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Rule 25 Sailing Vessels Underway and
Vessels Under Oars
(a) A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights; and
(ii) a sternlight.
(b) 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.
(c) 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 can best be seen, two 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.
(d)
(i) A sailing vessel of less than 7 meters in length shall, if
practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (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.
(e) A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by
machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical
shape, apex downward. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length is
not required to exhibit this shape, but it may do so.
Rule 25
A sailboat that is underway shows the same sidelights and
sternlight as a powerboat, but does not show a masthead light. From
ahead of a sailboat you see only her sidelights; from astern, only
her sternlight (which gives her the same appearance as a powerboat
from astern). There are, however, variations and additional lights
permitted but not required.
Note that the red-over-green all-round lights at or near
the masthead are in addition to the normal sidelights and
sternlight, which must be shown. However, the optional "tricolor"
light at or near the masthead is in lieu of the normal sidelights
and sternlight, which must not be shown if the tricolor light is
lit.
Remember: A vessel with sails up, but also being propelled by
machinery, even a small outboard motor, must show the lights of a
power-driven vessel - not those of a sailing vessel. The tricolor
light cannot be used in this circumstance. A white forward
"masthead" light must be shown. The Inland Rules exempt a sailboat
less than 12 meters from the requirement to show a cone, point
downward, when under sail and power during daylight; there is no
such exemption in the International Rules.
It is desirable that a sailboat less than 7 meters in length
show normal running lights, but she may alternatively show a white
light, typically a flashlight or electric lantern shown on the
sails; this is quite effective in making known the small craft's
presence.
A rowboat will normally just show a white light in the direction
of another vessel; it could show the same lights as a sailboat, but
will rarely have the capability.
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Rule 26 Fishing Vessels
(a) A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor,
shall exhibit only . the lights and shapes prescribed in this
Rule.
(b) A vessel engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging
through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a
fishing appliance, shall exhibit:
(i) two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being
green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with
their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other.
(ii) a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green
light; a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be
obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so; and
(iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights
prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall
exhibit:
(i) two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red
and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their
apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;
(ii) when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters
horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone
apex upward in the direction of the gear; and
(iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights
prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
(d) The additional signals described in Annex II to these Rules
apply to a vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other
vessels engaged in fishing.
(e) A vessel, when not engaged in fishing, shall not exhibit the
lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed
for a vessel of her length.
Rule 26
A fishing vessel is defined as one engaged in fishing with nets,
lines, trawls, or other gear that restricts her ability to
maneuver. It does not include sport-fishing boats with trolling
lines, which are not considered to pose any such restriction.
Note: that a distinction is made between trawling and
other kinds of fishing, with different special lights but the same
dayshape. Underway but not making way through the water, or at
anchor, only these special lights are shown. If making way, these
lights plus sidelights and a sternlight must be shown (if 50 meters
or longer, a second higher masthead light is required aft). Note
also that a basket is no longer authorized in the International
Rules as a dayshape for smaller fishing vessels.
A "fishing vessel" when not engaged in fishing must show the
normal lights for a vessel of her size; she must not display the
special fishing lights.
In October, 1996, Inland Rules 26(b)(i), (c)(i), and (d) were
changed. The first two changes deleted the alternative basket
dayshape. The third change brought the Inland Rules into parallel
wording with the International Rules. Now all of Inland Rule 26 is
essentially in conformity with the International Rule.
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Rule 27 Vessels Not Under Command or
Restricted in Their Ability To Maneuver
(a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit:
(i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can
best be seen-;
(ii) two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can
best be seen; and
(iii) when making way through the water, in addition to the lights
prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
(b) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, except a vessel
engaged in mine clearance operations, shall exhibit:
(i) three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can
best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red
and the middle light shall be white;
(ii) three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen.
The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the
middle one a diamond;
(iii) when making way through the water, masthead lights,
sidelights and a sternlight, in addition to the lights prescribed
in subparagraphs (b)(i); and
(iv) when at anchor, in addition to the lights or shapes
prescribed in subpara-graphs (b) (i) and (ii), the light, lights or
shapes prescribed in Rule 30.
(c) A vessel engaged in a towing operation which severely
restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate
from their course shall, in addition to the lights or shapes
prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i) and (ii) of this Rule, exhibit
the lights or shape prescribed in Rule 24.
(d) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when
restricted in her ability to maneuver, shall exhibit the lights and
shapes prescribed in subparagraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this
Rule and shall, in addition, when an obstruction exists,
exhibit:
(i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to
indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;
(ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line
to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass;
(iii) when at anchor, the lights or shape prescribed by this
paragraph instead of the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 30 for
anchored vessels.
(e) Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations
makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed
in paragraph (d) of this Rule the following shall instead be
exhibited:
(i) Three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can
best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red
and the middle light shall be white.
(ii) A rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" not less
than 1 meter in height. Measures shall be taken to insure its
all-round visibility.
(f) A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations shall, in
addition to the lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel in Rule
23, or to the lights or shape prescribed for a vessel at anchor in
Rule 30, as appropriate, exhibit three all-round green lights or
three balls. One of these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near
the foremast head and one at each end of the fore yard. These
lights or shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel
to approach within 1,000 meters of the mine clearance vessel. (g) A
vessel of less than 12 meters in length, except when engaged in
diving operations, is not required to exhibit the lights or shapes
prescribed in this Rule.
(h) The signals prescribed in this Rule are not signals of vessels
in distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are contained in
Annex IV to these Rules.
Rule 27
Definitions for "vessel not under command" and "vessel restricted
in her ability to maneuver" are given in Rule 3(f) and (g)
respectively. These vessels cannot physically comply with the
requirements of the Navigation Rules, thus they are granted special
privileges, and their status is indicated by special lights.
Typically, a vessel not under command is one that has suffered a
steering failure or a loss of propulsion power. The term "vessel
restricted in her ability to maneuver" is applicable to one
attached to the bottom for work, such as a dredge, or one engaged
in work in a limited area, such as a Coast Guard buoy tender
servicing an aid to navigation, or a ship laying underwater cables.
A tug towing a barge is not normally considered to be restricted in
her ability to maneuver, but there may be exceptional situations
where this status is warranted and the additional lights and shapes
may be displayed.
A vessel engaged in diving operations may or may not be
restricted in her ability to maneuver. A salvage vessel with "hard
hat" divers down - supplied with air from pumps on the surface - is
definitely restricted in her ability to maneuver and should show
the lights of Rule 27(d) or (e). On the other hand, a dive boat
with free-swimming SCUBA divers in the water is definitely not
restricted and should not show the signals of Rule 27(e). Such a
craft should fly the "diver's flag" (red with one white diagonal
stripe) that signifies "Divers in the water - keep clear." This
flag is not a part of the Navigation Rules, but is widely used and
is legally required by many state and local authorities.
Note: that Rule 27(e) specifically requires "a rigid
replica" of the International Code flag "A"; preferably, this would
be two or more in a cruciform configuration so that it could be
seen from any direction. All too often, vessels are seen flying the
cloth flag - this does not meet the requirement of the Rules.
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Rule 28 Vessels Constrained by Their
Draft (Reserved)
Rule 28
Under the International Rules, a vessel "constrained by her draft"
remains obligated to conform to the Rules covering a meeting or
crossing situation. She has no additional right-of-way over another
vessel and is required to navigate with "particular caution," but
the other vessel is, in turn, required not to impede her safe
passage; see Rule 18(d). There is no Rule 28 in the Inland
Rules.
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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;
and
(iii) when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in
subparagraph (i), the anchor light, lights, or shape prescribed in
Rule 30 for anchored vessels.
(b) A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall
exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed for a similar vessel of her
length.
Rule 29
The lights of pilot vessels are easily remembered by the rhyme
"White over red - pilot ahead." (As contrasted with "Red or green
over white - they're fishing tonight.")
White-over-red lights are also used by fishing vessels when
hauling in their nets if fishing in close proximity to other
fishing vessels (Annex II). However, these lights are used in
conjunction with white-over-green lights so there is little
likelihood of confusion with a pilot vessel.
(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;
and
(iii) when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in
subparagraph (i), the anchor light, lights, or shape prescribed in
Rule 30 for anchored vessels.
(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 30 Anchored Vessels and Vessels
Aground
(a) 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;
and
(ii) at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light
prescribed in subparagraph (i), an all-round white light.
(b) 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. (c) A vessel at
anchor may, and a vessel of 100 meters or more in length shall,
also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate
her decks. (d) A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed
in paragraph (a) or
(b) of this Rule and, in addition, if practicable, where they can
best be seen:
(i) two all-round red lights in a vertical line; and
(ii) three balls in a vertical line.
(e) A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor,
not in or near a narrow channel, fairway, anchorage, or where other
vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the
lights or shapes prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.
(f) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length, when aground, shall
not be required to
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