Part C — Lights and shapes

COLREGs Rule 29: Pilot vessels

Rule 29 says a pilot vessel on duty shows two all-round lights at or near the masthead, white over red, plus sidelights and a stern light when underway, or anchor lights when at anchor.

What Rule 29 says

  1. A pilot vessel engaged on pilotage duty shows two all-round lights in a vertical line at or near the masthead, white over red.
  2. Underway, it also shows sidelights and a stern light; at anchor, it also shows anchor lights or the anchor ball.
  3. Off duty, it shows the lights or shapes for a vessel of its length.

This is a plain-English summary, not the official wording. For the exact text, see the IMO convention. In UK waters the rules are given legal force by the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations.

What it means on a yacht

'White over red, pilot ahead.' A pilot boat often meets a ship at speed close to a harbour entrance; keep clear of the meeting point.

Lights and shapes under Rule 29

  • Pilot vessel on duty Rule 29

    All-round white over red — 'white over red, pilot ahead'. Sidelights and stern light when underway. Flies flag H by day.

Drawn from the starboard side at night. See every aspect in the lights and shapes trainer.

Practise it

Test yourself on who gives way in the free COLREGs trainer, or print the rules of the road cheat sheets for the chart table.

Other rules in Part C