Glossary Archive
Rule 22: Visibility of lights
The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in Section 8 of Annex I to these Regulations so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges: In vessels of 50 metres or more in length:a masthead light, 6 miles;a sidelight, 3 miles;a stern light, 3 miles;a towing light, 3 miles;a...
Rule 23: Power-driven vessels 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. An air-cushion vessel when operating in the...
Rule 24: Towing and pushing
A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit: instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a)(i) or (a)(ii), 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 25: 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 prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule 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,...
Rule 26: Fishing vessels
A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule. 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: two all-round lights in a...
Rule 27: Vessel not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre
A vessel not under command shall exhibit: two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen; two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen; when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a stern...
Rule 28: Vessel constrained by their draught
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, or a cylinder. Any vessel can be constrained by its draught; the bigger the vessel, the greater the draught, the deeper...
Rule 29: Pilot vessels
A vessel engaged on pilotage 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; when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in sub-paragraph (i), the light, lights or shape prescribed in...
Rule 30: Anchored vessels and vessels aground
A vessel at anchor shall 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 sub-paragraph (i), an all-round white light. A vessel of less than 50 metres in length may exhibit an...
Rule 31: Seaplanes
Where it is impracticable for a seaplane or a WIG craft to exhibit lights and shapes of the characteristics or in the positions prescribed in the Rules of this Part she shall exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar in characteristics and position as is possible.