Vessel not under command (NUC)
Two red all-round lights in a vertical line. Two reds in a vertical line: "I am not under command." No masthead lights.
Drag across the scene to walk around the ship. Tap a light to see its name.
Lights (Rule 27a)
| Light | Colour | Sector | Height above water |
|---|---|---|---|
| red all-round light (upper) | red | all-round, 360° | 17 m |
| red all-round light (lower) | red | all-round, 360° | 15 m |
| green sidelight (when making way) | green | sidelight, starboard, 112.5° | 13 m |
| red sidelight (when making way) | red | sidelight, port, 112.5° | 13 m |
| white sternlight (when making way) | white | stern, 135° (around the stern) | 6 m |
Model: a 90 m ship with the superstructure aft. Heights and positions follow COLREG Annex I (positioning of lights).
Day shapes
- ball · upper ball
- ball · lower ball
Shapes are black and hoisted where they can best be seen: a ball at least 0.6 m in diameter, vertical spacing at least 1.5 m (Annex I, section 6). Set the trainer above to day to see them.
Fog signal
One prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes (Rule 35c).
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
A NUC carries no masthead lights. Sidelights and sternlight only while she is still making way.
By day: two balls in a vertical line.
Quick answers
What lights does a vessel not under command (NUC) show at night?
Two red all-round lights in a vertical line. In full: red all-round light (upper); red all-round light (lower); green sidelight (when making way); red sidelight (when making way); white sternlight (when making way).
What day shapes does a vessel not under command (NUC) show?
By day she shows: upper ball; lower ball.
What is the fog signal of a vessel not under command (NUC)?
One prolonged and two short blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes (Rule 35c).