7.2 Specific Vessel Lights & Shapes: Power, Sail, Towing & Fishing (Rules 23-26)

7.2 Specific Vessel Lights & Shapes: Power, Sail, Towing & Fishing (Rules 23-26)

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Rule 23: Power-Driven Vessels Underway

A power-driven vessel underway exhibits navigation lights based on length:

1. Vessels 50 Metres or More in Length

• A forward masthead light placed at least 6 metres above the hull.
• A second (after) masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one by at least 4.5 metres vertically. The horizontal separation must be at least one-half vessel length, but need not exceed 100 metres.
• Sidelights (3 nm range) and a sternlight (3 nm range).
• Aspect interpretation: When the higher after masthead light aligns directly above the lower forward light, the vessel is heading directly toward you.

2. Vessels 12 Metres to Less Than 50 Metres in Length

• A single forward masthead light (may exhibit an optional second after masthead light).
• Sidelights (2 nm range) and a sternlight (2 nm range).

3. Small Power-Driven Craft (< 12m and < 7m)

• Vessels < 12 metres: May exhibit an all-round white light (360°) and sidelights instead of separate masthead and sternlights.
• Vessels < 7 metres with max speed ≤ 7 knots: May exhibit a single all-round white light, and if practicable, sidelights.
• Air-Cushion & High-Speed Craft: Air-cushion vessels operating in non-displacement mode exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light (120+ flashes/min). WIG craft exhibit a high-intensity all-round flashing red light when taking off, landing or flying near the surface.

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Rule 24: Towing and Pushing Operations

Towing vessels present severe collision hazards due to extended hawser lengths and restricted manoeuvrability.

1. Towing Astern

• Tow Length ≤ 200 Metres (measured from tug's stern to end of tow):
  • Two masthead lights in a vertical stack replacing one ordinary masthead light. With a forward stack, a separate after masthead light is required on a tug ≥50m. With an after stack, retain the forward masthead light.
  • Sidelights, sternlight, and a yellow towing light mounted vertically above the sternlight.
• Tow Length > 200 Metres:
  • Three masthead lights in the vertical towing stack instead of two; Rule 24(d) still applies.
  • Sidelights, sternlight, yellow towing light above sternlight.
  • Day Shape: A black diamond shape displayed where best seen on both tug and tow.

2. Vessel Being Towed

• Displays sidelights and a sternlight only.
• Crucial Rule: The vessel being towed never displays a masthead light.

3. Pushing Ahead and Towing Alongside

• Rigid Composite Unit: Regarded legally as a single power-driven vessel under Rule 23.
• Pushing Ahead (Not Composite): Two masthead lights vertically, sidelights and a sternlight; The same forward/after masthead-position requirements described for towing astern apply.
• Towing Alongside: The same tug lights as non-composite pushing: two vertical masthead lights, sidelights and a sternlight, with Rule 24(d) applying. No yellow towing light is prescribed for either operation.

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Rule 25: Sailing Vessels Underway & Vessels Under Oars

Rule 25 covers sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars:

1. Standard Sailing Lights Underway

• Sidelights and a sternlight.
• Crucial Prohibition: A sailing vessel underway under sail alone must never exhibit a forward-facing white masthead light. A masthead light signifies a power-driven vessel.

2. Masthead Tricolour Lantern (< 20m Only)

• Sailing vessels under 20 metres may combine sidelights and sternlight into a single lantern at the masthead.
• Mandatory Restrictions:
  1. The tricolour lantern must never be used concurrently with deck-level sidelights or sternlight.
  2. The tricolour lantern must never be used when motor-sailing.
  3. The tricolour must never be displayed alongside all-round masthead lights.

3. Optional All-Round Lights ("Red Over Green")

• A sailing vessel may exhibit two all-round lights at the masthead: Red over Green ("Red over green, sailing machine"). These are displayed in addition to deck-level sidelights and sternlight, but never with a tricolour lantern.

Small Sailing Craft and Vessels Under Oars

A sailing vessel under 7m must show the sailing lights if practicable. Otherwise, have a white torch or lantern ready and show it in time to prevent collision. A vessel under oars may show sailing lights; otherwise the same white-light requirement applies.

4. Motor-Sailing Day Shape and Lights

• Under Rule 25(e), a sailing vessel propelled by machinery is legally a power-driven vessel.
• Day Shape: Must exhibit a black conical shape, point downwards, forward where best seen.
• Night Lights: Must display a forward masthead steaming light, deck-level sidelights, and sternlight (never a tricolour).

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Rule 26: Fishing Vessels

Applies to fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other gear restricting manoeuvrability; trolling lines or other non-restricting gear do not qualify:

1. Trawling (Dragging Dredge Nets or Trawl Gear)

• Night Lights: Two all-round lights vertically: Green over White ("Green over white, trawling at night"). A masthead light abaft and higher is mandatory if ≥ 50m, optional if < 50m.
• Making Way: Displays sidelights and sternlight. When stopped and making no way through the water, sidelights and sternlight are extinguished.
• Day Shape: Two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line (hourglass shape).

2. Non-Trawl Fishing (Drift Nets, Lines, Seines)

• Night Lights: Two all-round lights vertically: Red over White ("Red over white, fishing at night").
• Outlying Gear > 150m: Additional all-round white light or cone pointing upwards toward gear.
• Making Way: Sidelights and sternlight when making way through the water; extinguished when making no way.
• Day Shape: Two cones apexes together (hourglass shape).

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Fishing Vessels Close Together: Annex II

These signals supplement the normal Rule 26 fishing lights. They are all-round, at least 0.9m apart, below the main fishing lights, and visible for at least 1M but less far than those main lights.

The trawling signals are required for trawlers 20m or longer; smaller trawlers may use them. Each pair-trawler of 20m or longer also shows a searchlight by night directed forward towards its partner, and the appropriate shooting/hauling/fast-net lights. The purse-seine signals are optional and used only while hampered by the gear. Recognise the operation and keep clear of the gear between vessels.

Source: International Rules, Rule26(d) and AnnexII; Canadian additions are outside this international summary.

Reference: Specific Vessel Lights & Shapes