Power-driven Vessels

A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in lenght shall show one masthead light, red and green sidelights and a sternlight. It may use an allround light instead of the masthead light. A power-driven vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall show one masthead light, red and green sidelights and a sternlight. A power-driven vessel of more than 50 meters in lenght shall exhibit one masthead light, a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one, red and green sidelights and a sternlight.

Towing and Pushing

A power-driven vessel when towing behind shall use two masthead lights in a vertical line, red and green sidelights, a sternlight and a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight. A power-driven vessel with a tow that exceeds 200 meters when towing behind shall use three masthead lights in a vertical line instead of two, red and green sidelights, a sternlight and a towing light in a vertical line above the sternlight. A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside shall show two masthead lights (three in case of the tow exceeding 200 meters), red and green sidelights and a sternlight.

Sailing
A sailing vessel shall exhibit red and green sidelights and a sternlight. A sailing vessel of less than 20 meters in length may show a tricolor instead of the others. A sailing vessel when motor sailing must declare itself a power-driven vessel by showing a conical black shape, apex downwards.

Fishing
A trawling vessel shall show two all-round lights in a vertical line (the upper being green and the lower white), or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other, a masthead light higher than the green light, red and green sidelights and a sternlight. A trawling vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit the mastheadlight along with the round lights, the sidelights and the stern light, but may do so. A fishing vessel, other than trawling, shall exhibit two all-round lights in a vertical line (the upper being red and the lower white) or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other, red and green sidelights and a sternlight.

Restricted Ability to Manoeuver

A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuver shall show three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen (he highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white), three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen (he highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond) a masthead light, sidelights and a sternlight. Dredgers and dive boats with a restricted ability to manoeuver shall show two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction existsand two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass. Small dive boats must also show an alpha flag.

Constrained by Draught
A vessel constrained by her draught may exhibit three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder, where they can best be seen, along with a masthead light, a second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one, red and green sidelights and a sternlight.

Not Under Command

A vessel not under command shall show two all-round red lights in a vertical line and two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen, and red and green sidelights and a sternlight.

Pilot
A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit near the masthead, two allround lights in a vertical line (the upper being white and the lower red), red and green sidelights and a sternlight. They must also show a hotel flag.

Anchored Vessels
A vessel at anchor shall show: in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball; and near the stern an all-round white light. A vessel of less than 50 meters in length may exhibit only one of the above.

Vessels Aground
A vessel aground shall exhibit two all-round red lights in a vertical line and three balls in a vertical line besides the anchored vessel lights.

Introduction
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) are published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and set out the rules of the road or navigation rules to be followed by ships and other vessels at sea in order to prevent collisions between two or more vessels.

ETS Nutica y Mquinas Grado Ing. Nutica y Transp. Martimo Ingls III Curso 2011-2012

COLREGS

Aida Canedo Fernndez