In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows:
(a) A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes, one prolonged blast.
(b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes, two prolonged blasts in succession, with an interval of about 2 seconds between them.
(c) A vessel not under command; a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, whether underway or at anchor; a sailing vessel; a vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor; and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule, sound, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes, three blasts in succession, namely, one prolonged followed by two short blasts.
(d) [Reserved]
(e) A vessel towed or if more than one vessel is towed the last vessel of the tow, if manned, shall at intervals of not more than 2 minutes sound four blasts in succession, namely, one prolonged followed by three short blasts. When practicable, this signal shall be made immediately after the signal made by the towing vessel.
(f) 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 shall give the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Rule.
(g) A vessel at anchor shall at intervals of not more than 1 minute ring the bell rapidly for about 5 seconds. In a vessel of 100 meters or more in length the bell shall be sounded in the forepart of the vessel and immediately after the ringing of the bell the gong shall be sounded rapidly for about 5 seconds in the after part of the vessel. A vessel at anchor may in addition sound three blasts in succession, namely, one short, one prolonged and one short blast, to give warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.
(h) A vessel aground shall give the bell signal and if required the gong signal prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule and shall, in addition, give three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. A vessel aground may in addition sound an appropriate whistle signal.
(i) A vessel of 12 meters or more but less than 20 meters in length shall not be obliged to give the bell signals prescribed in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this Rule. However, if she does not, she shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
(j) A vessel of less than 12 meters in length shall not be obliged to give the above-mentioned signals but, if she does not, shall make some other efficient sound signal at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
(k) A pilot vessel when engaged on pilotage duty may, in addition to the signals prescribed in paragraphs (a), (b) or (g) of this Rule, sound an identity signal consisting of four short blasts.
(l) The following vessels shall not be required to sound signals as prescribed in paragraph (g) of this Rule when anchored in a special anchorage area designated by the Coast Guard:
(i) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length; and
(ii) A barge, canal boat, scow, or other nondescript craft.
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§ 83.36 Signals to attract attention (Rule 36).
If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel.
The following state regulations pages link to this page.
It is more difficult to judge speeds and distances at night or in restricted visibility. Understanding lighting configurations will enable you to take corrective action to avoid a collision.
The Marine Safety Act requires that lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in times of restricted visibility during daylight hours. A vessel's lights should indicate:
- What type of vessel it is
- What the vessel is doing
- The direction that the vessel is travelling.
Examples of lighting on different types of vessels and the arcs of lights required, when underway or at anchor, to be visible can be found below.
The images represent the lights of a sailing or human powered vessel underway.
Sailing vessels underway
A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight. If the vessel is less than 20 m in length, the sidelights and sternlights may be combined in one lantern (tricolour lantern) carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.
In addition to the sidelights and sternlight, a sailing vessel underway may exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can be best seen, two all-round lights in vertical line - the upper being red and the lower being green. These lights must not be exhibited in conjunction with a combined lantern (tricolour lantern) if the vessel is less than 20 m in length.
Reminder
Whenever a sailing vessel is using its engine, with or without sails, it is a power-driven vessel within the meaning of the COLREGS and must act accordingly and show the appropriate shapes by day and lights by night. This means that a tricolour lantern must not be used under power.
Sailing vessels underway (not using power) less than 7m in length and boats under oars
If practicable, any of the combinations for vessels under sail, or an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light, exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
This information is also available in a sticker-style PDF.
Powerboats under 12 m in length while underway must show:*masthead lights, a sternlight and a sidelight, or*sidelights and an all round white light.
Vessels under 7 m in length and under 7 knots
Power-driven vessels of less than 7 m in length, whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots, when under way, may exhibit an all-round white light. Sidelights must also be shown if practicable.
Recreational vessels at anchor
All recreational vessels must show an all-round white light while at anchor. If the vessel is drifting (underway but not making way) the vessel must display sidelights, masthead light and stern light.
A vessel of less than 7 meters in length, when at anchor not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or where other vessels normally navigate, is not required to exhibit an all-round white light. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length, when aground, is not required to exhibit an all-round white light.
For vessels under 50 m in length, a second masthead light is optional. For vessels under 12 m in length, sidelights may be a combined lantern on fore and aft centreline.
Vessel towing another vessel
When tow length is under 200 m, two masthead lights are shown (three masthead lights if over 200 m) sidelights and a sternlight. A YELLOW towing light is situated over sternlight of the towing vessel. Vessel towed shows sidelights and a sternlight. When tow length exceeds 200 m, the lights should be displayed as a diamond shape where it can best be seen.
Vessel at anchor
- Length under 50 m: one all-round light where it can best be seen, a second (lower) light at stern is optional.
- Length 50 m or more: two all-round lights, the forward one higher than the aft one.
- Length 100 m or more:shall also illuminate her decks with available working or equivalent lights.
Vessel aground
Anchor lights and two all-round red lights. Vessel under 12 m length is not required to exhibit these lights. This signal does not mean distress or in need of help, but operators should navigate with caution.
Three all-round lights, top and bottom lights red and the middle light white. When making way through the water, vessel also shows masthead lights, sidelights and stern light. When at anchor, vessel also shows anchor lights. This signal does not indicate distress or a need for help, but operators should navigate with caution.
Vessel with an obstruction on one side shall, in addition to restricted ability to manoeuvre lights, carry two all-round red lights on the side of the obstruction, and two all-round green lights on the side that vessels may pass.
Power-driven vessel restricted to a narrow channel by her draught and thus unable to deviate from course. Lights for power-driven vessel under way and three all-round red lights.
Two all-round lights, the top light white and the lower light red. When at anchor, shows anchor light or lights. When under way, shows sidelights and sternlight.
Two all-round red lights and, when making way through the water, sidelights and sternlight (vessels under 12 m in length are not required to comply with these lights). This signal does not mean distress, but shows inability to manoeuvre. Vessels are required to keep clear of vessels not under command.
Two all-round lights, the top light green and the lower light white. A rear masthead light is optional for fishing vessels under 50 m in length. Making way through water, sidelights and sternlights are shown.
Fishing vessel (other than trawling)
Two all-round lights, the top light red and the lower light white. If outlying gear extends over 150 m horizontally from fishing vessel, shows one all-round white light in direction of gear (sidelights and sternlight shown when making way through water). Making way through water, sidelights and sternlights are shown.
Vessel shows an all-round red light at each end and an all-round green light above the red light at the forward end to indicate the direction in which the vessel is proceeding.
Vessels operating in the vicinity of the Paynesville/Raymond Island vehicular ferry must proceed with caution and keep clear of the ferry.
The vessel preparation section of this website has guidance on how to install navigation lights.
By law, navigation lights and their installation on recreational boats are required to comply with the positioning and technical requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) - COLREGs.
| Masthead lights | 2 | 5* | 6 |
| Sidelight | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Sternlight | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Towing light | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| All-round lights (white, red, yellow, green) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
* Where the length of a vessel is 12 m or more, but less than 20 m, the masthead light must be visible for 3 nautical miles.
In inconspicuous, partly submerged vessels or objects being towed, the minimum visibility for an all-round light is 3 nautical miles.
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