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As you may have seen, some boats board an elevated black ball when at anchor. We see this a lot on big boats and yachts, but very few pleasure boaters comply with these regulations.
What's more, since the introduction of Division 240 (2008), which lays down the safety rules applicable to pleasure boating at sea on craft up to 24 m in length, this mooring ball is no longer part of the compulsory equipment to be carried on board.
This begs the question: "Is it always compulsory to set up a ball when anchored during the day?"
RIPAM takes action
Article 240-2.09 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (RIPAM) stipulates that " Pleasure craft are required to comply with the provisions made applicable, depending on the characteristics of the vessel, by Decree 77-733 of July 6, 1977 publishing the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, done at London on October 20, 1972. "
In short, all vessels, even pleasure craft, must comply with these regulations. So, if the RIPAM requires a mooring ball to be carried, it must be on board, in accordance with article 240-2.09.
What exactly does RIPAM say?
According to RIPAM rule no. 30, it is stipulated that " an anchored vessel less than 50 meters long must display, at the most visible point, a white light visible over the entire horizon or a ball.
Vessels less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor, are not required to show lights or the mark (ball), unless they are at anchor in a narrow channel, access channel or anchorage, in the vicinity? of these places, or on roads usually frequented by other vessels. "
How to set up your ball?
On a sailboat, a mooring ball is installed by hoisting it in front of the mast (often suspended by a halyard under the forestay). But on a motorboat, it's much more complicated. Depending on the boat, you'll need to find a way to make the ball visible from the bow. So complicated, in fact, that most yachtsmen don't even need to install it...
What if you don't have your ball?
Apart from the fact that you may find yourself confronted by a zealous gendarme who has the right to issue a fine (it's rare, but it happens...), the anchor ball indicates that your boat is stationary, unmaneuverable and with no one on watch.
It can also be tricky when it comes to insurance. A yachtsman who had gone ashore saw his anchored boat hit by another vessel. His insurance company declared the anchored vessel liable, as it had no mooring ball. He should then have kept an active lookout, as stipulated in the RIPAM for vessels underway... Are you going to hoist your ball at the next anchorage too?
