Lights

Definitions

Light definitions

(a) "Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore-and-aft centreline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225° and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.

(b) "Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5° and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5° abaft the beam on its respective side. In a vessel of less than 20 m in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore-and-aft centreline of the vessel.

(c) "Sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135° and so fixed as to show the light 67.5° from right aft on each side of the vessel.

(d) "Towing light" means a yellow light having the same characteristics as the sternlight defined in paragraph (c) of this Rule.

(e) "All-round light" means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360°.

(f) "Flashing light" means a light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.

Visibility of lights

Visibility of lights in vessels over 50 m

Visibility of lights in vessels over 12 m and under 50 m

Visibility of lights in vessels under 12 m

Power-driven vessels underway

A power-driven vessel under 50 m underway

In accordance with Rule 23 (a), a power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

(i) a masthead light forward;

(iii) sidelights

(iv) a sternlight

A power-driven vessel over 50 m underway

In accordance with Rule 23 (a), a power-driven vessel underway, shall exhibit:

(i) a masthead light forward;

(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one;

(iii) sidelights

(iv) a sternlight

An air-cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode

In accordance with Rule 23 (b), an air-cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in Rule 23 (a), exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light.

A power-driven vessel under 12 m underway

In accordance with Rule 23 (d)(i), a power-driven vessel of less than 12 m in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in Rule 23 (a) exhibit:

(i) an all-round white light and

(ii) sidelights

A power-driven vessel under 7 m and maximum speed up to 7 knots underway

In accordance with Rule 23 (d)(ii), a power-driven vessel of less than 7 m in length whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights prescribed in Rule 23 (a) exhibit:

- an all-round white light and

- shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights

Towing and pushing

A power-driven vessel under 50m towing, length of the tow under 200 m

In accordance with Rule 24 (a), a power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:

(i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23 (a)(i) or (a)(ii), two masthead lights in a vertical line;

(ii) sidelights

(iii) a sternlight

(iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight

In accordance with Rule 24 (e), a vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in Rule 24 (g), shall exhibit:

(i) sidelights

(ii) a sternlight

A power-driven vessel under 50m towing, length of the tow over 200 m

In accordance with Rule 24 (a), a power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:

(i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a)(i) or (a)(ii), three masthead lights in a vertical line;

(ii) sidelights

(iii) a sternlight

(iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight

In accordance with Rule 24 (e), a vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in Rule 24 (g), shall exhibit:

(i) sidelights

(ii) a sternlight

A power-driven vessel over 50m towing, length of the tow under 200 m

In accordance with Rule 24 (a), a power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:

(i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23 (a)(i) or (a)(ii), two masthead lights in a vertical line;

(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one;

(iii) sidelights

(iv) a sternlight

(v) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight

In accordance with Rule 24 (e), a vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in Rule 24 (g), shall exhibit:

(i) sidelights

(ii) a sternlight

A power-driven vessel over 50m towing, length of the tow over 200 m

In accordance with Rule 24 (a), a power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:

(i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a)(i) or (a)(ii), three masthead lights in a vertical line;

(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one;

(iii) sidelights

(iv) a sternlight

(v) a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight

In accordance with Rule 24 (e), a vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in Rule 24 (g), shall exhibit:

(i) sidelights

(ii) a sternlight

Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars

A sailing vessel underway - additional two all-round lights

In accordance with Rule 25 (c), a sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in Rule 25 (a) exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green, but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by Rule 25 (b).

A sailing vessel under 20 m underway

In accordance with Rule 25 (b), in a sailing vessel underway of less than 20 metres in length the lights prescribed in Rule 25 (a) may be combined in one lantern at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.

A sailing vessel under 7 m underway

In accordance with Rule 25 (d) (i), a sailing vessel underway of less than 7 m in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 25 (a) or (b), but if she does not, she shall have ready to hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.

Fishing vessels

A vessel engaged in trawling when making way through the water

In accordance with Rule 26 (b), a vessel when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a fishing appliance, shall exhibit:

(i) two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white;

(ii) a masthead light abaft of and higher that the all-round green light;

(iii) sidelights and a sternlight.

In accordance with Rule 26 (b) (ii), a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit a masthead light but may do so.

A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling when making way through the water

In accordance with Rule 26 (a), a vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in Rule 26.

In accordance with Rule 26 (c), a vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit:

(i) two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white;

(iii) sidelights and a sternlight.

Vessels NUC or restricted in their ability

A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when making way through the water

In accordance with Rule 27 (b), a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit:

(i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;

(iii) a masthead light or lights, sidelights and a sternlight

A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations underway

In accordance with Rule 27 (f), a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations shall in addition to the lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel in Rule 23, exhibit three all-round green lights. One of these lights shall be exhibited near the foremast head and one at each end of the fore yard. These lights indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel to approach within 1000 m of the mine clearance vessel.

In accordance with Rule 23 (a), a power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

(i) a masthead light forward;

(ii) a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one;

(iii) sidelights

(iv) a sternlight

Vessels constrained by their draught

A vessel constrained by her draught under 50 m underway

In accordance with Rule 28, a vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23, exhibit where they can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line.

In accordance with Rule 23 (a), a power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

(i) a masthead light forward;

(iii) sidelights

(iv) a sternlight

In accordance with Rule 23 (a)(ii), a power-driven vessel of less than 50 m in length shall not be obliged to exhibit a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one but may do so.

Pilot vessels

A vessel engaged on pilotage duty underway

In accordance with Rule 29 (a), a vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit:

(i) at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red;

(ii) sidelights and a sternlight

Anchored vessels

A vessel over 50 m and under 100 m at anchor

In accordance with Rule 30 (a), a vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light;

(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level that the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.

A vessel over 100 m at anchor

In accordance with Rule 30 (a), a vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light;

(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level that the light prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.

In accordance with Rule 30 (c), a vessel of 100 m and more in length at anchor shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.