Question 1

At night you observe a vessel showing: all-round green light (top), all-round white light (middle), all-round white light (bottom). She also shows sidelights. What is this vessel and what is her status?

Accepted Answer

Green over white over white: this is a VESSEL ENGAGED IN TRAWLING — Rule 26(b). When trawling (dragging a net through the water): the upper all-round green light and lower all-round white light in a vertical line, plus sidelights and sternlight when making way. This confirms the vessel is a trawler MAKING WAY (sidelights visible). A vessel trawling shows green over white; a vessel NOT trawling shows no special lights. Note: Rule 26(a) — ALL vessels engaged in fishing (trawling or with nets/lines) must show the Rule 26 lights whether making way or not. Obligation: Rule 18(a)(iii) — power-driven vessels shall keep out of the way of vessels engaged in fishing. The trawler is give-on. You must keep clear. Rule 26 fishing vessels is a fundamental lights identification question. The distinction: Rule 26(b) TRAWLING — green over white; Rule 26(c) OTHER FISHING (not trawling, e.g., long lines, set nets, purse seiners) — red over white. Memory aid: "green for go" — trawlers are generally active, moving through the water; red for other fishing. The rule: "A vessel engaged in trawling... shall exhibit... two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other." When making way (sidelights visible): the trawler shows sidelights in addition. A vessel trawling with gear extended on one side may show an additional all-round white light in the direction of the gear. By day: two cones apex-to-apex (double diamond shape — sometimes colloquially called "the flying saucer"). Rule 18(a)(iii): power-driven vessels KEEP CLEAR of vessels engaged in fishing. This rule applies whether the fishing vessel is making way or stopped.

Question 2

At night you observe a vessel showing: two all-round red lights in a vertical line. No other lights visible. You are approaching on her starboard bow at 2nm. What is this vessel, what are your obligations, and what do you monitor?

Accepted Answer

Two all-round red lights in a vertical line: this is a VESSEL NOT UNDER COMMAND (NUC) — Rule 27(a). The vessel is unable to manoeuvre as required by COLREGs due to some exceptional circumstance. Obligations: Rule 18 — all power-driven vessels must keep out of the way of a NUC vessel. You are the give-way vessel regardless of aspect or crossing/overtaking geometry. Actions: alter course and/or reduce speed early and substantially to keep clear; do NOT cross ahead of a NUC vessel. Monitor: watch for any green (starboard) or white (sternlight) becoming visible — this confirms aspect and direction of drift; watch for any additional lights (towing, dredging); check for any DSC/MAYDAY on DSC Ch70 or Ch16 — a NUC vessel may be in distress. Rule 35 fog signals for NUC: two prolonged + one short blast every 2 minutes if making way; two prolonged if stopped. Rule 27(a) is unambiguous: two all-round red lights in a vertical line = NUC. This is one of the most commonly tested vessel identification lights at OOW level. The examiner will vary the context — approaching from different angles, in a channel, in restricted visibility — to test whether the candidate applies the correct Rule 18 obligation regardless of geometry. Confusion points: two all-round RED (not white) vertical lights = NUC; two all-round WHITE vertical lights in addition to masthead/sidelights = power-driven vessel over 50m underway (forward and after masthead lights). NUC by day: two black balls in a vertical line. Monitoring considerations: a NUC vessel may be drifting with the current and wind — its actual track through the water (and over ground) may be very different from any apparent heading. Use radar to determine the rate of drift and set, not just the bearing. Sound signals from a NUC vessel should trigger immediate concern if heard in restricted visibility.

Question 3

You observe a vessel at night showing: one all-round red light and one all-round white light below it, in a vertical line. She also shows sidelights and a sternlight. Bearing 210° at 4nm. What is this vessel?

Accepted Answer

All-round red over white in a vertical line WITH sidelights: this is a PILOT VESSEL underway — Rule 29(a)(i). The red over white is the internationally recognised pilot vessel identification light. The sidelights confirm she is underway and making way. Obligations: no specific Rule 18 obligation to keep clear of pilot vessels — they are treated as power-driven vessels underway for collision avoidance purposes (Rule 18 list does not include pilot vessels). Apply normal Rules 12-17 based on aspect and situation. By day: pilot vessels display the international flag "H" (Hotel — vertical halves, white and red). Rule 29 — Pilot vessels: "A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit at or near the masthead, the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, consisting of two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red." Wait — check: Rule 29(a)(i) states upper RED and lower WHITE? No: Rule 29(a)(i): "at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red." Correction: UPPER WHITE, LOWER RED. The examiner card shows red over white — this would be an error or a test of careful reading. In the COLREGs text, pilot vessels show WHITE over RED (upper white, lower red). Red over white does not correspond to a Rule 29 pilot vessel — candidates must know the correct order. The correct pilot vessel light is WHITE (upper) over RED (lower). This question as presented would catch candidates who have memorised "pilot = red over white" incorrectly. At exam level, precise knowledge of the vertical order of lights is tested.