Part C — Lights and shapes

COLREGs Rule 31: Seaplanes

Rule 31 says a seaplane or WIG craft that cannot show lights and shapes exactly as the rules require must show lights and shapes as close as possible in character and position.

What Rule 31 says

  1. Where it is impracticable for a seaplane or WIG craft to show lights and shapes of the prescribed characteristics or position, it shows ones as closely similar as possible.

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

Rarely met in UK waters, but seaplanes do operate in some lochs and harbours. On the water they keep clear of you (Rule 18), but give them room anyway.

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