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Rule 26: Fishing vessels

  1. A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.
  2. 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:
    1. 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 together in a vertical line one above the other;
    2. 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;
    3. when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a stern light.
  3. A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit:
    1. 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;
    2. 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;
    3. when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
  4. The additional signals described in Annex II to these Regulations apply to a vessel engaged infishing in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing.
  5. A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

What this means:

Rule 26: Fishing vessels – Our plain English guide to help you understand & remember this rule.

Once a vessel becomes actively engaged in fishing, its definition changes. Until then, it is regarded as a power-driven vessel. This term can only be used to describe vessels that are either:

  • Trawling* – Dragging nets or dredges behind them
  • Fishing – Not trawling but whose gear may extend sideways or forwards

Sea-angling boats and others whose gear does not restrict their manoeuvrability cannot define themselves as fishing vessels.

Day shapes shown by fishing vessels

By day, all fishing vessels whose gear restricts their ability to manoeuvre should display two black cones, inwardly pointing.

Additionally, there is a requirement for fishing vessels that are using tackle that extends beyond 150m horizontally from them to show an additional cone. This should be displayed in the direction the gear is extending to allow other vessels to understand the hazard and determine which side they should pass.

Lights shown by fishing vessels

At night, fishing vessels whose gear restricts their ability to manoeuvre should display appropriate lights. Unlike the day shape, there are different lights for fishing versus trawling.

Trawling* – A vessel engaged in trawling shows an all-round green over all-round white light.

Fishing – A vessel engaged in fishing shows an all-round red over all-round white light.

Unlike most other specialist lights, fishing vessels don’t have to display any other lights if at anchor. The all-round white light is also considered a masthead light if underway, so it only has to add sidelights and a stern light if necessary. If over 50m, as per power-driven vessels’ requirements, it must exhibit an additional masthead light.

Switch between the different statuses of a fishing vessel by day and night and compare them to the equivalent day shape.

* The definition of trawling is a vessel dragging through the water a dredge or net or other apparatus used for fishing.