Fishing vessels
In plain language
A vessel engaged in fishing shows all-round red over white; when trawling, all-round green over white. With outlying gear over 150 m she adds an all-round white light in the direction of the gear. 'Red over white, fishing at night.'
Full text of Rule 26
A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.
A vessel when 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:
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;
a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;
when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit:
two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;
when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 metres horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear;
when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
The additional signals described in Annex II to these Regulations apply to a vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing.
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.
Reproduced from the COLREGs 1972 (as amended) for study. Always verify against the official IMO publication.
Key points
- 1
Trawling: green over white. Other fishing: red over white.
- 2
Making way: sidelights and sternlight as well; not making way: the fishing lights only.
- 3
Day shape: two cones with apexes together.