Navigation Lights and Shapes – Test Yourself!

Whether new to sailing or an experienced skipper, it is always a good idea to have key navigation lights and shapes fresh in your mind.

At night, it can be very confusing with the many different light configurations displayed in a busy shipping channel. By easily recognising the main navigation lights and shapes, you will cut your stress levels and have a safer passage.

Keep Your Navigation Lights and Shapes Fresh!

After your learn to sail course, make sure you revise these vital navigation aids using your course reference materials. There are also some great apps out there to assist you!

Important COLREGS

The International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea (COLREGS) apply to all vessels upon the high seas and vessels on most waterways, bays, inlets, and rivers connected to the sea.

Rule 20 states that all vessels must display proper lights from sunset to sunrise and in situations where there is limited visibility.

Rule 21 Defines the configurations of navigation lights for different vessels and situations.

Key Navigation Lights and Shapes

Under Sail

• Red and green side lights
• White stern light

– Sailing vessels (less than 20 metres in length) may use a combination mast top tri-color light in place of the standard red and green side lights and white stern light.

– Sailing vessels (less than 7 metres in length) do not need to display lights but must have to hand a white torch light to use to prevent collision.

– Sailing vessels (over 12 metres in length) when also being powered by motor should display a conical shape with the apex pointing downwards.

– To make your sailing vessel even clearer at night, you may display a red over green mast top light in addition to the red and green side lights and white stern light.

Under Power

Powerboats Underway (50 metres and over):

• Red and green side lights
• White stern light
• Two white mast head lights

Powerboats Underway (less than 50 metres):

• Red and green side lights
• White stern light
• Single white mast head light

Powerboats Underway (less than 12 metres):

• Red and green side lights
• All round white light

Vessels Not in Command

Vessel Not in Command/Not Making Way:

• Two all round red lights in line vertically
• Shapes: Two round discs in line vertically

Vessel Not in Command/Making Way:

• Two all round red lights in line vertically
• Red and green side lights
• White stern light
• Shapes: Two round discs in line vertically

Vessels at Anchor

Under 50 metres in length:

• All round white light placed in best position to be seen
• Shape: Round disc

Between 50-100 metres in length:

• All round white light in the fore section
• All round stern white light
• Shape: Round disc

Over 100 metres in length:

• All round white light in the fore section
• All round stern white light
• Decks to be illuminated
• Shape: Round disc

Navigation Lights and Shapes Reference Materials

Navigation Lights and Shapes Cockpit Cards

Navigation Lights and Shapes Flip Cards

Vessel Lights and Buoys Book

NavLights by Tollway Solutions – iTunes *Free

Vessel Lights by Maarten Pennings – Google Play Store *Free

Please email us with app recommendations to pass on to our students!