Rule 26 - Fishing Vessels
Overview
Rule 26 defines the lights and shapes required on fishing vessels.
The rule describes the differences between the lights and shapes shown by vessels engaged in different types of fishing.
Rule 26 - Fishing Vessels
- A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.
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:
- 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;
- a masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 metres in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;
- when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit:
- 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;
- 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;
- when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.
- 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.
- 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.
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