PART C IRPCS

LIGHT AND SHAPES

RULE 20 - APPLICATION

(a) Rules in this Part shall be complied with in all weathers.

(b) The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times
no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be mistaken for the lights specified in
these Rules or do not impair their visibility or distinctive character, or interfere with the keeping of a
proper look-out.

(c) The lights prescribed by these Rules shall, if carried, also be exhibited from sunrise to sunset in
restricted visibility and may be exhibited in all other circumstances when it is deemed necessary.

(d) The Rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day.

(e) The lights and shapes specified in these Rules shall comply with the provisions of Annex I of these
Rules.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21 - DEFINITIONS
Masthead light

(a) “Masthead light” means a AFT

white light placed over the
fore and aft centreline of the
22.5° 22.5°
vessel showing an unbroken
BEAM BEAM
light over an arc of the
horizon of 225 degrees and
so fixed as to show the light
from right ahead to 22.5 225°
degrees abaft the beam on
either side of the vessel.

FORE
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21 - DEFINITIONS
Side lights

(b) “Sidelights” means a green light on

the starboard side and a red light on the
port side each showing an unbroken
light over an arc of the horizon of
112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show
the light from right ahead to 22.5 112.5° 112.5°
degrees abaft the beam on its
respective side. In a vessel of less than
20 meters in length the sidelights may
be combined in one lantern carried on
the fore and aft center-line of the
vessel.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21 - DEFINITIONS

135°
(c) “Sternlight” means a
white light placed as
nearly as practicable at the
stern showing an
unbroken light over an arc
of the horizon of 135
degrees and so fixed as to
show the light 67.5
degrees from right aft on
each side of the vessel.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21d - DEFINITIONS

135°

(d) “Towing light” means a

yellow light having the
same characteristics as the
“sternlight” defined in
paragraph (c) of this Rule.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21 - DEFINITIONS

135°

( (e) “All-round light”

means a light showing an
unbroken light over an arc
of the horizon of 360
degrees.
360°
360°
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21f - DEFINITIONS

(f) “Flashing light” means a

light flashing at regular
intervals at a frequency of
120 flashes or more per
minute.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS

MASTHEAD LIGHTS
PORT RED SIDE LIGHTS

STBRD GREEN SIDE LIGHTS

MASTHEAD LIGHTS
STBRD GREEN SIDE LIGHTS

STERN LIGHT
.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- Graphical Arc of
Visibility
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- Graphical
DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- Graphical
DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- Graphical
DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 21- DEFINITIONS
 The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have
an intensity as specified in Section 8 of Annex I
PART C IRPCS to these Regulations so as to be visible at the
LIGHT AND SHAPES following minimum ranges:
RULE 22
Visibility of Lights

(b) In vessels of 12
(a) 50 meters or more
or length
in more inbutlength:
less than 50 meters in
− a masthead light, 6
length:
miles;
− a masthead light, 5 miles; except
− a sidelight,
that where the3 length
miles; of the vessel is
− a sternlight,
less than 20 meters,
3 miles;3 miles; VESSEL LESS THAN 20 meters
− a towing
sidelight,
light,
2 miles;
3 miles;
− a white,
sternlight,
red,2green
miles;or
yellow
− a towing
all-round
light, light,
2 miles;
3
miles.
− a white, red, green or yellow all-
round light, 2 miles.
 The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have
an intensity as specified in Section 8 of Annex I
PART C IRPCS to these Regulations so as to be visible at the
LIGHT AND SHAPES following minimum ranges:
RULE 22
Visibility of Lights VESSEL LESS THA N 12m

(c) In vessels of less than 12 meters in

length: (d) In inconspicuous, partly
− a masthead light, 2 miles; submerged vessels or objects being
towed:
− a sidelight, 1 mile;
− a sternlight, 2 miles; - a white all-round light, 3 miles.
− a towing light, 2 miles;
− a white, red, green or yellow all-round
light, 2 miles.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 23
Power-driven Vessels
Underway

(a) A power-driven vessel

underway shall exhibit:
(i) a masthead light forward;
(ii) a second masthead light abaft
of and higher than the forward
one; except that a vessel of less
than 50 meters in length shall not
be obliged to exhibit such light but
may do so;
(iii) sidelights; and
(iv) a sternlight.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 23
Power-driven Vessels Underway
LESS THAN 50 METERS

(a) A power-driven vessel

underway shall exhibit:
(i) a masthead light forward;
(ii) a second masthead light abaft
of and higher than the forward
one; except that a vessel of less
than 50 meters in length shall not
be obliged to exhibit such light but
may do so;
(iii) sidelights; and
(iv) a sternlight.
 PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 23
Air Cushion Vessel

(b) An air-cushion
(c) A WIG craft only
vessel when operating
when taking off,
in the non-
landing and in flight
displacement mode
near the surface shall,
shall, in addition to the
in addition to the lights
lights prescribed in
prescribed in
paragraph (a) of this
paragraph (a) of this
Rule, exhibit an all-
Rule, exhibit a high
round flashing yellow
intensity all-round
light.
flashing red light.

(i) A power-driven vessel of
less than 12 meters in
length may in lieu of the
lights prescribed in
paragraph (a) of this Rule
exhibit an all-round white
light and sidelights;
PART C IRPCS
LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE 23 d
Power-driven Vessels
Underway
LESS THAN 50 METERS
(iii) the masthead light or all-
round white light on a power-
driven vessel of less than 12
meters in length may be
displaced from the fore and
aft centerline of the vessel if
centerline fitting is not
practicable, provided that
the sidelights are combined
in one lantern which shall be
carried on the fore and aft (ii) a power-driven vessel of less
centerline of the vessel or than 7 meters in length whose
located as nearly as maximum speed does not exceed
practicable in the same fore 7 knots may in lieu of the lights
and aft line as the masthead prescribed in paragraph (a) of this
light or the all-round white Rule exhibit an all-round white
light. light and shall, if practicable, also
exhibit sidelights;
 PART C IRPCS LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE24 - Towing and Pushing
Tow 200m and less Tow Exceed 200m

daytime

(a) A power-driven vessel when towing

shall exhibit:
(i) 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 meters, three such lights in a vertical
line;
(ii) sidelights;
(iii) a sternlight;
(iv) a towing light in a vertical line above the
sternlight; and (v) when the length of the
tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape
where it
 PART C IRPCS LIGHT AND SHAPES
RULE24 b - Pushing

(b) When a pushing vessel and a

vessel being pushed ahead are
rigidly connected in a composite
unit they shall be regarded as a
power-driven vessel and exhibit
the lights prescribed in Rule 23.

Composite unit underway

135°
VESSEL LESS THA N 12m