Rule 30: Anchored Vessels & Vessels Aground | 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 30 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. This video continues the section looking at Light and Shapes of different vessels. Rule 30 defines the lights and shapes that vessels at anchor and vessels aground need to exhibit.

----------RULE 30----------

Rule 30: Anchored vessels and vessels aground

(a) A vessel at anchor shall exhibit where it can best be seen:

i. in the fore part, an all-round white light or one ball;

ii. at or near the stern and at a lower level than the light prescribed in sub-paragraph (i), an all-round white light.

(b) A vessel of less than 50 metres in length may exhibit an all-round white light where it can best be seen instead of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule.

(c) A vessel at anchor may, and a vessel of 100 metres and more in length shall, also use the available working or equivalent lights to illuminate her decks.

(d) A vessel aground shall exhibit the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Rule and in addition, where they can best be seen:

i. two all-round red lights in a vertical line;

ii. three balls in a vertical line.

(e) A vessel of less than 7 metres in length, when at anchor, not in or near a narrow channel, fairway or anchorage, or where other vessels normally navigate, shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shape prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Rule.

(f) A vessel of less than 12 metres in length, when aground, shall not be required to exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in sub-paragraphs (d) (i) and (ii) of this Rule.

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[Hullspeed]

This is a very helpful video. Thank you!
So at anchor....
< 50 meters = 1 all round white anchor light (1 day ball)
> 50 meters = 2 all round white anchor lights, aft lower (1 day ball)
> 100 meters = deck lights must also be on at anchor. (1 day ball)
If aground *and* > 12 meters, then 2 vertical red lights are required (3 vertical day balls)

[joanaparuolo]

If a vessel of less than 12 m is aground, should she still exhibit the lights for anchored vessel as paragraph d says, even though it doesn't exhibit the red lights or the daylight shapes?

[ashhar]

Vsl aground of 100 m or more in length will exhibit lights?

[nijanrebera]

What anchor light will RAM vessels show