Vessel Lights
From Collision Regulations: “The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise … (and) also be exhibited from sunrise to sunset in restricted visibility and may be exhibited in all other circumstances when it is deemed necessary.”- When underway and compelled to display navigational lights:
- Vessels under 7 meters (and incapable of speeds greater than 7 knots) must display at least one all-round white light.
- Vessels larger than 7 meters (and/or capable of greater than 7 knots) must display port and starboard lights as well as a white stern light. The arc of visibility of the port and starboard sidelights is said to be from right ahead to two points abaft the beam. This equates to 112.5 degrees on either side. The white stern light arc of visibility is therefore 135 degrees. (see Fig. 1)
If the vessel is a power driven vessel larger than 7 meters, it must also display a white masthead light (as shown in Fig. 2)- If the vessel is less than 12 meters, its masthead light and stern lights can be combined into one all round white light
- If a ship is passing ahead of you, the color of the sidelights will determine which direction it’s facing. If red is visible, the observer is viewing its port side. If green is visible, the observer is viewing its starboard side. If both are visible however, it is facing the observer.
- All other vessel lights apart from these four (port, starboard, stern, and masthead) should be all-round lights. (Note that sailing vessels less than 20 meters can optionally exhibit their sidelights and stern light atop their mast in a combination light with the appropriate visibility arcs)
Further requirements for vessel lights:
| Power driven vessels under 50 meters require one masthead light (but may opt for two). Vessels under 12m may combine their stern light and masthead light into one all round white light. Note that due to the arc of visibility, the stern light isn't visible from the beam. |  |
| Power driven vessels 50 meters and over are required to show two white masthead lights with vertical separation. |  |
| Vessels 50 meters and over at anchor are required to show a white all-round light forward high up, and another aft lower down. |  |
| A vessel aground shall exhibit the anchor signals and two all-round red lights in a vertical line |  |
| A vessel that is underway but not under command will show two all-round red lights in a vertical line |  |
| An air-cushioned vessel (hovercraft) will display a flashing yellow all-round light |  |
| A vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver shall exhibit three lights in a vertical line with the top and bottom being red and the middle being white. This includes vessels engaged in diving activities. |  |
| A vessel constrained by its draft shall display three red lights in a vertical line |  |
| A vessel engaged in mine clearance is to display three green all-round lights with one atop the foremast and one at each end of the fore yard. All vessels to keep clear 1km minimum. |  |
| A vessel engaged in fishing operations shall display two lights in a vertical line with red being on top and white on the bottom |  |
| A vessel engaged in trawling operations shall display two lights in vertical line with green being on top and white on the bottom |  |
| A vessel engaged in purse seining operations shall display the two red and white fishing operations lights as well as two alternating yellow flashing lights in a vertical line |  |
| A pilot vessel engaged in pilotage duty shall display two lights in a vertical line with white being on top and red on the bottom |  |
| A vessel engaged in towing operations shall display two white lights in a vertical line. If the length of the tow (measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel) is greater than 200 meters, the towing vessel shall display three white lights in a vertical line. The vessel being towed shall exhibit it's sidelights and stern light. |  |
For more detailed information on vessel lights, refer to the collision regulations located here.
Vessel Day Shapes
- From Collision Regulations: “The Rules concerning shapes shall be complied with by day.”
- Day shapes are large black objects shaped as balls, triangles, diamonds, and cylinders. These shapes are used to indicate vessel operations during daylight hours and displayed nearby to where the masthead light is mounted. The exact location of the day shapes isn’t specified by the Collision Regulations but said that they should be placed where they can “best be seen”.
- Note that while the knowledge of all regulations regarding vessel day shapes aren’t a requirement of the Bridge Watch Rating, knowledge of shape requirements is still valuable.
- A vessel at anchor during the daytime should display one ball shape.
- A vessel underway but not under command should display two balls in a vertical line.
- A vessel aground should display three balls in a vertical line.
- A vessel restricted in it’s ability to maneuver should display three shapes in a vertical line: a ball on top and bottom with a diamond in the middle.
- A vessel restricted by it’s draft should display a cylinder.
- A vessel engaged in fishing operations should display a triangle pointing down above a triangle pointing up.
- A vessel engaged in underwater operations may signal a particular side that is safe to pass on. The safe passage side will be indicated by two diamonds in a vertical line.
- A sailing vessel making use of an auxiliary engine should display a triangle pointing down.
- Note that while these shapes are required by Transport Canada regulations, the vigilance of all mariners may not always be relied upon and as always, caution and common sense should be employed in lieu of the possibility of vessels not displaying their appropriate shapes.
- Vessel day shapes are typically kept on or near the bridge.