Rule 26: Fishing Vessels | Lights & Shapes In Depth

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----------ABOUT THE VIDEO----------

This video was originally uploaded to our other channel, Casual Navigation, back in 2018.

This video is an "in depth" look at Rule 26 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Rule 26 continues the section looking at Light and Shapes of different vessels. This rule defines the lights and shapes that fishing vessels must exhibit. I also take a look at Annex 2, which covers additional lights for fishing vessels in close proximity to other fishing vessels.

----------RULE 26----------

Rule 26: Fishing Vessels

(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:

i. 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;

ii. 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;

iii. when making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a stern light.

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

i. 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;

ii. 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;

iii. 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.

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[MrJitzu]

May I just correct one thing, at the end when you’re talking about the 2 yellow lights being occulting, not to be mistaken for IALA’s buoyage definition of occulting where it means that it’s more on than off, here it’s equally on and off. Other than that great video dude, you’re doing a great job at explaining these rules!

[bharathsingathurai]

Thank you so much for your information, I wish if there is much explain about shapes... In another vidoe also will be fine

[marzsit]

one confusing question is do these rules apply only to commercial fishing vessels, or do recreational night fishing vessels also have to comply with these light rules?

[alokdubey]

Great video doing a good job keep uploading.

[bharathwajvasudevan]

One easy way I was taught was:

RAG boat: Red above Green for sailing boats

GAW trawl: Green above white for trawlers

WAW shoot: white above white shooting nets

WARp haul: White above Red hauling nets

RARe stuck: Red above red nets fast

RAW fish: red above white for fishing vls

WAR pilot: White above red for pilot vls

Yellow purse: purse seiners 2 yellow lights

[johnchase]

When hauling nets, a trawler shows the same lights as a vessel under pilotage?

I though that was distinct only to pilotage…

Hmm!

Love this series of videos you have produced, which are extremely helpful👍