Part C – lights and shapes

Rule 20 – application

(a)   在任何天氣,都要遵守part C 的規則

(b)   晚上要用lights,晚上的定義是在日落後至日出前, 都要遵守關於lights的規則, 其他無關的lights不可以開,除非不會干擾lights的規則,不會干擾look-out.

(c)    晚上要用lights,在restricted visibility更要用,在其他必要的情況也要用lights.

(d)   日光的時候要守關於shapes的規則

(e)   Light and shape 要合乎annex I

Rules concerning lights apply from sunset to sunrise, in conditions of restricted visibility, and in all other circumstances when it is deemed necessary. Rules concerning shapes apply during the day

Rule 21 – definitions

(a)   Masthead light: 白色的燈, 放在fore and aft centerline of vessel. 225 degrees.

(b)   Sidelights: green light on starboard side. Red light on port side. 112.5 degrees. 短過20米的船,用combined sidelights.

(c)    Sternlight: 白燈, 在stern, 135degrees.

(d)   Towing light: 拖船用的尾燈, 跟sternlight一樣,但黃燈.

(e)   All-round light: 360degrees. 根據不同情況,不同顏色.

(f)     Flashing light: 閃燈, 120 flashes per minute 或以上.

"Masthead light" means a white light on the centreline of the vessel showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel.

"Sidelights" means a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on its respective side. If the vessel is less than 20 metres (66 ft) long, the sidelights may be combined in one fixture carried on the centreline of the vessel.

"Sternlight" means a white light placed as nearly as practicable at the stern showing 67.5 degrees from right aft on each side of the vessel.

"Towing light" means a yellow light having the same characteristics as a "sternlight" defined above.

"All-round light" means a light visible from 360 degrees of the horizon.

"Flashing light" means a light flashing faster than 120 flashes per minute.^[6]

"Long tow" means that the distance between the stern of the towing vessel and the after end of the towed vessel is more that 200 meters (often described as 600 feet in US publications)

Rule 22 – visibility of lights

燈要有幾光

Rule 23 – power-driven vessels underway

(a)   Power-driven vessel underway 要開的燈

(i)                 船頭放一個Masthead light

(ii)               長過50米, 船後放第二個masthead light. 這個燈要比船頭的放得更高. 船短過50米可以選擇不放第2個masthead light, 也可以照放.

(iii)             Sidelights

(iv)              A sternlight

(b)   Air-cushion vessel operating in non-displacement mode. 要開(a)的燈,再加all-round flashing yellow light.

(c)    WIG craft when taking off起飛, landing, in flight near surface. 要開(a)的燈,再加all-round flashing red light.

(d)    

(i)                 Power-driven vessel, 短於12metres. 可以只開all-round white light, sidelights.  (in lieu of 代替(a)提及的燈)

(ii)               Power-driven vessel, 短於7米, 最大速度不超過7knots. 開all-round white light, 如果可以再加sidelights. 代替(a)的燈

(iii)             短於12米的power-driven vessel. 用all-round white light or masthead light. 放在fore and aft centerline of the vessel. 如果fore and aft centerline 放不到all-round white light or masthead light. 就將combined左的sidelights 放在fore and aft centerline 或者 將combined sidelight和all-round white light/masthead light 放在same fore and aft line即是同一條線.

A power-driven vessel underway must display:
a masthead light forward;
If over 50 metres (164 ft) length, then also a second masthead light aft and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;
sidelights;
a sternlight.
A hovercraft must also display an all-round flashing yellow light.
A wing-in-ground craft must also display a bright all-round flashing red light when taking off, landing, or flying near the surface.
A power-driven vessel of less than 12 metres (39.4 ft) may display only an all-round white light and sidelights. However, in the case of a skiff a wooden clinker rowing boat which falls into this category only needs to be capable of showing a white light.
power-driven vessel of less than 7 metres (23.0 ft) whose maximum speed does not exceed 7 knots (13 km/h; 8 mph) must be capable of showing a white light

Rule 24 – towing and pushing

(a)   Power-driven vessel when towing.

(i) 2個masthead lights垂直.

  Length of tow is measured from the stern of towing vessel to the after end of the tow, 超過200米, 用3個masthead light垂直

(ii) Sidelights.

(iii) Sternlight.

(iv) Towing light 垂直放在sternlight上面.

(v) length of two超過200米, 拖船放一個diamond shape在當眼處.

(b)   A pushing vessel and a vessel being pushed ahead are rigidly connected in a composite unit. 這種情況當它是power-driven vessel. 遵守 rule 23.

(c)    A power-driven vessel when pushing ahead or towing alongside, 沒有連結成一體.

(i) 2 masthead lights 垂直.

(ii) sidelights

(iii) sternlight

(不是拖東西,所以不用towing light)

(d)   拖船如果長或等於50米,在後面加一個更高的masthead light就可以,

如果短於50米,可以放或不放.

(e)   Vessel or object being towed要放

(i) sidelights,

(ii) sternlight.

(iii) length of tow超過200米, 再加diamond shape.

(f)     不管拖船拖了幾多隻船alongside, 推了幾多隻船, 如果他們都被連結在一起,就當是一隻  vessel.  

(i)                 一隻vessel被拖船推在前面pushed ahead,沒有連結在一起,被拖物前面要放side lights

(ii)               一隻vessel被拖在旁邊towed alongside, 被拖物前面放side lights,後面放sternlight.

(g)   被拖物是不明顯的,或者部份是沉的.要放的燈:

(i) Breadth短於25米,前面一個all-round white light,後面一個all-round white light. 除了bracones不用放燈,這是一個半浮的桶裝petroleum.

(ii)  breadth 25米或以上, 前後左右各一個all-round white light.

(iii)             長於100米的, 每100米以內,就要放一個all-round white light

(iv)              被拖物的最後放a diamond shape, 如果被拖物長於200米,最前也放a diamond shape

(h)   如果被拖物放不到(e)和(g) 的燈, 可以用自己的方法去照明被拖物

(i)     一隻船不是專業拖船,所以沒有拖船所需要的燈,但這隻船要救另一隻遇難的船,或者需要幫助的船, 這時候,拖船可以不開(a)和(c)的燈. 但根據rule 36, 要想辦法指明拖船和被拖物的關係,特別是要照明拖纜towline

A power driven vessel when towing must show
two masthead lights on top of each other, instead of the masthead(s) prescribed in Rule 23;
for a "long tow", three masthead lights on top of each other, instead of two, and a diamond shape.
sidelights;
a sternlight;
a towing light vertically above the sternlight;
if a pushing vessel and the vessel it is pushing are rigidly connected, they count together as a power driven vessel and must show the light prescribed by Rule 23.
If the pushing vessel and vessel being pushed are not rigidly connected, they must instead show:
two masthead lights on top of each other, instead of the masthead(s) prescribed in Rule 23;
sidelights;
a sternlight on the pushing vessel only.
Power driven vessels larger than 50 metres (164 ft) which are towing or pushing and are not part of a composite unit must also show:
a second masthead abaft of and higher than the forward one (vessels smaller than 50 metres may also show this light).
Vessels being towed that are not inconspicuous or partly submerged must show:
sidelights;
a sternlight;
a diamond shape if the tow is longer than 200 metres (656 ft).
Any number of vessels being towed or pushed together shall be lit as one vessel, and
a vessel being pushed ahead must show sidelights at its forward end if it is not part of a composite unit;
a vessel being towed alongside must show a sternlight and sidelights at its forward end.
A vessel being towed that is inconspicuous or partly submerged must show:
if it is narrower than 25 metres (82 ft), one all-round white light near the forward end (except if it is a dracone) and one near the after end;
if it is wider than 25 metres (82 ft), then also two all round white lights at the extremities of its breadth;
if it is longer than 100 metres (328 ft), then in a series of such all round white lights spaced no further than 100 metres (328 ft) apart;
a diamond shape near the end of the last vessel, and, if the tow is longer than 200 metres (656 ft), another diamond shape as far forward as possible.
If for any reason it is not possible to light the vessel according to these rules, all possible measures must be taken to light the vessel and indicate its presence.
If the towing vessel is not normally engaged in towing operations and it is impractical to light it correctly, it is not obliged to show these lights if it is towing a vessel in distress or in need of assistance. All possible measures must be taken to show that it is towing; in particular the towline should be illuminated.

Rule 25 – sailing vessels underway and vessels under oars

(a)   Underway的sailing vessel 要開

(i)                 Sidelights

(ii)               A sternlight

(b)   短於20米的sailing vessel ,將sidelights and sternlight combined. 放在top of the mast 或者附近的當眼處.

(c)    Sailing vessel 可以選擇用(a)的燈, 另外再at top of the mast or near the mast where they can be best seen, 放2個all-round light in a vertical line. 上紅下綠. 用(c)這個方法,就不要用(b)的燈.

(d)   (i) 短於7米的sailing vessel 用(a)或者(b)的燈,如果不能夠. 要準備一個白燈電筒an electric torch 或者 白燈燈籠lighted lantern showing a white light. 能夠隨時開燈避免碰撞.

(ii) vessel under oars 可以跟這條rule, 如果跟不到,就用白電筒或白燈籠

(e)   Sailing vessel 同時有engine, can be propelled by machinery. 要放船前當眼處放一個conical shape圓錐, apex downwards 箭嘴向下. 在晚上,就當是power-driven vessel,守rule 23.

(a) A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit:

1. sidelights;

2. a sternlight.

(b) In a sailing vessel of less than 20 metres (66 ft) in length the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule may be combined in one lantern carried at or near the top of the mast where it can best be seen.

(c) A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit at or near the top of the mast, where they can best be seen, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green, but these lights shall not be exhibited in conjunction with the combined lantern permitted by paragraph (b) of this Rule.

(d) 1. A sailing vessel of less than 7 metres (23.0 ft) in length shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

2. A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this Rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

(e) A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards.

Rule 26 – fishing vessels

(a)   Vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor. 只可以放這條rule的lights and shapes.

(b)   Vessel engaged in trawling拖網,要放的燈

(i) two all-round light 垂直,上綠下白, 或者 放a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other即係八號風球的圖案,

(ii) 長於50米,在綠色all-round light 後上方,放一個masthead light. 短於50米可以放或可以不放.

(iii)             When making way, 放了以上的燈,再加sidelights, a sternlight

(c)    沒有trawling,但engaged in fishing:

(i) two all-round lights 垂直, 上紅下白, 或者 a shape consisting two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other. 八號風球

(ii) outlying gear extending more than 150m horizontally from the vessel. 向外伸延的漁具, 放一個all-round white light 或者 a cone apex upwards in the direction of gear

(iv)              when making way, 開以上的燈再加side lights , a sternlight

(d)   vessel engaged in fishing signal in annex II

(e)   Not engaged in fishing 不可放以上的燈, 應根據漁船長度放燈(當power-driven vessel)

(a) A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.

(b) A vessel when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a fishing appliance, shall exhibit:

1.    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;

2.    a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 metres (164 ft) in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;

3.    when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit:

1.    two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

2.    when there is outlying gear extending more than 150 metres horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upwards in the direction of the gear;

3.    when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

(d) The additional signals described in Annex II to these Regulations apply to a vessel engaged in fishing in close proximity to other vessels engaged in fishing.

(e) A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

Rule 27 – vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre

(a)   Vessel not under command:

(i) two all-round red lights 垂直,在當眼處

(ii) two balls or similar shapes 垂直,在當眼處

(iii) when making way, 開上面的燈再加sidelights and a sternlight

(b)   除了vessel engaged in mine水雷 clearance operation, vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre 要放:

(i) three all-round lights 垂直,當眼處, 上中下:紅白紅

(ii) three shapes 垂直,當眼處, 上中下:ball diamond ball

(iii) when making way, 開上面的燈,再加masthead lights(數量視乎長度), sidelights, a sternlight.

(iv) at anchor, 開上面的燈和上面的shapes, 再加rule30 的lights and shapes

(c)    Vessel engaged in towing operation 放rule 24(a) (towing vessel) 的燈,如果被拖物太重,令拖船restricted in ability to manoeuvre, 再加rule 27(b)(i)(ii)的lights, shapes.

(d)   Vessels engaged in dredging挖泥 or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. 放(b)(i)(ii)(iii), 如果有障礙物,為了提醒其他船,要再加上:

(i) two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists.

(ii) two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass 指出這邊可以安全通過.

(iii) at anchor, 不用放rule 30的lights and shape,放這條rule的lights and shapes就ok.

(e)   Vessel engaged in diving operations. 但size太小,不能放晒(d)的燈

(i) three all-round lights 垂直,當眼處, 紅白紅

(ii) Flag A ,放在1米以上, 當眼

(f)     Vessel engaged in mine clearance operation. 用rule23 power-driven vessel. 用rule 30 vessel at anchor. 再加3 all-round green lights or three balls.

1個near the foremast head, one at each end of the fore yard.

這個signal是指1000米內都是危險的,其他vessel 不要靠近

(g)   Vessel 短於12米, 除了engaged in diving operations, 都不用守這條rule

(h)   這條rule的signal不是求救訊號, 求救訊號在annex iv

Vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre

(a) A vessel not under command shall exhibit:

1. two all-round red lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen;

2. two balls or similar shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen;

3. when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

(b) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, except a vessel engaged in mine-clearance operations, shall exhibit:

1.    three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;

2.    three shapes in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these shapes shall be balls and the middle one a diamond;

3.    when making way through the water, a masthead light or lights, sidelights and a sternlight, in addition to the lights prescribed in sub-paragraph (i);

4.    when at anchor, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii), the light, lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30.

(c) A power-driven vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course shall, in addition to the lights or shapes prescribed in Rule 24(a), exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in sub-paragraphs (b)(i) and (ii) of this Rule.

(d) A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations, when restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, shall exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in sub-paragraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) of this Rule and shall in addition, when an obstruction exists, exhibit:

1.    two all-round red lights or two balls in a vertical line to indicate the side on which the obstruction exists;

2.    two all-round green lights or two diamonds in a vertical line to indicate the side on which another vessel may pass;

3.    when at anchor, the lights or shapes prescribed in this paragraph instead of the lights or shape prescribed in Rule 30.

(e) Whenever the size of a vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit all lights and shapes prescribed in paragraph (d) of this Rule, the following shall be exhibited:

1.    three all-round lights in a vertical line where they can best be seen. The highest and lowest of these lights shall be red and the middle light shall be white;

2.    a rigid replica of the International Code flag "A" not less than 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height. Measures shall be taken to ensure its all-round visibility.

(f) A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations shall in addition to the lights prescribed for a power-driven vessel in Rule 23 or to the lights or shape prescribed for a vessel at anchor in Rule 30 as appropriate, exhibit three all-round green lights or three balls. One of these lights or shapes shall be exhibited near the foremast head and one at each end of the fore yard. These lights or shapes indicate that it is dangerous for another vessel to approach within 1,000 metres (0.62 mi) of the mine clearance vessel.

(g) Vessels of less than 12 metres (39.4 ft) in length, except those engaged in diving operations, shall not be required to exhibit the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.

(h) The signals prescribed in this Rule are not signals of vessels in distress and requiring assistance. Such signals are contained in Annex IV to these Regulations.

Rule 28 – vessels constrained by their draught

用rule23 power-driven vessel 的燈, 可以選擇再加3 all-round red lights 垂直, or a cylinder ,在當眼處

A vessel constrained by her draft may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23, exhibit where they can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder.

Rule 29 – pilot vessels

(a) vessel engaged in pilotage duty :

  (i) at or near masthead, two all-round lights 垂直, 上白下紅

  (ii) underway, (i)加sidelights, sternlight

  (iii) at anchor, (i)加rule 30

(b) pilot vessel not engaged on pilotage duty. 當是power-driven vessel, 根據長度放燈.

(a) A vessel engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit:

1.    at or near the masthead, two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being white and the lower red;

2.    when underway, in addition, sidelights and a sternlight;

3.    when at anchor, in addition to the lights prescribed in subparagraph (1), the light, lights, or shape prescribed in Rule 30 for vessels at anchor.

(b) A pilot vessel when not engaged on pilotage duty shall exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed for a similar vessel of her length.

Rule 30 – anchored vessels and vessels aground

(a) vessel at anchor:

(i) 船頭,放all-round white light or one ball.

(ii) 船尾,放一個all-round white light 低於船頭的

(b) vessel 短於50米,不用(a)的燈, 用一個all-round white light 當眼處.

(c) 100米以上的船, 一定要用工作燈working light或類似的燈,照明deck, 少於100米的船可以自行選擇.

(d) vessel aground 開(a)(b) 的燈, 在當眼處再加

(i) two all-round red lights垂直

    (ii) three balls 垂直

(i)     Vessel短於7米 at anchor 不用開(a)(b)燈, 除非in or near narrow channel, fairway, anchorage, where other vessels normally navigate.

(j)     Vessel短於12米, aground 不用(d)的燈

(k)   A vessel at anchor must display an all-round white light or one black ball in the fore part and another all-round white light at or near the stern at a lower level than the light in the fore part. BUT if the vessel is less than 50 meters in length it may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights foresaid.

Rule 31 – seaplanes and WIG craft

Seaplanes and WIG craft 好難跟這signal and light rules, 盡量用相似的signal.

Where it is impracticable for a seaplane or a WIG craft to exhibit lights and shapes of the characteristics or in the positions prescribed in the Rules of the Part she shall exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar in characteristics and position as is possible.