COLREGs · Rule 26 · 33 CFR §83.26

Fishing Vessels

As of 2026-07-26: the rule splits fishing into two light pictures. A vessel TRAWLING — dragging a dredge or other apparatus through the water — shows two all-round lights in a vertical line, green over white, plus sidelights and a sternlight when making way. Any OTHER vessel engaged in fishing shows two all-round lights in a vertical line, red over white, and when her outlying gear extends more than 150 metres horizontally, an additional all-round white light (or a cone apex upwards by day) in the direction of the gear. A vessel not engaged in fishing shows only the lights for a vessel of her length.

What does Rule 26 actually say?#

Source

Verbatim 33 CFR §83.26, public domain. The international COLREGs text is published by the IMO and cannot be reproduced here; this U.S. wording tracks it closely.

A vessel engaged in fishing, whether underway or at anchor, shall exhibit only the lights and shapes prescribed in this Rule.

A vessel when engaged in trawling, by which is meant the dragging through the water of a dredge net or other apparatus used as a fishing appliance, shall exhibit:

Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being green and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with their apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

A masthead light abaft of and higher than the all-round green light; a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such a light but may do so;

When making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

A vessel engaged in fishing, other than trawling, shall exhibit:

Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper being red and the lower white, or a shape consisting of two cones with apexes together in a vertical line one above the other;

When there is outlying gear extending more than 150 meters horizontally from the vessel, an all-round white light or a cone apex upward in the direction of the gear;

When making way through the water, in addition to the lights prescribed in this paragraph, sidelights and a sternlight.

[Reserved]

A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes prescribed in this Rule, but only those prescribed for a vessel of her length.

Additional signals for fishing vessels fishing in close proximity:

The lights mentioned herein shall be placed where they can best be seen. They shall be at least 0.9 meters apart but at a lower level than lights prescribed in this Rule. The lights shall be visible all round the horizon at a distance of at least 1 mile but at a lesser distance from the lights prescribed by paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Rule for fishing vessels.

Signals for trawlers.

Vessels when engaged in trawling, whether using demersal or pelagic gear, may exhibit:

When shooting their nets: Two white lights in a vertical line;

When hauling their nets: One white light over one red light in a vertical line;

When a net has come fast upon an obstruction: Two red lights in a vertical line.

Each vessel engaged in pair trawling may exhibit:

By night, a searchlight directed forward and in the direction of the other vessel of the pair;

When shooting or hauling their nets or when their nets have come fast upon an obstruction, the lights prescribed in paragraph (f)(ii)(1) of this Rule.

Signals for purse seiners.

Vessels engaged in fishing with purse seine gear may exhibit two yellow lights in a vertical line. These lights shall flash alternately every second and with equal light and occultation duration. These lights may be exhibited only when the vessel is hampered by its fishing gear.

[Reserved] [USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, as amended by USCG-2018-0874, 84 FR 30878, June 28, 2019]

Practice this rule#

One real exam question on this rule, cited to source. No sign-up.

Rule 26 — Fishing Vessels (lights)

Under the International Rules, the minimum visibility range for a sidelight on a vessel 35 meters in length is ______.

How does Inland Rule 26 differ from COLREGs?#

Inland Rule 26 (33 CFR §83.26) carries the same light and shape combinations as COLREGs Rule 26. Both rulebooks also carry additional signals for vessels fishing in close proximity — trawler net-status lights and the purse-seiner's two yellow lights flashing alternately every second when hampered by her gear.

21 of 38 rules differ somewhere; the five the exam leans on are Rule 9, Rule 10, Rule 24, Rule 28 and Rule 34, side by side on Inland vs International Rules.

Why it shows up on the exam#

Green over white = trawling; red over white = every other kind of fishing. The 150-metre gear signal belongs to the non-trawling picture and points at the gear, which is the whole navigational point — it tells you which side not to pass. Note also that a fishing vessel is only “engaged in fishing” under Rule 3 when her gear restricts her manoeuvrability: trolling lines do not count.

What does the exam actually test here?#

Trawling
Green over white
Two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper green and the lower white — plus a masthead light abaft of and higher than the green light (optional below 50 metres), and sidelights and a sternlight when making way through the water.
Other fishing
Red over white
Any vessel engaged in fishing other than trawling shows two all-round lights in a vertical line, the upper red and the lower white, plus sidelights and a sternlight when making way.
Gear over 150 metres
White light toward the gear
When outlying gear extends more than 150 metres horizontally from the vessel, she shows an all-round white light — or by day a cone apex upwards — in the direction of the gear. That light marks the water to keep clear of.
Not fishing
Ordinary lights only
A vessel when not engaged in fishing shall not exhibit the lights or shapes of this Rule, only those prescribed for a vessel of her length. The fishing signal is a claim about restricted manoeuvrability, not a description of the boat.

Rule 26 — common exam questions#

What is the difference between trawling and other fishing lights?

Colour order. Trawling — dragging a dredge or other apparatus through the water — is green over white. Every other kind of fishing, with nets, lines or trawls that are not dragged, is red over white. Both add sidelights and a sternlight when making way.

What does green over white mean?

A vessel engaged in trawling, under Rule 26. If you also see a masthead light abaft of and higher than the green, that is the same vessel — the masthead light is required at 50 metres and over and optional below it.

What does the extra white light on a fishing vessel mean?

That her outlying gear extends more than 150 metres horizontally, and the light points in the direction of the gear. Treat it as a warning about the water on that side, not as a second vessel. By day the same information is given by a cone with its apex upwards.

Is a boat trolling lines a fishing vessel under the Rules?

No. Rule 3 defines a vessel engaged in fishing as one fishing with nets, lines, trawls or other apparatus which restricts manoeuvrability, and it expressly excludes a vessel fishing with trolling lines. A boat trolling shows the ordinary lights for her length and gets no special privileges.

Authoritative source#

33 CFR §83.26 — this section with its neighbours. 33 CFR Part 83 is public domain; checked 2026-07-26.
COLREGs Rule 26 is published by the IMO and is authoritative internationally.

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