We've also sailed a bit in the uk where day shapes are much more commonly used. It is handy to know whether the yacht on a (distant)collision course with one sail up is motoring or sailing. They also tend to use the daytime at anchor shape more. Still, it is a bit more crowded over there.
Cheers
Bristol.
Oh, and what an officious BSO. Where a yachtie has taken reasonable steps to comply and BSO doesn't think it's quite up to the mark, a pleasant chat & advice is the go.
The BSO is quite wrong about the masthead requirement, as others have said, it's where best seen. This is a matter for each boat and each location. I've been in a situation where the cloud base / fog was 10m above my head - putting the only anchor light on top of a 20m mast would be silly. If there was a very strongly lit background at a certain elevation, an anchor light lower down may also be sensible.
Interesting that in our nearly 3 year cruise thru NSW, QLD and Tas, we've never been approached by a BSO. Surely we don't look THAT law abiding?
Cheers
Bristol
Select to expand quoteBristolfashion said..
Oh, and what an officious BSO. Where a yachtie has taken reasonable steps to comply and BSO doesn't think it's quite up to the mark, a pleasant chat & advice is the go.
The BSO is quite wrong about the masthead requirement, as others have said, it's where best seen. This is a matter for each boat and each location. I've been in a situation where the cloud base / fog was 10m above my head - putting the only anchor light on top of a 20m mast would be silly. If there was a very strongly lit background at a certain elevation, an anchor light lower down may also be sensible.
Interesting that in our nearly 3 year cruise thru NSW, QLD and Tas, we've never been approached by a BSO. Surely we don't look THAT law abiding?
Cheers
Bristol
the guy in jervis is onto everyone all the time. its like he doesnt sleep. weekdays, weekends etc...
Im just gonna print the rms info out and show him and chat to him respectfully about the anchor lights. i am going to raise it about 1 more metre though. that light of mine is so bright and it lights up the entire cockpit. on this particular day there was a few boats at longbeach and it was clear skies and full moon.
I think you are for an uphill battle there. That bso and his doings remind me of a petty tyrant.
Don't piss him off totally but a stern warning of his impossible conduct is not a bad idea, perhaps a talk to his boss is not a bad idea either, as they are public servants after all.
They are there to serve not to rule! (The animal)
Good luck, anyway. 
Steve, if your intent on arguing the point with the BSO then have a copy of colregs on hand and also the clause that says no state law will over ride colregs or any of the other regulations of the international maritime organisation (IMO) but it does state an allround white light. It's only a ride in ya bosuns chair with a cheapo light and a bit of wire and the pain will be over. Your call.
I know it's a stretch of reality but the law is an ass, at times. Today I was in my dingy tied alongside placing brushes n scrapers etc as I was preparing to dive on my little ship and thort, I should have a pfd on but I'm just about to leap over the side ???
Did you get his surname ? Did I read in an earlier post max fine 50 penalty points ? Last I looked a penalty point was $110. Of course it's the magistrates call how they apply it, then you have to pay court cost and representation fee.
im certain it will be less painful in the end to befriend the SOB, wooops BSO
Bear in mind that a light below the masthead is hidden from view when behind the mast and rigging and dodger etc.
As noted previously, an anchor light is a signal you are anchored, it isn't an illumination of your vessel. If you feel you need to be visible to avoid being run into, have a deck light on.
I've been lucky so far, every BSO I have had dealings with has been excellent.
It is a sad story, luckily l never had a problem with BSOs in my area. They were very understanding, helpful and friendly.
Every officious, meddlesome, overbearing, public servant gets my dander up, especially the ones which turned into petty tyrants. 
I destroyed one a few years ago by systematically recording his conducts after politely pushing him to his limits while recording the conversation, then launching a complaint. When they start to be rude let alone to swear at you they are done! It was undefendable years ago it is even more frowned upon this days.
Also, if he is systematically harrassing others in your area a well documented compliant launched mutually by all the involved parties might be the remedy.
Maybe one of these could help you out Steve
www.wmtw.com/article/sanford-man-puts-torpedo-up-for-sale-1496271057/9958687
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
Single mast head light even in an isolated anchoring position is very dangerous if there are street or house lights in the background. If you do use a single masthead light then for your own safety leave the spreader lights on as well. I have had several near misses over the years coming into places like Currawong where there was only one yacht anchored!
+1, mast head lights on otherwise unlit boats are the pits. when you are hit you may well be in the right, but you are nevertheless hit.
Yep a mast head light for the regs and some sort of deck lights for everyone else
