![]() A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shows two black balls separated by a diamond.A vessel not under command shows two black balls in a vertical line on her main (highest) mast.A vessel at anchor shows a black ball at her forward end on the forecastle.A normal power driven vessel shows nothing special at daytime.These are normally hoisted on a mast so that they can be seen from afar by other vessels. As with lights, their shape, colour and size is prescribed under the rules. Shapes are, typically, ‘a ball’ (spherical), a cylinder, a diamond, a cone etc. What lights indicate by night, shapes indicate in the daytime. It also must display an all round towing light at the stern, above the sternlight.Ī vessel being towed does not display masthead lights, but sidelights and a sternlight.Ī towing vessel seen from far away can be confusing to a first time mariner, and care must be exercised. In addition, it displays sidelights and a sternlight. If the length of the tow is more than 200 meters, it must display three masthead lights vertically disposed. (normal masthead lights are horizontally displaced, but not in the case of a tug). A tug towing another vessel does not show normal masthead lights, but must show two masthead lights instead one vertically above the other. The diagram shows a trawler.Ī tug towing a barge is not normally considered to be restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. A vessel with sails up, but also being propelled by machinery must show the power-driven vessel ‘running lights’Ī fishing vessel is defined as one engaged in fishing with nets, lines, trawls, or other gear that restricts her ability to manoeuvre. Note also that a vessel aground (where she has run into the seabed and is fast there) shows two red lights in addition to her anchor lights.Ī sailing vessel that is moving shows the same sidelights and sternlight as a powerboat, but does not show a masthead light. For example, the vessel constrained by her draft shows three all round red lights in addition to the normal masthead light(s), sidelights and sternlight. It is important to realise that most ‘special lights’ are shown in addition to the normal running lights of a power driven vessel when a vessel is under mechanical power. Lights on Other VesselsĬlick on the diagram on the left it gives you some typical lights that are displayed by different vessels at night. When she is more than 50 meters in length, she shows two all round lights, with the forward one being higher than the one near her stern. Two sidelights, a green one on her starboard (right) side and a red one on her port (left) sideĪt anchor, a power driven vessel shows an all round (360 degree) light.A second mastlight even higher on her after mast if the length of the vessel is more than 50 meters.Normal Lights & Shapes for Power Driven VesselĪ normal power driven vessel displays (click on any image to enlarge) This is true for all lights, shapes and sound signals for all ships worldwide. The distance at which each light can be seen at sea is also fixed for example, a masthead light must be visible at six nautical miles. The heights and arcs of visibility of each light are prescribed under the rules, and are subject to survey and approval during the construction of the ship. It then becomes easy to determine which is the ‘give way’ vessel, and action is taking accordingly. ![]() But how does she know that this is so? It becomes easy once we realize that the vessel constrained by her draft and the sailing vessel must both display typical lights and shapes. There exists specific rules and responsibilities between vessels at sea, as dictated by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 ( COLREGs).įor example, a sailing vessel, must keep clear of a vessel constrained by her draft.
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