What is required when anchoring at night?

When anchoring at night, displaying an all-around white light is essential for visibility and safety. This requirement helps other boaters see your anchored vessel, reducing the risk of collisions. The all-around white light indicates that your vessel is at anchor, thus communicating your position to others who may be navigating in the vicinity.

In contrast, while turning on your bow and stern lights is important for vessels underway, it does not serve the same purpose as the all-around white light when at anchor. Sounding a horn signal every hour may not be a standard requirement for anchoring, and the same goes for keeping a lookout person on deck, which might be advisable in some situations but is not mandated specifically for anchoring at night. Overall, utilizing the all-around white light is the best practice to ensure safety and awareness while your vessel is anchored after dark.