Rule 29 - Pilot vessels

(a) A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit:

(i) at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the
upper being white and the lower red;
(ii) when underway, in addition, sidelights and a sternlight;
(iii) when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in sub-paragraph
(i), the light, lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for vessels at
anchor.
(b) A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or
shapes prescribed for a similar vessel of her length.

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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

A pilot vessel is a vessel having pilots on board and cruising in a

fixed area at sea in order to provide passing vessels with a pilot.
This area is called a “pilot station” and is indicated on most charts
by the symbol or ¤ PIL STA 2
 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

Pilot stations are often located ashore. The pilot is then taken to the
vessel by a small pilot boat linking the pilot station with the roadstead 3
 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

A pilot vessel shall exhibit

–  Underway
•  A white all round light above a red all-round light
(pilot lights) in a vertical line
•  Sidelights
•  A sternlight

–  Not underway
•  Only a white all round light above a red all-round light
(pilot lights) in a vertical line

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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

A pilot vessel at anchor shall exhibit

AT NIGHT
–  An all round white light above an all-round red
light (pilot lights) in a vertical line
–  One or two anchor lights
BY DAY
–  An anchor ball

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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

•  Rule 29 (a) (i) and (ii)

•  Pilot vessel
•  Underway
•  Starboard side view 6
 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

•  Rule 29 (a) (i) and (ii)

•  Pilot vessel
•  Underway
•  Stern view 7
 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

All-round lights

The pilot is boarded from the pilot vessel

and brought aboard with a small pilot boat
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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

A small pilot boat drops the pilot on board

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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

The pilot is boarded from the shore pilot station

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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

Code flag “H”

The Rules do not prescribe daymarks for pilot

vessels. They ar however often identified by means
of the word PILOT painted on their hull and with the
code flag “H” 11
 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

The pilot boards the vessel

A pilot is usually an experienced marine officer well acquainted with

shallows and dangers in channels, rivers and harbours and who is
entrusted with the safe conduct of the vessel. He is also well acquainted
with the local Regulations which are mentioned in Rule 1 (b)
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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

Pilots are more and more boarded by means of an helicopter 14

 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels at anchor Rule 29 (a) (iii)

−  A pilot vessel engaged on pilotage duty but not

underway must, according to Rule 3 (i), be at anchor,
made fast to the shore or aground. She may then not
exhibit the sidelights or combined lantern and the
sternlight.

−  When at anchor she shall exhibit the pilot lights and the
anchor light(s) or anchor ball.

−  When she is made fast to the shore she must only

exhibit the pilot lights (all-round white and red lights).

−  It will be rare to find a pilot vessel aground.

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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels at anchor Rule 29 (a) (iii)

•  Rule 29 (a) (iii)

•  Pilot vessel at anchor at night
•  More or less than 50 m 16
 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels at anchor Rule 29 (a) (iii)

•  Rule 29 (a) (iii)

•  Pilot vessel at anchor by day
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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels made fast Rule 29 (a) (ii)

At night a pilot vessel made fast only shows her

pilot lights. By day no day marks are foreseen.
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 Rule 29 - Pilot vessels
Pilot vessels Rule 29

Important remarks
In special circumstances a pilot vessel may guide a vessel
through a channel or to a harbour.
No distinction is made between a pilot vessel making way
through the water and one not making way through the
water
When not engaged in pilotage duty she shall exhibit the
lights or shapes for a vessel of her length

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