lights and shapes and sounds

Masthead light

fore and aft of the ship

WHITE light

225 degreed

right ahead to 22.5 degreed abaft(behind) on either side of the ship

Sidelights

Port =RED 112.5 degrees

Starboard= GREEN 112.5 degrees

right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side

Sternlight

White Light

135 degrees in the back

67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.

Towing light

yellow light having the same characteristics as stern light

All-round light

White light

360 degrees

Flashing light

means a light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.

360 degrees

Special flashing light

yellow flashing light used on certain towing vessels to let others know a tow is happening, especially at night or in poor visibility.

50 to 70 times per minute

• It covers half a circle in the front, maybe a little more — 180° to 225° total.

• So it lights up the forward half of the boat, not the back.

In vessels of 50 meters or more in length: display distance

- a masthead light, 6 miles;

− a sidelight, 3 miles;

− a sternlight, 3 miles;

− a towing light, 3 miles;

− a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 3 miles.

In vessels of 12 meters or more in length but less than 50 meters in length light distance

a masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 meters, 3 miles;

− a sidelight, 2 miles;

− a sternlight, 2 miles;

− a towing light, 2 miles;

− a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.

In vessels of less than 12 meters in length light distance

a masthead light, 2 miles;

− a sidelight, 1 mile;

− a sternlight, 2 miles;

− a towing light, 2 miles;

− a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.

In inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or objects being towed

a white all-round light, 3 miles.

Bow aspect means (front of the ship)

you see ship straight ahead

Starboard aspect

you see green and mast headlight

port aspect

you see red light and mast headlight

stern aspect (back of the ship)

you only see mast headlight no sidelights

power driven vessel underway must display

mast headlight 225

2nd mast headlight in the back and higher than forward one

sidelight 112.5

stern lights 135

Air cushioned vessel operating in none displacement mode must display

mast headlight 225

2nd mast headlight in the back and higher than forward one

sidelights 112.5

stern light 135

ALL AROUND FLASHING YELLOW 360 degrees

If vessel is in DISPLACEMENT MODE then NO flashing yellow light

WIG CRAFT LIGHTS

when

-taking off

-landing

-in flight near the surface

must display

Mast headlight forward 225

2nd mast headlight in the back and higher than forward one

***If vessel is less than 50 meters this is optional for them

Stern Light

Side Lights

HIGH INTENSITY ALL AROUND RED FLASHING LIGHT

if cant comply you must display lights as closely as possible

Power driven vessel less than 12 meters

All around white light

Sidelights combined in the front

Power driven vessel less then 7 meters max speed cant go over 7 knots

All around white light

Power Driven Vessel operation on Great Lakes

Mast head light 

Side lights 

All around white light instead of 2nd mast headlight and stern light

vessel anchored less than 100 meters

All around white light in the front and one in the back

BALL SHAPE in the fore

vessel anchored less than 50 meters

All around white light

BLACK BALL

vessel anchored less than 7 meters

not required to display any lights of shapes

vessel anchored 100 meters or more

2 all around lights, one in front one in the back

ANY light to illuminate her deck

BALCK BALL

vessel aground less than 50 meters must display

1 all around white lights

2 all around RED lights in vertical line

3 BALLS IN VERICAL LINE

Vessel aground less than 100 m

2 all around white light 

2 all around RED lights in vertical line

3 BALLS IN VERTICAL LINE

Vessel less than 7 meters in length at anchor

not in busy areas, don’t need anchor lights or day shape.

Vessels less than 12 meters aground

don’t need to show the aground signals

vessel of less than 20 meters in length, when at anchor in a special anchorage area designated by the Secretary

not be required to exhibit the anchor lights and shapes required

Towing vessel less than 50 meters, tow does not exceed 200 meters

2 Mast Head Lights in vertical line

Side lights

Stern light

Towing light (yellow)

Object or vessel being towed but do not exceed 200 meters must display

Stern light

Side Lights

Towing vessel less than 50 meters but tow exceeds 200 meters

3 mast head lights in vertical line

side lights

stern light

towing light

1 DIAMOND shape

Object or vessel being towed and the tow exceeds 200 meters must display

side lights

stern light

2 black diamond in the forward

Towing vessel 50 meters or more but the tow does not exceed 200 meters

2 mast head light in vertical line

mast head light in the back higher then 2 in the front

side lights

stern light

towing light

towing vessel 50 meters or more and tow exceeds 200 meters

3 mast headlight in vertical line

1 mast head light in the back higher then front ones

side lights

stern light

towing light

power driven vessel in a composite unit

have same lights as a powerdriven vessel

mast head light

2nd mast head light in the back and higher

side lights

stern light

you are towing alongside

2 mast headlights in vertical line 

Side lights 

Stern light 

INLAND: TWO TOWING LIGHTS in vertical line instead of stern light

Vessel being towed Alongside

Side lights 

Stern Light 

Special Flashing Lights (INLAND)

you are pushing ahead

2 mast headlights in vertical line 

Side lights 

Stern light 

INLAND: TWO TOWING LIGHTS in vertical line instead of stern light

Vessel being pushed

side lights 

Special Flashing Light (INLAND)

Towing ASTERN

Have a towing light and sternlight y/w

Towing inconspicuous, partly submerged object the breadth less than 25 meters, tow is 200 meters or less

two all around lights, one in the front and one in the back of the tow

Diamond shape

Towing inconspicuous, partly submerged object the breadth less than 25 meters, tow is exceeds 200 meters

2 all around lights, one in the front one in the back

2 diamond shapes, one in the front one in the back

Towing inconspicuous, partly submerged object the breadth more than 25 meters, tow does not exceed 200 meters

4 all around white lights

One in the back, front, side, side

Black diamond in the back

Towing inconspicuous, partly submerged object the breadth LESS than 25 meters, tow is 100 meters or exceeds 200 meters

3 all around lights spead out evenly

2 diamon shapes one in the front one in the back

Towing a dracone

1 all around white light in the back of dracone

Black Diamond all the way in the back

A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit

Side lights

Stern lights

sailing vessel less than 20 meters may do what

combine sidelights and sternlight in one lantern at or near the top of the mast

What optional lights may a sailing vessel underway show in addition to required lights?

Two all-round lights in a vertical line: red over green at/near the top of the mast.

Note: Not to be shown if using the combined lantern.

What are the lighting requirements for a vessel under oars?

May show sidelights and sternlight OR

have a ready-at-hand white light (flashlight or lantern) to show in time to avoid collision

What are the light requirements for a sailing vessel under 7 meters

If practicable, exhibit:
Sidelights and sternlight or
Combined lantern

If not, must have:
✅ An electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light ready to exhibit in time to avoid collision.

What shape must a vessel show when sailing and using engine power?

A conical shape, apex down, where it can best be seen.

Note: Inland: vessels <12m are exempt but may show it.

What must a vessel engaged in fishing (underway or at anchor) exhibit?

Only the lights and shapes prescribed in Rule 26

What lights must a vessel engaged in trawling display

Green over WHITE

Mast head light in the back higher than the green light(only if you are more than 50 m)

Shape:
Two cones, apexes together (vertical)

What additional light may a trawling vessel show

A masthead light abaft(closer to stern) and higher than the green light

if a vessel is less than 50 m this is optional

What additional lights must a trawling vessel show if making way

Sidelights

Sternlight

Only when making way

What lights must a vessel fishing (not trawling) display

RED over WHITE

Two apexes together

What additional light/shape is required if fishing gear extends >150m from the vessel

An all-round white light in the direction of the gear

Or a cone, apex up, in direction of gear

What additional lights are needed when fishing vessels (non-trawling) are making way

Side lights

Stern light

What lights can trawlers (≥20m) show when shooting nets?

Two white lights in a vertical line

What lights for hauling nets (≥20m)

One white over red in a vertical line

What lights for net fast on obstruction (≥20m)?

Two red lights in a vertical line

What special light may pair trawlers use at night?

A searchlight directed forward and toward the other vessel

What light may purse seiners exhibit when hampered by gear?

Two yellow lights in a vertical line, flashing alternately at 1-second intervals

Vessel Not Under Command must display which lights/shapes

RED over

If making way: Also show sidelights and sternlight

TWO BALLS in vertical line

Vessel Restricted in Ability to Maneuver (RAM) must display

Restricted due to the nature of work (e.g., dredging, replenishment, mine clearance).

RED

WHITE

RED

If making way: Also show

Masthead light(s)

Sidelights

Sternlight

If at anchor: must show lights for being at anchor with appropriate ship distance

BALL DIAMOND BALL

A power-driven vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall display

Towing lights for that ship (length, tow length, breadth and such)

RED

WHITE

RED

BALL DIAMOND BALL

Picture description: Vessel engaged in towing operation which severely restricts towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course—length of tow does not exceed 200 meters; towing vessel less than 50 meters in length. Same for International.

A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to maneuver, shall display

RED

WHITE

RED

if making way:

Masthead light(s)

Sidelights

Sternlight

Additional Lights (ONLY if obstruction exists):

Side of Vessel	Lights to Show	Shapes (Day)
Obstructed	Two red all-round lights, vertical	Two black balls, vertical
Safe to Pass	Two green all-round lights, vertical	Two diamonds, vertical

vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed shall display

RED

WHITE

RED

FLAG A not less than 1 meter in height

If possible, still show:

• RAM shapes: ⚫♦⚫ (ball-diamond-ball)

• Masthead, sidelights, and sternlight if making way

• Obstruction side lights (if applicable

A vessel engaged in mineclearance operations shall display

Lights of power driven vessel

3 green lights in a triangle (One at each end of the fore yard (port and starboard sides)

Required Day Shapes:

• Three black balls, placed in the same locations as the green lights

do not approach within 1000 meters of the vessel.

Vessels of less than 12 meters in length, except those engaged in diving operations, shall

not be required to exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule

if you are engaged in diving operations you need to show

they must still show:

• 🔴⚪🔴 (RAM lights)

• Code Flag “A” (minimum 1m, visible all around)

A vessel constrained by her draft must display

show lights of power driven vessel

AND

RED

RED

RED

BLACK CYLINDER

A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall display

WHITE

RED

If underway:

• Sidelights (green + red)

• Sternlight

If at anchor:

• Continue showing white over red,

• PLUS lights/shapes for vessels at anchor (e.g., all-round white light at bow and stern, anchor ball if ≥50m)

Pilot Vessel Not Engaged in Pilotage must display

Must not show white-over-red pilot lights

Show regular lights/shapes required for a vessel of her length and type

4 vessels that do NOT show sidelights or stern lights when underway not making way

Never Forget this rule

NUC

Fishing

Trawling

RAM (no mast headlight too)

4 vessels that do NOT show anchor lights

Dont Dare Forget this

Dredging

Diving Operations

Fishing

Trawling

5 vessels that NEver show mast headlight

No Shine From The Post

NUC

Sailing

Fishing

Towed vessel

Pilot

Sound Equipment on vessel 12-20 meters

whistle

Sound Equipment on vessel 20-100 meters

whistle and bell

Sound Equipment on vessel 100+ m

whistle gong bell

Sound Equipment on vessel less than 12 m

other means to produce sound signal

INTERNATIONAL SOUND SIGNALS when in signt of another vessel

One short blast ______

Two Short Blasts______

I am altering course to starboard

I am altering course to port

INTERNATIONAL SOUND SIGNALS when over taking another vessel

2 prolonged blasts fallowed by one short ___

2 prolonged blast fallowed by 2 short _____

I intend to overtake you on your starboard side.

I intend to overtake you on your port side.

Vessel being overtaken agrees with following signal______

One prolonged, one short, one prolonged, one short

___*___*

INLAND SOUND SIGNALS when in signt of another vessel in a meeting or crossing situation

One short blast ______

Two Short Blasts______

“I intend to leave you on my port side (turn starboard)”

I intend to leave you on my starboard side (turn port)”

INLAND OVERTAKING sound signals

One Short Blast:

Two Short Blast:

I intend to overtake you on your starboard side

I intend to overtake you on your port side

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for special category vessels

NUC

RAM (Underway or anchor)

Constrained by draft

Fishing

Sailing (underway or at anchor)

Towing and pushing

1 prolonged + 2 short blasts every 2 minutes

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for vessel towed or if more than one vessel is towed

if manned 1 prolonged + 3 short blasts every 2 minutes

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for vessel at anchor less than 20 meters

some efficient signal 2 min interval

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for vessel at anchor less than 100 meters

bell for 5 seconds

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for vessel at anchor 100 meters or more

bell 5 sec gong 5 sec

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for vessel at anchor to give a warning

short, prolonged, short

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for vessel aground less than 100 meters

Three distinct strikes of bell before and after anchor signal.

•••Bell (5 seconds)•••

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for vessel aground 100 meters or more

•••Bell (5 seconds)••• Gong(5 secs)

Sound Signals in Restricted visibility for pilot vessel

in addition to

(a) (power-driven vessel making way)

(b) (power-driven vessel underway but not making way)

(f)/(g) (vessel at anchor or aground)

SOUND 4 short blasts