Navigation lights — quick reference
COLREG 1972, Rules 20–31. This is a memory-jogger, not a substitute for reading the rules.
- Power-driven vessel underway (>50m)Masthead (white) + second higher masthead abaft, sidelights (green stbd/red port), sternlight (white).
- Power-driven vessel underway (<50m)One masthead (white), sidelights, sternlight.
- Sailing vessel underwaySidelights + sternlight. Optional red-over-green at masthead.
- Vessel at anchor (<50m)One all-round white forward.
- Vessel at anchor (>50m)All-round white forward + another all-round white aft, lower.
- Vessel agroundAt-anchor lights + two all-round red in vertical line.
- Towing (length of tow < 200m)Two masthead (white) in vertical line, sidelights, sternlight, towing light (yellow) above sternlight.
- Towing (length of tow > 200m)Three masthead (white) in vertical line + sidelights + sternlight + towing light.
- Fishing (not trawling)Red over white all-round in vertical line + sidelights + sternlight when making way.
- TrawlingGreen over white all-round in vertical line + sidelights + sternlight when making way.
- Not under commandTwo all-round red in vertical line; if making way, also sidelights and sternlight.
- Restricted in ability to manoeuvreRed-white-red all-round in vertical line.
- Constrained by draughtThree all-round red in vertical line, in addition to lights for a power-driven vessel.
- Pilot vesselWhite over red all-round + sidelights + sternlight when underway.