What is the ball for and how is it used?

[Grex110]

First, I'm struggling to figure out the rigging on the little fishing boat from Billings Boats. The diagram is not very helpful and I can't follow the lines
on the drawing. If you built the boat could I see some pix of the main mast and bow rigging. And also what is the large ball on the rigging for?

 

[woodbutcher]

The ball is an anchor ball, one of the visual daytime signals proscribed by the maritime collision regulations. This one is hoisted when the vessel is at anchor.
This is a link to a summary of the shapes used https://opanalytics.ca/courses/mod/page/view.php?id=12

I can't help about the kit's rigging, but hope the above helps.
Ken

 

[Grex110]

Thank you very much, that explains why it's there and not connected to anything functional...

that link is very helpful as well I did not know any of that information

 

[AllanKP69]

The ball is an anchor ball, one of the visual daytime signals proscribed by the maritime collision regulations.

It is great to learn something new like this. Thanks for posting!
Allan

 

[Jimsky]

Here is one in the real world;

 

[Capt Parsons]

It can also mean the Captain is aboard.

 

[seadeep]

Here is one in the real world;

View attachment 624095

Interesting. Something I didn't know before. That said, I'm surprised that the standard colour in black, as opposed to something more blatantly obvious... like red or orange. You would think that it its required for safety reasons that they would also want it to be "in your face" visible.

 

[woodbutcher]

It's not so much the colour, but the shape(s) or combinations of shapes of the silhouette. The shape needs to be unambiguous to define the vessel's situation (compared with the other symbols used for different operational scenarios) and black will stand out against any normal background such as white (ship's structure) or blue (sea or sky), or other vessel fittings behind it/them. These symbols are generally seen from a distance away so need to be distinctive to allow other vessels to take appropriate action.

Ken

 

[Pompey]

The ball is an anchor ball, one of the visual daytime signals proscribed by the maritime collision regulations. This one is hoisted when the vessel is at anchor.
This is a link to a summary of the shapes used https://opanalytics.ca/courses/mod/page/view.php?id=12

I can't help about the kit's rigging, but hope the above helps.
Ken

Hi thanks for the info [btw I think you mean 'prescribed' - proscribed means forbidden FYI]

 

[Capt Parsons]

When mast-head hoisted it signals Captain is aboard. Prow hoisted, anchored.

 

[martinjurb]

Hi, I have lots of pics when I did the rigging for my Billing Krabbencutter, . This was my first model with rigging and it took a long time to work it out.
here are a few pics, Hope they help.

 

[Grex110]

Thank you for the pix. They help. Also your build looks very nice. Thanks

 

[Grex110]

I like to thank you all for your comments and photos here is my boat basically completed.

 

[Capt Parsons]

A very nice build!

 

[martinjurb]

Great Build , love the shrimp/prawns in the processing equipment.

 

[Bryian]

That’s a nice looking model. Well done.

 

[Grex110]

thank you all for the kind words.