Over the waves

Making landfall in the dark it’s more than likely you’ll be looking out hard to identify lights. Unless you’re in sheltered water, there could well be a sea running that’s higher than your eye level as you sit at the helm. Height of eye sitting down may be as little as four feet in a small yacht, or eight in a big one with a centre cockpit. In either case, the extra six feet gained by standing up at the mast makes a huge difference. What appeared to be a buoy occasionally blinking might turn unto an occulting light0house if you’re high enough up to see the difference.