Rule 26 Fishing vessels
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - COLREGS - International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea - International Regulations for preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 - Rule 26Fishing vessels

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 sternlight.

  (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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