Anchoring Lights (Colreg) Colreg rules. Lights during anchoring. Vessel of less than 50 m in length at anchor from sunset to sunrise and from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility Anchored vessel, longer than 50 mDay sign (1 black sphere)Abeam, port sideAheadAsternAnchored vessel, shorter than 50 mDay sign (1 black sphere)Abeam, port sideAheadAsternAnchored sailing boatDay sign (1 black sphere)Abeam, port sideAheadAstern
Sailing and Motoring A vessel proceeding under sail which has her engine running shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards.She shall exibit lights according to a power-driven vessel. Sailing and motoringDay signAbeam, port sideAheadAstern
Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit: sidelights;a sternlight. In a sailing vessel of less than 20 metres in length the lights may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen. A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights, 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. A sailing vessel of less than 7 metres in length shall,…
Power-driven vessel underway A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit: a masthead light forward;a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;sidelights;a sternlight. Power driven vessel underway, longer than 50 mAbeam, port sideAheadAsternPower driven vessel underway, shorter than 50 mAbeam, port sideAheadAstern
Fishing, other than trawling A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit: two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other; when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 metres horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear; when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed here, sidelights and a sternlight. Fishing vessel, other than trawlingDay signAbeam, port sideAheadAstern
Not under command A vessel not under command shall exhibit: Two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen; Two spherical shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen; and When making way through the water also normal sidelights and a sternlight (not shown in the example below). Vessel not under command, not making way through the waterDay sign (two black spheres)Abeam, port sideAheadAsternSailing boat, no wind, no mechanical propulsionAbeam, port sideAheadAstern
Dredging or underwater operations A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to manoeuvre Dredging or underwater operations, shorter than 50 m, not making wayAhead, day signsAheadAsternDredging or underwater operations, shorter than 50 m, making wayAhead, day signsAheadAsternDredging or underwater operations, longer than 50 m, making wayAhead, day signsAheadAstern
Restricted in her ability to Maneuver A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit: 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; three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond; when making way through the water, also a masthead light or lights, sidelights and a sternlight Restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, not making way through the waterDay sign: two black spheres…
Small Diving Vessels: How to Identify Them and Navigate Safely When operating a boat on inland waters, coastal areas, or the Great Lakes, recognizing special-purpose vessels is essential for safety. One of the most important vessels to identify correctly is a small diving vessel, as divers may be in the water nearby and vulnerable. Day Shapes and Flags for Small Diving Vessels A small diving vessel may display one of two internationally recognized signals during the day: International Code Flag “A” (Alpha)A blue-and-white swallow-tailed flag indicating that the vessel has a diver down and is restricted in its ability to maneuver. Other vessels must keep well clear and proceed at slow speed. Red-and-White…
Pilot boat Rule 29 (Pilot vessels) Pilot boat, shorter than 50 mAbeam, starboard sideAheadAstern (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) when underway, in addition, sidelights and a sternlight;(iii) when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in sub-paragraph (i), the light, lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for vessels at anchor. (b) A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed for a similar vessel of her length.
