So what we really have here is 25 pages about using common sense!
In my fourth year of boating, my sense is becoming ever more commoner.
How so:
In my first year, of course I turned on the anchor light when anchored.
In year two, I realized some boaters wouldn't see the anchor light since it was 28 feet above sea level. So I changed my spreader lights to LEDs and leave rhythm in also.
In my third year I realized that a few boaters, racing home after a day of fishing, may not raise their heads enough to see either my anchor light or the upper deck, illuminated by the spreader lights. SO, I added the backward and downward facing fog Iights that light the bow and hull. I turn them on when anchored near, though still out of a channel.
Also, I've never seen a large cargo ship with just the minimum lights on.
The COLREGS are about what you must do, not necessarily what you should do.