Week Date:03/09/2026

COLREGS

Topic/s
Rule 19-30

SUBMITTED BY: APARECE, SHELO NIÑO C.

SECTION: 1 -JULIET

SUBMITTED TO: 2/M LAPINID, LEONIDES

 Section III
Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

Rule 19 – Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility

This rule applies when vessels are navigating in restricted visibility, such as fog, heavy
rain, mist, or sandstorms, where ships cannot see each other clearly.
All vessels must proceed at a safe speed so they can take proper action to avoid
collision.
Ships should have their engines ready for immediate maneuver and must use radar
equipment if it is available to detect nearby vessels. If another vessel is detected by
radar alone, the vessel must determine whether a risk of collision exists and take
avoiding action early. Ships should avoid altering course to port for a vessel forward
of the beam, except when overtaking. When hearing the fog signal of another vessel
forward of the beam, a ship must reduce speed to the minimum at which it can keep
course, and if necessary stop until the danger passes.
In fog, mist, heavy rain, or any low-visibility situation where vessels cannot see
each other, this rule takes over to keep everyone safe. All ships must slow to a safe
speed suited to the poor conditions and be ready to stop or turn quickly, with engines
on standby for instant action. When radar shows another vessel nearby, take early
avoiding action if a close-quarters or collision risk is developing, but avoid turning left
toward ships ahead or toward ships on the side or behind. If you hear a fog signal from
forward of the beam or sense you're getting too close without visual contact, reduce
speed to the bare minimum, stop if needed, and move with extreme caution. The rule
stresses extra care, caution, and early decisions because you can't rely on seeing the
other ship.

PART C-LIGHTS AND SHAPES

RULE 20-Application
(a) Rules in this Part shall be complied with in all weathers.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) The Rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day.
(e) The lights and shapes specified in these Rules shall comply with the provisions of
Annex I to these Regulations.
This rule explains when and how vessels must display navigation lights and
shapes in all weather conditions. Lights are required from sunset to sunrise every day,
and also during daytime if visibility is restricted (fog, heavy rain, etc.), and you can turn
them on anytime extra caution is needed. No other lights are allowed at night if they
could be confused with the official navigation lights or block proper lookout. Shapes
(like balls, cones, diamonds) are used only during daylight hours to show the same
information. All lights and shapes must follow the exact technical standards listed in
Annex I so they are clear and consistent worldwide.

Rule 21 – Definitions
This rule defines the different types of navigation lights used on vessels so mariners
can properly identify another ship at night.
Examples include the masthead light, which is a white light placed on the centerline of
the vessel and shining forward; sidelights, which are red on the port side and green
on the starboard side; and the sternlight, which is a white light placed at the rear of the
vessel.
Other lights include the towing light, which is yellow and used by towing vessels, and
all-round lights, which are visible in all directions around the horizon.
This rule gives precise definitions of every type of light used in COLREGs so
everyone understands the signals the same way. A masthead light is a white forward
light covering 225° (from ahead to 22.5° behind each side beam). Sidelights are red
on port (left) and green on starboard (right), each covering 112.5°. A sternlight is white
covering 135° at the back, while an all-round light shines 360° in every direction.
Towing lights are yellow versions of sternlights, and flashing lights blink at least 120
times per minute—these clear definitions prevent confusion when reading lights at
night or in poor visibility.

Rule 22 – Visibility of Lights

This rule specifies the minimum distance at which navigation lights must be visible.
The required range depends on the size and type of [Link] example, larger
vessels must have masthead lights visible from up to 6 nautical miles, while sidelights
may be visible from 2 to 3 nautical miles depending on vessel length. These visibility
requirements ensure that ships can identify each other from a safe distance at night.
This rule sets minimum distances that navigation lights must be visible,
depending on the vessel's size, so other ships can spot you in time. Large vessels (50
m or more) need masthead lights visible for 6 miles, sidelights/sternlights/towing
lights/all-round lights for 3 miles. Medium vessels (12–50 m) drop to 5 miles (or 3 miles
if under 20 m) for masthead, and 2 miles for most others. Small vessels under 12 m
have even shorter ranges, down to 1 mile for sidelights on the tiniest boats. These
distance rules ensure early detection at night or in bad weather, giving everyone more
reaction time to avoid collisions.
Rule 23 – Power-Driven Vessels Underway
Power-driven vessels (ships using engines for propulsion) must display certain lights
when underway at night. They must show a masthead light at the front, a second
masthead light further aft for larger vessels, sidelights (red and green), and a sternlight
at the back. These lights allow other vessels to determine the direction, heading, and
type of vessel they are observing.
This is the standard lighting setup for any motor-powered vessel moving under
its own power. It must show a white masthead light forward (two if over 50 m, with the
second higher and behind), red/green sidelights, and a white sternlight. Hovercrafts in
non-displacement (hover) mode add a flashing yellow all-round light. Wing-in-Ground
(WIG) craft add a high-intensity flashing red all-round light during takeoff, landing, or
low flight. Very small powerboats (under 12 m or especially under 7 m and slow) can
use simplified setups like one all-round white light plus sidelights if needed.

Rule 24 – Towing and Pushing

This rule applies to vessels that are towing or pushing another vessel or object. A
towing vessel must display two masthead lights in a vertical line, and if the tow is
longer than 200 meters, it must display three masthead lights in a vertical line. The
vessel must also show sidelights, a sternlight, and a yellow towing light above the
sternlight. The vessel being towed may also display sidelights and a sternlight to show
its position in the water.
Towing or pushing vessels must use special lights and shapes to warn others
of the extra length and limited maneuverability. A vessel towing astern shows two (or
three for tows >200 m) masthead lights in a vertical line, plus sidelights, sternlight, a
yellow towing light above the sternlight, and a diamond shape for long tows. Pushed
vessels or side tows show two masthead lights vertically, sidelights, and sternlight (no
yellow towing light). Towed vessels show sidelights and sternlight, plus a diamond if
the tow exceeds 200 m. Hard-to-see towed objects (partly submerged, wide, or long)
use multiple white all-round lights spaced by size/length plus diamonds.

Rule 25-Sailing Vessels underway and Vessels under Oars

(a) A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit:
(i) sidelights;
(ii) a sternlight.
(b) In a sailing vessel of less than 20 metres in length the lights prescribed in
paragraph (a) of this Rule may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top
of the mast where it can best be seen.
(c) A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph
(a) of this Rule, exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen,
two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green, but
these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted
by paragraph (b) of this Rule.
(d)
(i) A sailing vessel of less than 7 metres in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the
lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule, but if she does not, she
shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white
light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.
(ii) A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this Rule for sailing
vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or
lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time
to prevent collision.
(e) A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall
exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex down wards.
Sailing vessels underway show only sidelights (red/green) and a sternlight—no
masthead light needed. Small sailing vessels under 20 m can combine them into one
tricolor lantern at the masthead. They may add an optional red-over-green all-round
light pair at the mast for better visibility. Very small sailing vessels under 7 m or any
vessel under oars can skip lights if impractical, but must keep a white flashlight or
lantern ready to show in time to avoid collision. A sailing vessel using its engine must
display a cone apex-down shape by day to show it is no longer “sailing only.”

Rule 26 – Fishing Vessels

Fishing vessels engaged in fishing operations must show special lights to indicate that
they may have restricted maneuverability due to fishing gear.A vessel fishing (but not
trawling) shows red over white lights, while a trawling vessel shows green over white
lights. If the fishing vessel is also making its way through the water, it must display
sidelights and a sternlight as well.
Vessels engaged in fishing display special lights and shapes to show they are
restricted by gear and need space. Trawlers show green-over-white all-round lights (or
two cones apex-to-apex), plus masthead light if large, and add sidelights/sternlight
when moving. Other fishing (nets, lines, etc.) show red-over-white all-round lights (or
two cones), plus a white light or cone pointing toward gear extending >150 m. When
moving, they add regular sidelights and sternlight. When not fishing, they switch back
to normal vessel lights for their size.
 MSC.1/Circ.1260 - UNIFIED INTERPRETATIONS OF COLREG 1972,
AS AMENDED

Rule 27) - Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to

manoeuvre
“Not under command” (NUC) all-round red lights (Rule 27(a)(ii)) may be used as part
of the “Restricted Ability to Manoeuvre” (RAM) lights provided the vertical and
horizontal distances required by COLREG 1972 are complied with and the electrical
system is arranged so that the all-round white light (RAM) may be switched on
independently from the two all-round red lights (NUC).
Vessels that cannot maneuver properly due to breakdown or special work
display clear warning signals. Not-under-command vessels show two red all-round
lights vertically (plus two balls by day), and add sidelights/sternlight if moving.
Restricted in ability to manoeuvre vessels show red-white-red all-round lights vertically
(ball-diamond-ball shapes by day), plus masthead/sidelights/sternlight when moving.
Special cases like dredging show extra red lights/shapes on the obstructed side and
green on the safe-pass side. These signals tell other vessels “I cannot easily get out
of your way—you must keep clear.”

Rule 28- Vessel constrained by their draught

A vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-
driven vessels in rule 23, exhibit where they can best be seen three all-round red lights
in a vertical line, or a cylinder.
A power-driven vessel that is so deep-drafted it cannot safely leave the channel
may add three all-round red lights in a vertical line (or a cylinder shape by day). This
is in addition to its normal power-driven vessel lights from Rule 23. The signal warns
others that the vessel is severely limited in where it can go due to water depth. It is an
optional but recommended extra signal in narrow or shallow waters. The goal is to ask
approaching vessels not to force it out of the safe deep water.

Rule 29 -Pilot Vessels

(a) A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit:
(i) at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper
being white and the lower red;
(ii) when underway, in addition, sidelight and a sternlight;
(iii) when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in subparagraph (i), the light,
lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for vessels at anchor.
(b) A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or shapes
prescribed for a similar vessel of her length.
 A vessel on pilotage duty (transferring harbor pilots) displays white-over-red all-
round lights vertically at or near the masthead. When moving, it also shows sidelights
and sternlight. When anchored, it adds the normal anchor lights/shapes from Rule 30.
When not on pilot duty, it uses ordinary lights for a vessel of its size. The distinctive
white-over-red combo makes pilot boats easy to identify in busy harbor approaches.

Rule 30 – Anchored and Aground Vessels

A vessel at anchor must display an all-round white light where it can best be seen.
Larger vessels usually display two all-round white lights, one at the bow and one at
the stern, to clearly indicate their length.
A vessel that is aground must display the same lights as an anchored vessel and
additionally show two all-round red lights in a vertical line to indicate that it is stuck on
the seabed and unable to move.
A vessel at anchor displays one all-round white light in the forward part (and a
second lower one at the stern if over 50 m), or just one all-round white light if small.
By day it shows one black ball forward (two if large). Very large anchored vessels (100
m+) should also light their decks for better visibility. A vessel aground shows the anchor
lights plus the not-under-command signals (two red lights or balls) to indicate it is stuck
and possibly blocking the way. These signals clearly mark stationary vessels so others
can avoid running into them, especially at night or in channels.