Signal Lights
The signals and rules listed below are from the INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA, 1972.
Shown below are just some of the more common signals one may come across during the night or day, when traversing the inland waterways and the open sea.
 | Denotes a White Light being shone towards the bow (front end) of the boat |
 | Denotes a Yellow Light being shone out from the stern (back end) of the boat. |
 | Denote a Red Light being shone from the port side (left side) of the boat. |
 | Denotes a Green Light being shone from the starboard side (right side) of the boat. |
 | Denotes a Red Light being shone in a 360° arc from the boat. |
 
Anchored |  
Towing Astern - Tow over 200 meters
(200 meters or less - two masthead lights) |
 
Fishing other than Trawling |  
Vessel Aground |
 
Restricted in Ability to Maneuver |  
Not Under Command |
 
Constrained by Draft | 
Vessel Engaged in Trawling |
Tow over 200 meters
(Restricted in Ability to Maneuver) |
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Restricted
Maneuverability |
Aground |
Not Under Command |
Achored |
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| Fishing |
Under sail and power |
Towing over 200
meters astern |
Fishing - gear out
over 150 meters |
Day and Night Shapes can be used together such as in this example
 
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A vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operations: Two balls or two red lights in a vertical line indicate the side on which the obstruction exists.
The two balls with the diamond in the middle indicate that it is restricted in its ability to manuever.
The two diamonds or two green lights in a vertical line indicate the side on which another vessel may pass. |
 
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Obstruction exists on both sides of the vessel: Two balls or two red lights in a vertical line indicate the side on which the obstruction exists. In this case it is on both sides
The two balls with the diamond in the middle indicate that it is restricted in its ability to manuever. |
 
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Port Closed or Channel Blocked Signal: Three black shapes in a vertical line. The highest and lowest of these shapes is a ball and the middle one a cone apex upwards.
At night, there are three round lights in a vertical line. The highest and lowest of these lights is red, and the middle light is green. |
Channel markers or haven entrances are ussually marked out with a red and a green flashing beacon. To interpret this, always approach a red channel beacon on the port (left) side and the when coming in from the opposite direction, approach the green channel beacon on the starboard (right) side.
 Fishing Tip : |
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| Why not contact fishSA.com about your Fishing Tip |
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