Yachtmaster answers

What lights does a pilot boat show?

Two all-round lights at or near the masthead: white over red (Rule 29).

Underway she adds sidelights and a sternlight; at anchor, anchor lights. Off duty she shows the lights of any vessel her size. The Rules give her no day shape: by day she usually flies code flag H ('I have a pilot on board').

  • Memory aid: white over red, pilot ahead.
  • In fog she may add four short blasts as an identity signal.

Source: COLREGS Rule 29 and Rule 35(k).

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Rule 21Question 1 of 5

What is the arc of visibility of a masthead (steaming) light?

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