Look for yellow lights.
Look for yellow lights.
Look for yellow lights.
White lights displayed above cabin
At night, a commercial vessel towing can be recognized by its distinctive navigation lights: it will display two white masthead lights vertically aligned, along with sidelights and a stern light. Additionally, the towing vessel may show a yellow towing light above the stern light. The towed vessel will typically exhibit a white light at the stern and may have sidelights if it is over 20 meters in length. Observing these light configurations is essential for safe navigation.
When the motorized vessel is a commercial vessel or when the motorized vessel has another vessel or person in tow.
commercial vessel
At night, a commercial vessel towing will typically display specific navigation lights to indicate its status. It will show a white towing light above a sternlight at the rear, as well as sidelights on the sides of the towing vessel. Additionally, the towing vessel may exhibit a special shape at the bow, such as a diamond or a specific configuration of lights, to signal its towing operation. Observing these lights and shapes is crucial for safe navigation and avoiding collisions.
The commercial vessel has right of way if conducting fishing or trawling operations. When not fishing or trawling, right of way is awarded as with two power boats.
White lights displayed above cabin
There is no precise size a vessel has to be for it to be called a ship.Generally it is a commercial vessel that carries cargo or passengers.An older definition was 'a ship is a commercial vessel that floats on water with at least one continuous watertight deck and is capable of carrying a boat.'
A commercial vessel towing at night displays a white towing light above the stern of the towing vessel and a second white light at the stern of the tow. Additionally, the vessel should show a green light on the starboard side and a red light on the port side, as well as an all-round white light at the stern of the vessel being towed. These lights help indicate the vessel's activity and ensure safe navigation for other vessels.