Rule 23 – Power driven Vessel Underway

What I have learned in Rule 23 are:

o 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 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may
do so;

(iii) sidelights;

(iv) a sternlight.

o An air cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition
to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing
yellow light.

o A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and in ilight near the surface shall, in addition
to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit a high-intensity all-round
flashing red light.

o d.

(i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 m in length may in lieu of the lights

prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light
and sidelights, 

(ii) a power-driven vessel of less than 7 m in length whose maximum speed does not
exceed 7 knots may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit
an all-round white light and shall, if practicable, also exhibit sidelights;

(iii) the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less
than 12 m in length may be displaced from the fore and aft centreline of the
vessel if centreline fitting is not practicable, provided that the sidelights are
combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore-and-aft centreline of
tile vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore-and-aft line as the
masthead light or the all-round white light.

Rule 24 – Towing and Pushing

What I have learned in Rule 24 are:
o 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;

(v) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it
can best be seen.

o 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.

o A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the

case of a composite unit, 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.

o A power-driven vessel to which paragraph (a) or (c) of this Rule apply shall also comply
with rule 23(a)(ii).

o A vessel or object being towed, other than those mentioned in paragraph (g) of
this Rule, shall exhibit:

(i) sidelights;

(ii) a sternlight;

(iii) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can
best be seen.
More than 200m – Day Signal

o Provided that any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group
shall be lighted as one vessel,

(i) a vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall exhibit
at the forward end, sidelights;

(ii) a vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a sternlight and at the forward
end, sidelights.

o An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or

objects being towed, shall exhibit:

(i) if it is less than 25 meters in breadth, one all-round white light at or near the
front end and one at or near the after end except that dracones need not exhibit
a light at or near the forward end;

(ii) if it is 25 meters or more in breadth, two or more additional all-round white

lights at or near the extremities of its breadth;

(iii) if it exceeds 100 meters in length, additional all-round white lights

between the lights prescribed in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) so that the
distance between the lights shall not exceed 100 meters.;

(iv) a diamond shape at or near the aftermost extremity of the last vessel or
object being towed and if the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters an additional
diamond shape where it can best be seen and located as far forward as is
practicable.

o When from any sufficient cause it is impracticable for a vessel or object being towed to
exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in paragraph (e) or (g) of this Rule, all possible
measures shall be taken to light the vessel or object being towed or at least indicate the
presence of such vessel or object.

o Where from any sufficient cause it is impracticable for a vessel not normally engaged in
towing operations to display the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (c) of this Rule,
such vessel shall not be required to exhibit those lights when engaged in towing another
vessel in distress or otherwise in need of assistance. All possible measures shall be
taken to indicate the nature of the relationship between the towing vessel and the vessel
being towed as authorized by Rule 36, in particular by illuminating the towline.
Rule 25 – Sailing Vessels
What I have Learned in Rule 25 are:

o A sailboat less than 20 meter may combine the navigational light in one lantern carried at the
top of the mast.

-Sidelights

-Stern light

o A sailboat less than 7 meter need only display an Electric torch or Flashlight- in sufficient time to
prevent a collision.
o A sailing vessel under sail when also using her motor during the day shall display the conical
shape – apex down.
o A sailing vessel under power and underway shall exhibit. (A sailing vessel with its engine on is
considered to be a Power- Driven Vessel)

-Sidelights

- Stern light

- Masthead Light Forward

Rule 26 – Fishing Vessel

What I have learned in Rule 26 are:

o A vessel engage in fishing shall display at night- while underway or at anchor

-Red over White

o A vessel engaged in Fishing while making way at night shall display:

- Red over White

-Sidelights
- Stern lights

o A vessel engaged in trawling shall display at night – while underway or at anchor

- Green over White

o A vessel engaged in trawling while making way at night shall display:

- Green over White

 - Sidelights
- Stern light

o A vessel Fishing or trawling during the day shall display two cones with apexes together.

Rule 27 – Restricted in Ability to Maneuver

What I have learned in Rule 27 are:

o A vessel Not Under Command, not making way shall display at night:

-Red over Red

o A vessel Not Under Command, if making way, she shall display at night:

-Red over Red

-Sidelights
-Stern light

o A vessel Not Under Command, during the day shall display:

- Two black balls

o A vessel Restricted in Ability to Maneuver shall display at night:

- Three all-around lights
- Upper & Lower is RED
- A White in the Middle

o The dayshape for a vessel Restricted in Ability to Maneuver is:

-Two black balls
- A Diamond in the Middle

o During Nighttime While at anchor the vessel shall display the Identify light (Red – White – Red)
and anchor lights.

o While at anchor during the day the vessel shall display the Identifying Shape (Ball – Diamond –
ball) and an anchor shape (Black ball).

o A vessel Engaged in Dredging shall display the same lights as RAM vessel (Red- White – Red).
In addition, the vessel shall display:
- Two Green lights on the side to pass.
- Two Red lights on the obstruction side

o During the day a vessel engaged in dredging shall display the same dayshape as RAM vessel
 (Ball-Diamond-Ball)
In addition, the vessel shall display:
- Two Diamonds on the side to pass.
- Two Balls on the obstruction side

o A vessel engaged in diving operation shall exhibit the lights of a RAM vessel (Red – White – Red)
o A vessel engaged in diving operations shall exhibit the International Code Flag “A” in the
daytime.

Rule 28 – Vessel Constrained by her Draught

What I have learned in Rule 28 are:

o A vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the Iights prescribed for power-
driven vessels in Rule 23, exhibitwhere theycan best be seen three all-round red lights in
a vertical line, or a cylinder.

Rule 29 – Pilot Vessel

What I have learned in Rule 29 are:

o 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 subparagraph (i), the
light, lights, or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for vessels at anchor.

o A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or shapes
prescribed for a similar vessel of her length.

Rule 30 – Anchored Vessel and Vessel Aground

What I have learned in Rule 30 are:

o A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

(i) in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;

(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in
subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.

o A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can
best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.
o  A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100 meters and more in length shall, also use
the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.

o A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this
Rule and in addition, where they can best be seen;

(i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line;

(ii) three balls in a vertical line.