⚓ SeamanEnglish beta

Pilot vessel on duty

White over red, both all-round, at the masthead. "White over red: pilot ahead." Pilot vessel on duty.

fog
60°

Drag across the scene to walk around the ship. Tap a light to see its name.

arcs = Rule 21 sectors

As a power-driven vessel; may add four short blasts as the pilot identity signal (Rule 35).

Lights (Rule 29)

LightColourSectorHeight above water
white all-round light (upper, at the masthead) white all-round, 360° 8.3 m
red all-round light (lower, at the masthead) red all-round, 360° 7.3 m
green sidelight (starboard) green sidelight, starboard, 112.5° 3.6 m
red sidelight (port) red sidelight, port, 112.5° 3.6 m
white sternlight white stern, 135° (around the stern) 1.5 m

Model: a 17 m vessel. Heights and positions follow COLREG Annex I (positioning of lights).

Fog signal

As a power-driven vessel; may add four short blasts as the pilot identity signal (Rule 35).

A short blast lasts about 1 second, a prolonged blast 4 to 6 seconds (Rule 32). The play button is in the trainer above.

What to watch for

White over red is a pilot. Red over white is fishing. The order of the colours is the whole message.

Sidelights and sternlight when underway. At anchor: the two all-round lights plus anchor lights.

Quick answers

What lights does a pilot vessel on duty show at night?

White over red, both all-round, at the masthead. In full: white all-round light (upper, at the masthead); red all-round light (lower, at the masthead); green sidelight (starboard); red sidelight (port); white sternlight.

What is the fog signal of a pilot vessel on duty?

As a power-driven vessel; may add four short blasts as the pilot identity signal (Rule 35).

Test yourself: lights quiz All 13 vessel types Open in the trainer