup).
1) is it meant to be a courtesy light for the bow when tying off lines or something?
2) where is the switch supposed to be for it, if original equipment? I don't see this light on other carvers in the marina. Should it maybe switch on with the anchor light position of the nav lights switch?
Thanks!

[km1125]

That is your mast light. It should go on with your navigation lights. It is different than your stern light, although it looks similar. It has a range or span of visibility of 225 degrees, whereas your stern light has a range or span of visibility of 135 degrees. Between the two of them, there should be a white light visible from your boat for an entire 360 degrees.

Check the bulb first and the connections to the bulb (they get corroded), then track down wiring issues.

[Viper]

Agreed

[Bart]

Thank you km1125 and viper!

[MyPleasure]

Hi, we have the same boat, viper and kn1125 are right that it’s a navigation light. Strange place to mount it, but it is your forward navigation light.