Power-driven vessels underway
In plain language
A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit a masthead light forward, sidelights and a sternlight. Vessels of 50 m or more carry a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one.
Full text of Rule 23
A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:
a masthead light forward;
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;
sidelights;
a sternlight.
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.
A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and in flight 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.
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.
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.
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.
Reproduced from the COLREGs 1972 (as amended) for study. Always verify against the official IMO publication.
Key points
- 1
Under 50 m: one masthead light, sidelights, sternlight.
- 2
50 m and over: two masthead lights — the after one higher.
- 3
Under 12 m may carry a combined lantern and one all-round white light instead.
- 4
Air-cushion vessels also show an all-round flashing yellow light.