PART C-LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 20

Application

  1. Rules in this Part shall be complied with in all weathers.

  2. 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.

  3. 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 is deemed necessary.

  4. The Rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day.

  5. The lights and shapes specified in these Rules shall comply with the provisions of Annex I to these Regulations.

Rule 21

Definitions

  1. "Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and aft centreline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.

  2. "Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. In a vessel of less than 20 metres in length the sidelights may be combined in one lantern carried on the fore and aft centreline of the vessel.

  3. "Sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed as to show the light 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.

  4. "Towing light" means a yellow light having the same characteristics as the "sternlight" defined in paragraph (c) of this Rule.

  5. "All-round light" means a light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees.

  6. "Flashing light" means a light flashing at regular intervals at a frequency of 120 flashes or more per minute.

Rule 22

Visibility of Lights

The lights prescribed in these Rules shall have an intensity as specified in Section 8 of Annex I to these Regulations so as to be visible at the following minimum ranges:

  1. In vessel of 50 metres or more in length:
    - a masthead light, 6 miles;
    - a sidelight, 3 miles;
    - a sternlight, 3 miles;
    - a towing light, 3 miles;
    - a white, red, green or yellow all round light, 3 miles.

  2. In vessels of 12 metres or more in length but less than 50 metres in length:
    - a masthead light, 5 miles except that where the length of the vessel is less than 20 metres, 3 miles;
    - a sidelight, 2 miles;
    - a sternlight, 2 miles;
    - a towing light, 2 miles;
    - a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.

  3. In vessels of less than 12 metres in length:
    - a masthead light, 2 miles;
    - a sidelight, 1 mile;
    - a sternlight, 2 miles;
    - a towing light, 2 miles;
    - a white, red, green or yellow all-round light, 2 miles.

  4. In inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or objects being towed:
    - a white all-round light, 3 miles.

Rule 23

Power-driven Vessels underway

  1. A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

    1. a masthead light forward;

    2. a second mast head 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;

    3. sidelights;

    4. a sternlight.

    Front View Port Side View
    if a vessel
    is 50 metres
    or more
    in length
    Aft View Starboard Side View

    Front View Port Side View
    if a vessel
    is less than
    50 metres
    in length
    Aft View Starboard Side View

  2. 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.

    Front View Port Side View
    Aft View Starboard Side View


    1. A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres in length may in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights;

      Front View Port Side View
      Aft View Starboard Side View

    2. a power-driven vessel of less than 7 metres 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;

      Front View Port Side View
      Aft View Starboard Side View

    3. the masthead light or all-round white light on a power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres 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 the vessel or located as nearly as practicable in the same fore and aft line as the masthead light or the all-round white light.

      Front View Port Side View
      Aft View Starboard Side View

Rule 24

Towing and Pushing

  1. A power-driven vessel when towing shall exhibit:

    1. 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 metres, three such lights in a vertical line;

    2. sidelights;

    3. a sternlight;

    4. a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight;

    5. when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.

    Day View
    if a vessel is 50 metres or more
    in length and the length of
    the tow exceeds 200 metres
    Front View Port Side View
    Aft View Starboard Side View

    Day View
    if a vessel is 50 metres or more
    in length and the length of
    the tow is less
    than 200 metres
    Front View Port Side View
    Aft View Starboard Side View

    Front View Port Side View
    if a vessel is less
    than 50 metres
    in length and
    the length of the tow
    exceeds 200 metres
    Aft View Starboard Side View

    Front View Port Side View
    if a vessel is less
    than 50 metres in length
    and the length of the tow
    is less than 200 metres
    Aft View Starboard Side View

    Front View Port Side View
    if a vessel is less
    than 12 metres
    in length and
    the length of the
    tow is less than
    200 metres
    Aft View Starboard Side View


  2. 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.

  3. A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, except in the case of a composite unit, shall exhibit:

    1. instead of the light prescribed in Rule 23 (a) (i) or (a) (ii), two masthead lights in a vertical line;

    2. sidelights;

    3. a sternlight.

    Front View Port Side View
    if a pushing
    vessel is less than
    50 metres in length
    Aft View Starboard Side View

    Front View Port Side View
    if a pushing vessel
    is 50 metres or more
    in length
    Aft View Starboard Side View

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

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

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    1. sidelights;

    2. a sternlight;

    3. when the length of the tow exceeds 200 metres, a diamond shape where it can best be seen.

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

    1. a vessel being pushed ahead, not being part of a composite unit, shall exhibit at the forward end, sidelights;

      Front View Port Side View
      if a pushing
      vessel is less than
      50 metres in length
      Aft View Starboard Side View

      Front View Port Side View
      if a pushing vessel
      is 50 metres or more
      in length
      Aft View Starboard Side View

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

      Front View Aft View
      if a towing along
      side vessel is less
      than 50 metres in length
      if a towing along
      side vessel is 50 metres
      or more in length

  7. An inconspicuous, partly submerged vessel or object, or combination of such vessels or objects being towed, shall exhibit:

    1. if it is less than 25 metres in breadth, one all-round 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;

    2. if it is 25 metres or more in breadth, two additional all-round white lights at or near the extremities of its breadth;

    3. if it exceeds 100 metres in length, additional all-round white lights between the lights prescribed in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) so that the distance between the lights shall not exceed 100 metres;

    4. 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 metres an additional diamond shape where it can best be seen and located as far forward as is practicable.

  8. 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 towed or at least to indicate the presence of such vessel or object.

  9. 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.
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