Interactive 3D Viewer
3DActive lights
Rule 26: Fishing vessels
Fishing lights/shapes depend on method (trawling vs other fishing) and gear extension.
Detailed Explanation
(a) Fishing vessel, underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only Rule 26 fishing signals when engaged in fishing.
(b) Trawling: (i) green over white all-round (or two cones apex together); (ii) optional masthead abaft/higher for <50 m; (iii) when making way add sidelights and sternlight.
(c) Fishing other than trawling: (i) red over white all-round (or two cones apex together); (ii) outlying gear >150 m: all-round white or cone apex up in gear direction; (iii) when making way add sidelights and sternlight.
(d) Annex II additional close-proximity fishing signals apply where relevant.
(e) When not engaged in fishing, do not show fishing signals; show signals appropriate to vessel type/length.
Key Points
- Fishing (not trawling): red over white all-round
- Trawling: green over white all-round
- Gear extending >150m: white all-round in direction of gear
- Making way: add sidelights and sternlight
Examples
- At night you see a green light over a white light on a vessel — this is a trawler engaged in fishing, showing green-over-white all-round lights per Rule 26(b). She also shows sidelights, confirming she is making way.
- A purse-seiner displays red over white all-round lights and extends outlying gear to starboard, marked by a single white light in that direction per Rule 26(c)(ii). You keep clear of her gear side.
- A fishing vessel at anchor keeps her fishing lights (red over white) displayed because she is still hauling nets. Rule 26(a) says she must show the prescribed fishing lights instead of anchor lights while engaged in fishing.
Common Mistakes
- Displaying fishing vessel lights when merely transiting to fishing grounds with gear stowed.
- Confusing the trawling signal (green over white) with the general fishing signal (red over white).
- Forgetting to add sidelights and sternlight when the fishing vessel is making way through the water.