Rule 29 covers lights for pilot vessels.
An interactive 3D illustration is shown here. The same content is described in the rule text and key takeaways below.
Recognition Sequence
Classify the vessel state first: underway, making way, stopped, at anchor, aground, towing, fishing, pilotage or special condition.
Read special lights vertically from top to bottom before using sidelights and sternlight to confirm aspect.
Then confirm the answer with the day shape, vessel length and any extra signal such as towing lights, deck illumination or a cylinder.
Exam Focus
Avoid identifying a vessel from one colour alone.
Many mistakes come from spotting a red light and guessing before checking the full pattern.
If the question mentions 'making way', 'underway but stopped', 'at anchor' or 'aground', that wording usually determines which extra lights or shapes appear.
Key Takeaways
White over red all-round lights at masthead when on duty
Normal navigation lights (sidelights, sternlight) when underway
Normal anchor lights when at anchor
Shows regular lights when not on pilotage duty
Common Mistakes
Confusing pilot vessel lights with other special vessel lights
Test Your Knowledge
Test your knowledge and prove your mastery.
More rules in this Part
- Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under OarsSailing vessels show sidelights and sternlight. May optionally show red over green all-round lights at the masthead.
- Fishing VesselsFishing vessels show green over white when trawling, red over white for other fishing, and sidelights plus sternlight when making way.
- Vessels Not Under Command or Restricted in Ability to ManoeuvreNUC shows two red all-round lights vertically. RAM shows red-white-red all-round lights vertically.
- SeaplanesWhere it is impracticable for a seaplane to exhibit lights of the exact characteristics, it shall exhibit lights as closely similar as possible.
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