Pocket card · Deck Pass

No. 1 Lights at night: pocket card

A study card to print and fold: it summarises; the official rules govern.

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Night picture, top to bottom: white light, green light, red light.

Straight ahead at night you see this. What is it?

A power-driven vessel under 50 m, coming straight at you

Inland Navigation Rules 21, 23(a) and 14 (33 CFR 83.21, 83.23, 83.14)

Night picture, top to bottom: white light (right), white light (left), red light (left).

Two white lights, the right-hand one higher, and one red light below the left-hand white. What is it?

A power-driven vessel, probably 50 m or longer, showing you her port (left) side

Inland Navigation Rules 21(a)-(b) and 23(a)(i)-(ii) (33 CFR 83.21, 83.23)

Night picture, top to bottom: green light, red light.

A red and a green light side by side, and no white light above them. What is the likeliest answer?

A sailing vessel underway, coming toward you

Inland Navigation Rules 25(a)-(b) and 24(e) (33 CFR 83.25, 83.24)

Night picture, top to bottom: red light, red light.

Two red lights, one above the other, and nothing else. What is it?

A vessel not under command, not making way

Inland Navigation Rules 27(a) (33 CFR 83.27)

Night picture, top to bottom: red light, white light, red light.

Red, white, red in a vertical line. What is it?

A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (dredging, cable laying, underwater work)

Inland Navigation Rules 27(b) (33 CFR 83.27)

Night picture, top to bottom: green light, white light, green light, red light.

Green over white high up, and a green and a red light lower down. What is it?

A vessel trawling, making way, coming toward you

Inland Navigation Rules 26(b) (33 CFR 83.26)

Night picture, top to bottom: red light, white light.

Red over white, and no sidelights. What is it?

A vessel fishing other than trawling, not making way

Inland Navigation Rules 26(c) (33 CFR 83.26)

Night picture, top to bottom: white light, red light.

White over red at the masthead. What is it?

A pilot vessel on pilotage duty

Inland Navigation Rules 29(a) (33 CFR 83.29)

Night picture, top to bottom: white light (left), white light (right).

Two white lights, the LEFT one higher, no red or green anywhere. What is it?

A vessel at anchor (two lights required at 50 m and over)

Inland Navigation Rules 30(a), (b) and (d) (33 CFR 83.30)

Night picture, top to bottom: yellow light, white light.

You are coming up behind a vessel and see a yellow light directly above a white one. What is it?

A power-driven vessel towing astern, seen from behind

Inland Navigation Rules 21(c)-(d) and 24(a)(iii)-(iv) (33 CFR 83.21, 83.24)

Night picture, top to bottom: yellow light, yellow light.

On inland waters you see two yellow lights, one above the other, from astern. What is it?

A vessel pushing ahead or towing alongside, seen from behind

Inland Navigation Rules 24(c) (33 CFR 83.24)

Night picture, top to bottom: white light, white light, green light, red light.

Two white lights in a vertical line above a green and a red light. What is it?

A power-driven vessel towing or pushing, coming toward you

Inland Navigation Rules 24(a)(i) and 24(c)(i) (33 CFR 83.24)

Marina Magazine study aid; the official rules govern. marinamagazine.info