Lesson 31: Lights and Shapes...

PART C – Lights and Shapes

Rule 20, Application

International and Inland – Rules in this Part SHALL be complied with in all weathers.
International and Inland – 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.
International and Inland – 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 deemed necessary.

International and Inland – The Rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day.
International and Inland – The lights and shapes specified in these Rules shall comply with the provisions of Annex I of these Rules.

Comment:

The correct lights or shapes must displayed at all times. When a vessel is preparing to anchor, fish, become restricted in her ability to maneuver, not under command, and so on, the correct lights and or shapes should be illuminated or hoisted into position as soon as is the anchor is down, nets are being set, losing a rudder or what ever situation the vessel finds herself in accordance with the Rules.

Rule 21, Definitions

International and Inland – Read Rule 21 in current manual of the Navigation Rules, International - Inland, COMDTINST M16672.2X.

International and Inland

Side Lights – Red (Port) and Green (Starboard): forward 112.5 º arc of visibility from fine on the bow to a point 22.5 º abaft the beam.
Masthead Light – White: forward 225 º arc of visibility.
Anchor Light – White: all-round 360 º arc of visibility.
Stern Light - White: after 135 º arc of visibility.
Towing Light - Yellow: after 135 º arc of visibility.
Flashing Light - Yellow: all-round 360 º arc of visibility, 120 flashes per minute.
Inland Only

Special Flashing Light – Yellow: forward 180º to 225º arc, 50 to 70 flashes per minute.
Rule 22, Visibility of Lights
International and Inland – Read Rule 22 in current edition of the Navigation Rules, International - Inland, COMDTINST M16672.X.

Rule 23, Power-driven Vessels Underway

International and Inland – 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 less than 50meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such like but may do so. (iii) Sidelights; and (iv) a sternlight.
International and Inland – An air-cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rules, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light.
International and Inland – (i) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters may show an all-round white light in lieu of separate masthead and stern lights and sidelights.
International – (ii) A power-driven vessel of less than 7 meters in length with a maximum speed of 7 knots, may in lieu of Rule 23 (a), show an all-round white lights, and if practical, sidelights. (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 the centerline fitting is not practicable, provided that the sidelights are combined in one lantern which shall be carried on the fore and aft centerline of the vessel or located as nearly practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead lights or the all around white light.
Inland – A power-driven vessel when operating on the Great Lakes may carry an all around white light in lieu of the second masthead light and sternlight prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.

Comment:

Power-Driven vessel less than 50 meters
Power-Driven vessel less than 12 meters
Sailing vessel under power
An all-around flashing yellow light is one that has an arc of 360 degrees flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.
Fast flash…..fast boat (in non-displacement mode only)

Rule 24, Towing and Pushing

International and Inland- A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit: (i) instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23(a)(i) or (a)(ii), two mastheads lights in a vertical line. When the length of the tow, measured 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) Sternlight. (iv) A towing light (yellow) in a vertical light above the sternlight. (and) (v) When the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.
International and Inland – 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 shall exhibit the lights prescribed in Rule 23.

International and Inland – A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the case of a composite unit, shall exhibit: (i) Instead of the lights prescribed in Rule 23 (a)(i) or (a)(ii), two mast head lights in a vertical line. (ii) Sidelights (and) (iii) International - A sternlight. or (iii) Inland – Two (yellow) towing (stern) lights in a vertical line.
International and Inland – A power-driven vessel to which paragraph (a) or (c) of this Rule apply shall also comply with Rule 23 (a)(i) and 23 (a)(ii).

International and Inland – A vessel or objected other than those referred to in paragraph (g) of this Rule (inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object) being towed shall exhibit: (i) Sidelights (ii) (a) Sternlight (and) when the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.

International – 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.

Inland - Provided that any number of vessels being towed alongside or pushed in a group shall be lighted as one vessel, except as provided in paragraph (iii): (i) A vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall exhibit at the forward end, sidelights, and a special flashing light. (ii) A vessel being towed alongside shall exhibit a sternlight and at the forward end, sidelights and a special flashing light (and) (iii) When vessels are towed alongside on both sides of the towing vessel a sternlight shall be exhibited on the stern of the outboard vessel on each side of the towing vessel, and a single set of sidelights as far forward and as far outboard as is practicable, and a single special flashing light.

International - An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit: (i) If it less than 25 meters in breath, one all around white light at or near the forward 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 the is 25 meters or more in breath, two additional all-round white lights at or near the extremities of it breath. (iii) If it exceeds 100 meters in length, additional all-round white lights between the lights prescribed in subparagraph (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 be seen and located as far forward as is practicable.

Inland - An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit: (i) If it less than 25 meters in breath, one all around white light at or near each (and): (ii) If it is 25 meters or more in breath, four all-round white lights to mark its length and breath. (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: Provided, That any vessel or objects being towed alongside each other shall be lighted as one vessel or object. (iv) A diamond shape at or near the aftermost extremity of the last vessel or object being towed (and) (v) the towing vessel may direct a searchlight in the direction of the tow to indicate its presence to an approaching vessel.
International and Inland – Where 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 to indicate the presence of such vessel or object.

International – 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 a 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. Inland – Notwithstanding paragraph (c), on the Western Rivers (except below the Huey P. Long Bridge on the Mississippi River) and on the waters specified by the Secretary, a power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except as paragraph (b) applies, shall exhibit: (i) Sidelights (and) (ii) Two towing lights in a vertical line.

Inland - 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 a 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.

Comment:

Yellow over White, my hawser’s is tight towing at night
Three Whites, long tow (astern) in sight
Two Whites, short tow at night
Yellow over Yellow pushing inland fellow
Special Flashing light, 50 to 70 flashes per minute, 180 to 225 degrees arc of visibility.
Slow flash….slow tow

Rule 25, Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars

International and Inland – A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit: (i) Sidelights (and) (ii) a stern light.
International and Inland – In a sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
International and Inland – A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they best can be seen, two all all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green, but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by paragraph (b) of this Rule.

International and Inland – (i) A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) and (b) of this Rule, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision. (ii) A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this Rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

International – A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards.
Inland - A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length is not required to exhibit this shape, but may do so.
Comment:

Combination Red-Green lantern
The phrase “In Sufficient Time to Prevent Collision” imposes no obligation to show the prescribed light(s) until risk of collision exists.
The black conical shape carried by sailing vessels while under power shall be displayed during daylight. Vessels considered as power-driven vessels.
Red over Green, sailing machine.