Lights and Shapes

5/26/22, 2:37 PM Lights and shapes
Lights and shapes

Definitions
Masthead light
means a white light placed over the fore and

aft centreline of the vessel showing an un-
broken 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.
Sidelight
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 re-
spective side.
In a vessel of less than 20 metres in length the
sidelights may be combined in one lantern
carried on the fore and aft centreline of the
vessel.
Arcs of visibility of sternlight and sidelights
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.
Towing light
means a yellow light having the same characteristics as the sternlight.
All-round light
means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360°.
Flashing light
means a light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.
Colour legend
White light
Yellow light
Green light
Red light
Yellow flashing light
Optional white light
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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 m
Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

Power driven vessel underway, shorter than 50 m
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↑ Power-driven vessel underway. ↑ Power-driven vessel underway – less than 50 m ↑ A vessel proceeding under sail which has her
in length 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 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 exhib-
ited in conjunction with the combined lantern.
4 lights configurations sailing

Sailing vessel 1

Sailing vessel 2

Sailing vessel 3

Sailing vessel 4
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↑ Sailing vessel underway.

↑ Sailing vessel underway – less than 20 meters ↑ Sailing vessel underway.
Configuration 1, and if sidelights are combined on in length.

Configuration 3
the bow: configuration 4 Configuration 2
A sailing vessel of less than 7 metres in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed above, but if she does
not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in
sufficient time to prevent collision.
A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this Rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have
ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to pre-
vent collision.
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 motoring
Day sign
Anchoring
A vessel at anchor shall according to Rule 30 (a) (b) ↗ exhibit where it can best be seen:
in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;
at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in Rule 30(a)(i), an all-round white light.
Anchored vessel, longer than 50 m
Day sign
(1 black sphere)

Anchored vessel, shorter than 50 m
Day sign
(1 black sphere)

Anchored sailing boat
Day sign
(1 black sphere)
↑ Vessel at anchor – less than 50 m in length. ↑ Vessel at anchor with deck illumination. ↑ Vessel aground – less than 50 m in length.
Aground
A vessel aground shall according to Rule 30 (d) ↗ exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 30(a) or (b) and in addition, if practicable, where they can
best be seen;
two all-round red lights in a vertical line;
three balls in a vertical line.
Aground, longer than 50 m
Day sign
( 3 black spheres)
Towing
A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:
two masthead lights in a vertical line. When the length of the tow, measuring from the stern of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow
exceeds 200 metres, three such lights in a vertical line; Rule 24 ↗;
sidelights;
a sternlight;
a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight;
when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.
Tugboat longer than 50 m – tow longer than 200 m
Abeam, port side
Ahead, Day sign

Ahead Astern
(diamond shapes)
Tugboat shorter than 50 m – tow longer than 200 m
Abeam, port side
Ahead, Day sign

Ahead Astern
(diamond shapes)
Tugboat longer than 50 m – tow shorter than 200 m
Abeam,
port side
Ahead, Day sign

Ahead Astern
(no shapes)
Tugboat shorter than 50 m – tow shorter than 200 m
Abeam,
port side
Ahead, Day sign

Ahead Astern
(no shapes)
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↑ Power-driven vessel towing astern

↑ Power-driven vessel towing astern
↑ Vessel or object being towed – length of tow ex-
towing vessel less than 50 m in length; towing vessel less than 50 m in length; ceeds 200 m.
length of tow exceeds 200 m. length of tow 200 m or less.
Towing an inconspicuous, partly submerged object

An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed; Rule 24 (g) ↗, shall exhibit:
if it is less than 25 metres in breadth, one all-round white light at or near the forward end and one at or near the after end except that dra-
cones ↗ need not exhibit a light at or near the forward end;
if it is 25 metres or more in breadth, two additional all-round white lights at or near the extremities of its breadth;
if it exceeds 100 metres in length, additional all-round white lights between these lights so that the distance between the lights shall not ex-
ceed 100 metres;
a diamond shape at or near the aftermost extremity of the last vessel or object being towed and if the length of the tow exceeds 200
metres an additional diamond shape where it can best be seen and located as far forward as is practicable.
Tow shorter than 200 m, object shorter than 100 m
Abeam, port side

Tow longer than 200 m, object shorter than 100 m
Abeam, port side

Tow longer than 200 m, object longer than 100 m
Abeam, port side

Tow longer than 200 m, object longer than 100 m & wider than 25 m
Abeam, port side (note that often a fifth round white light in the center is added)
Ahead Astern
Tow longer than 200 m, any object size
Day sign, Abeam, port side
Pushing from ahead or towing alongside

When a pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit they shall be regarded as a power-driven ves-
sel and exhibit the normal lights.
A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the case of a composite unit; Rule 24 (c) ↗, shall exhibit:
two masthead lights in a vertical line;
sidelights;
a sternlight.
A vessel or object being towed shall exhibit:

sidelights;
a sternlight;
when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.
Provided that any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group shall be lighted as one vessel,
a vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall exhibit at the forward end, sidelights;
a vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a sternlight and at the forward end, sidelights.
Pushing from ahead
Abeam, port side
Ahead Astern
Towing alongside
Abeam, port side
Ahead Astern
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↑ Pushing: composite unit underway (ridged, so ↑ Pushing: vessel being pushed ahead, not being ↑ Vessel being towed alongside.
treated as a single power driven vessel). part of a composite unit.
Fishing – Trawling
A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed below; Rule 26 ↗
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 appli-
ance, shall exhibit:
two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes to-
gether in a vertical line one above the other;
a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit
such a light but may do so;
when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed hereh, sidelights and a sternlight.
when shooting nets, white light over white light (Flag Z by day);
when hauling nets, white light over red light (Flag G by day);
When nets are caught on the bottom, red light over red light (Flag P by day).
Fishing vessel, trawling
Day sign
Abeam, port side

Ahead
Astern
Optional white light if shorter than 50 m Optional white light if shorter than 50 m
Fishing vessel, trawling, shooting nets (white over white)
Day sign • Flag Z

Fishing vessel, trawling, hauling nets (white over red)
Day sign • Flag G

Fishing vessel, trawling, nets caught on bottom (red over red)
Day sign • Flag P
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↑ Vessel engaged in trawling – not making way. ↑ Vessel engaged in trawling – not making way; ↑ Vessel engaged in trawling – making way; vessel
vessel less than 50 m in length. less than 50 m in length.
Trawling in span
When pair trawling, each vessel shows searchlights on water aiming forward (Flag T by day); Rule 26 (f ) (b)ǂ(2) ↗
Trawling in span, shooting nets
Ahead Astern
Fishing, other than trawling

A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling , according to Rule 26 (c) ↗ 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 trawling, outlying gear >150 m
Day sign
When there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
When there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally
SailingIssues.com from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the
from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the
direction of the gear.
direction of the gear.
↑ Vessel engaged in trawling – making way.

↑ Vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling – ↑ Vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling –
See Fishing – Trawling section above… making way. not making way.
Purse seining
Purse Seiners ↗ will exhibit two all-round yellow lights in a vertical line, flashing alternately; Rule 26 (f ) 3ǂ(iii) ↗
Purse seiner fishing vessel
Constrained by draught
A vessel constrained by her draught / draft may, (and not “shall”!) in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels, exhibit where they
can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or as day sign a cylinder, Rule 28 ↗
Power driven vessel, underway, constrained by her draught
Day sign (black vertical cylinder)
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↑ Vessel constrained by her draft / draught. ↑ Vessel not under command “NUC” – not mak- ↑ Vessel not under command “NUC” – making
ing way. way.
Not under command

A vessel not under command, sometimes knows as a NUC ℹ vessel, shall according to Rule 27(a) ↗ 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 examples below).
Vessel not under command, not making way through the water
Day sign (two black spheres)

Sailing boat, no wind, no mechanical propulsion
Restricted in her ability to manoeuvre

A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, sometimes knows as a RAM ℹ vessel, except a vessel engaged in mine clearance operations,
shall according to Rule 27(b) ↗ 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 water
Day sign: two black spheres and in the middle a black diamond shape

Restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, making way through the water, longer than 50 m
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↑ Vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre – ↑ Vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre – ↑ Vessel engaged in towing operation which
making way; vessel less than 50 m in length. at anchor; vessel less than 50 m in length. severely restricts towing vessel and her tow in
their ability to deviate from their course – length
of tow does not exceed 200 m; towing vessel less
than 50 m in length.
Dredging or underwater operations

A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to manoeuvre; Rule 27(d) ↗, shall exibit
two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass; and
when at anchor (or not making way), the lights or shapes prescribed in this section instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 30
Dredging or underwater operations, shorter than 50 m, not making way
Ahead, day signs Ahead Astern

Dredging or underwater operations, shorter than 50 m, making way

Dredging or underwater operations, longer than 50 m, making way
↑ Vessel engaged in dredging or underwater oper- ↑ Vessel engaged in dredging or underwater oper- ↑ Vessel engaged in dredging or underwater oper-
ations when restricted in ability to manoeuvre – ations when restricted in ability to manoeuvre – ations when restricted in ability to manoeuvre –
making way with an obstruction on the star- not making way with an obstruction on the star- not making way with an obstruction on the port
board side. board side. side.
Small diving vessel

Rule 27(e) ↗
Small diving vessel

Day signs

or
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↑ Small vessel engaged in diving operations. ↑ Vessel engaged on pilotage duty – underway. ↑ Vessel engaged on pilotage duty – at anchor;
vessel of less than 50 m in length.
Pilot boat
Rule 29, duty shall exhibit:
at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red;
when underway, in addition, sidelights and a sternlight; as shown in the example below.
Pilot boat, shorter than 50 m
Abeam, starboard side Ahead Astern
Hovercraft, hydrofoil ferry

An air-cushion vessel when operating in non-displacement mode shall, besides a masthead light forward, (plus a masthead light abaft if longer
than 50 m) sidelights and a sternlight, exhibit an all‑round flashing yellow light (faster than 2 flashes per second). Rule 23(b) ↗
 Also a hydrofoil ferry or high speed catamaran when acting as ferry is often allowed under local regulations to exhibit an all-round flashing
yellow light.
Hovercraft, longer than 50 m
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↑ Air-cushion vessel when operating in the ↑ Vessel engaged in mineclearance operations – ↑ Vessel engaged in mineclearance operations,
nondisplacement mode – vessel less than 50 m in vessel less than 50 m in length, starboard side. port side.
length.
Minesweeper
A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations shall in addition to the lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel, or to the lights or shape pre-
scribed for a vessel at anchor, exhibit three all-round green lights or three balls. One of these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near the mast
head and one at each end of the fore yard. These lights or shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel to approach within 1000 metres
of the mine clearance vessel. Rule 27(f ) ↗
Minesweeper, shorter than 50 m, making way
Ahead, day signs (3 black spheres) Ahead Astern
Overview
↑ Overview of most commonly encountered lights and day signs.

Lights are all-round except where indicated.

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5/26/22, 2:37 PM Lights and shapes

Lights and shapes

means a white light placed over the fore and

means a green light on the starboard side and

Yellow flashing light

Optional white light

Power-driven vessel underway

a masthead light forward;

Power driven vessel underway, longer than 50 m

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

She shall exibit lights according to a power-driven

Sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars

4 lights configurations sailing

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

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↑ Sailing vessel underway.

Configuration 1, and if sidelights are combined on in length.

Sailing and Motoring

Sailing and motoring

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;

Anchored vessel, longer than 50 m

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

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two all-round red lights in a vertical line;

three balls in a vertical line.

Aground, longer than 50 m

Abeam, port side Ahead Astern

a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight;

Tugboat longer than 50 m – tow longer than 200 m

Abeam, port side

Ahead, Day sign

Abeam, port side

Ahead, Day sign

Tugboat longer than 50 m – tow shorter than 200 m

Ahead, Day sign

Tugboat shorter than 50 m – tow shorter than 200 m

Ahead, Day sign

↑ Power-driven vessel towing astern

Towing an inconspicuous, partly submerged object

Tow shorter than 200 m, object shorter than 100 m

Abeam, port side

Abeam, port side

Abeam, port side

Day sign, Abeam, port side

Pushing from ahead or towing alongside

two masthead lights in a vertical line;

A vessel or object being towed shall exhibit:

Pushing from ahead

Abeam, port side

Abeam, port side

Fishing vessel, trawling