Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars

Sailing vessel underway — sidelights + sternlight.

Rule 25 covers lights for sailing vessels and vessels under oars.

A sailing vessel underway shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight.

In a sailing vessel of less than 20 metres, the sidelights and sternlight may be combined in one lantern at or near the top of the mast.

A sailing vessel underway may, in addition to sidelights and sternlight, exhibit at or near the top of the mast two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower green (optional).

A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights for sailing vessels or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light to prevent collision.

Recognition Sequence

Classify the vessel state first: underway, making way, stopped, at anchor, aground, towing, fishing, pilotage or special condition.

Read special lights vertically from top to bottom before using sidelights and sternlight to confirm aspect.

Then confirm the answer with the day shape, vessel length and any extra signal such as towing lights, deck illumination or a cylinder.

Exam Focus

Avoid identifying a vessel from one colour alone.

Many mistakes come from spotting a red light and guessing before checking the full pattern.

If the question mentions 'making way', 'underway but stopped', 'at anchor' or 'aground', that wording usually determines which extra lights or shapes appear.

Key Takeaways

Sailing vessels show sidelights and sternlight only (no masthead light)

Optional red-over-green all-round lights at masthead

Small sailing vessels may combine lights in one lantern

Vessels under oars need at minimum a white light ready

Common Mistakes

Expecting a masthead light on a sailing vessel

Confusing optional red/green masthead lights with required lights

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