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 white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 3 miles. - In vessels of 12 metres or more in length but less than 50 metres in length:
a masthead light, 5 miles; except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 metres,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 metres in length:
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.
What this means:
Rule 22: Visibility of lights – Our plain English guide to help you understand & remember this rule.
This rule outlines the minimum distance any navigation lights should be visible from. Masthead lights must be visible from a greater distance than side lights, so we will usually be able to see them before we can determine what aspect we see from a vessel’s side lights.
The visible distance of any navigation light is directly linked to its brightness. The brightness of the lights is set out in Section 8 of Annex 1.
Key Point:
Masthead lights must be visible from a greater distance than side lights, so we will usually be able to see them before we can determine what aspect we see from a vessel’s side lights.
