What is a steaming light? (On a sailboat)?

Question

On our panel its labelled steaming light and yet no other boats have that label on their electrical panel.

Answer 1

way to go quarter..

Answer 2

A steaming light is a clear light located on the mast of a sailboat and is used to identify a sailboat that may be using auxillary power and is used while running at night.

Answer 3

It's a white light (usually about halfway up the mast) showing forward round to 225 deg aft both sides. It must be turned on at night if you are using your engine (regardless of whether the sails are up or not). On my boat it's labelled "Engine Light".

Answer 4

A steaming light is a white light that shows 225 degrees forward when a sailboat is under power at night. It is usually at the first spreader or between 1/2 and 2/3 of the way to the masthead. In Colregs it is called the masthead light.

Answer 5

The steaming light is about 2/3 of the way up the mast, generally at the spreader. It is used while powering at night. It is not the masthead light that is used while anchoring at night. For sailing use the running lights, port, starboard and stern. If under 23 feet you need a flash light to shine in the sail if under sail.

Answer 6

This would be the 225 or 360 white at the top of the mast.

Answer 7

It can also be called a masthead light, although the name is a bit misleading. It's usually located halfway up the mast.