What lights does a fishing vessel show at night?

Both add sidelights and a sternlight only when making way through the water. By day any vessel engaged in fishing shows two cones with their points together, like an hourglass (a vessel under 20 m may show a basket instead).

• A trawler also shows a masthead light abaft and above the green light. It's required at 50 m and over, optional below.
• A non-trawler with gear reaching more than 150 m shows an all-round white light (or a cone point up by day) towards the gear.
• Trolling lines don't count as 'engaged in fishing'.
• In fog: one prolonged and two short blasts, at anchor too.

Source: COLREGS Rule 3(d), Rule 26 and Rule 35(c), (d).

Test yourself

More in the navigation lights quiz.

Read more

• Lights and shapes guide
• What shape and lights does a vessel at anchor show?
• When do you show a cone when motor sailing?
• What lights does a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre show?
• What lights does a vessel not under command show?
• What does a black cylinder mean on a ship?