Ayrton Oneill
Boats have different lights to indicate their purpose and direction of travel. Power-driven vessels have a forward-facing, white masthead light, which is sometimes called a 'steaming light'. A vessel of less than 12 metres in length is allowed to combine the masthead light and stern light, resulting in a single all-round white light. Vessels engaged in fishing will display a red light over a white light, while those engaged in trawling will display a green light over a white light.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vessels under 12 metres in length | Can combine the masthead light and stern light into a single all-round white light |
| Vessels under 7 metres in length capable of less than 7 knots | Can display a single all-round white light instead of other lights |
| Power-driven vessels | Have a forward-facing, white masthead light, also known as a 'steaming light' |
| Power-driven vessels | Have a single white stern light |
| Fishing vessels | Display a red light over a white light to indicate standard fishing |
| Fishing vessels | Display a green light over a white light to indicate trawling |
| All vessels | Should have an all-around light when under power or at anchor |
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What You'll Learn
- Power-driven vessels have a forward-facing, white masthead light
- Vessels under 12 metres can combine the masthead and stern light into a single all-round white light
- Vessels under 7 metres can display a single all-round white light instead of other lights
- Fishing vessels display a red light over a white light
- Trawling vessels display a green light over a white light
Power-driven vessels have a forward-facing, white masthead light
The white light is one of three lights that power-driven vessels are required to have. The other two are a red port light on the left side of the bow and a green starboard light on the right side of the bow. When a power-driven vessel's white stern light is visible, you can't see any of the bow or steaming lights, so you know you are approaching the vessel's stern. This is important as, under the IRPCS (or ColRegs), this makes you the overtaking vessel and therefore the 'Give Way' vessel.
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Vessels under 12 metres can combine the masthead and stern light into a single all-round white light
The masthead light is a forward-facing white light that indicates that the vessel is being propelled by machinery. It is sometimes referred to as a 'steaming light'. The stern light is a single white light that indicates that a vessel is approaching from the stern. When this light is visible, none of the bow or steaming lights can be seen. This is important as, under the IRPCS (or ColRegs), it makes the vessel the overtaking and therefore the 'Give Way' vessel.
A power-driven vessel of less than seven metres in length and capable of a maximum speed of less than seven knots is allowed to display a single all-round white light instead of any other lights. Fishing vessels also turn off their side and stern lights when they aren't making way. Vessels engaged in standard fishing will display a red light over a white light, while those engaged in trawling will display a green light over a white light.
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Vessels under 7 metres can display a single all-round white light instead of other lights
Vessels under 7 metres in length can display a single all-round white light instead of other lights. This is because smaller vessels often don't have the structure to accommodate the two masthead lights required by the rules, which state that the second masthead light must be 4.5 metres higher than the first.
The single all-round white light is used to indicate that the vessel is being propelled by machinery. This light is sometimes referred to as a steaming light. It is important to have this light on when under power, as well as when at anchor, so that other vessels can see you. Without it, another boat could come up behind you without realising you are there.
Power-driven vessels also have a single white stern light. When this light is visible, you know that you are approaching the vessel's stern. This is important as it makes you the overtaking vessel and therefore the 'Give Way' vessel.
Vessels engaged in fishing have different lights. Those engaged in standard fishing will display a red light over a white light, while those engaged in trawling will display a green light over a white light.
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Fishing vessels display a red light over a white light
Boats have different lights to indicate their purpose and direction. Power-driven vessels have a forward-facing, white masthead light, sometimes called a 'steaming light', to indicate that the vessel is being propelled by machinery. Vessels less than 12 metres in length are allowed to combine the masthead light and stern light into a single all-round white light. Vessels less than 7 metres in length and capable of a maximum speed of less than 7 knots are allowed to display a single all-round white light instead of other lights.
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Trawling vessels display a green light over a white light
Vessels engaged in trawling display a green light over a white light. This is to indicate that they are trawling rather than fishing normally.
A vessel of less than 12 metres in length is allowed to combine the masthead light and stern light, which become a single all-round white light. A power-driven vessel of less than 7 metres in length and capable of a maximum speed of less than 7 knots is allowed to display a single all-round white light instead of any other lights.
Power-driven vessels have a forward-facing, white masthead light, which indicates that the vessel is being propelled by machinery. This light is sometimes referred to as a 'steaming light'. Vessels also have a single white stern light. When this light is visible, none of the bow or steaming lights can be seen. This is important as it makes the vessel the 'Give Way' vessel.
All boats have a red port light on the left side of the bow and a green starboard light on the right side of the bow.
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Frequently asked questions
A white light should be placed at the stern of the boat, which is the rear of the boat. This is known as a stern light.
When you see only a white light on another boat, it means you are approaching an anchored vessel or a vessel that is moving in front of you. In this case, you can overtake them and go around them from either side.
The red and green lights that go on the sides of a boat are known as sidelights. Red light goes on the port side (left) and green light goes on the starboard side (right). A tri-color light is sometimes used, which combines the white, red, and green lights.
