Pilot vessels
In plain language
A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shows all-round white over red at the masthead — 'white over red, pilot ahead' — plus sidelights and sternlight when underway, or anchor lights when at anchor.
Full text of Rule 29
A vessel engaged in pilotage duty shall exhibit:
at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red;
when underway, in addition, sidelights and a sternlight;
when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in sub-paragraph (i), the light, lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for vessels at anchor.
A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed for a similar vessel of her length.
Reproduced from the COLREGs 1972 (as amended) for study. Always verify against the official IMO publication.
Key points
- 1
White over red near the masthead identifies pilotage duty.
- 2
Underway she also shows sidelights and a sternlight.