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COLREGs · Rule 31

Seaplanes

Seaplanes (and WIG craft) exhibit lights and shapes characteristic of vessels of their category as far as practicable.

Source: 33 CFR §83.31 · COLREGs Rule 31Last verified 2026-05-16

Rule text#

Source

The international COLREGs text is published by the IMO and is not available to reproduce here. Shown below is the U.S. counterpart, 33 CFR §83.31, which tracks the international wording closely.

Where it is impracticable for a seaplane or a WIG craft to exhibit lights and shapes of the characteristics or in the positions prescribed in the Rules of this subpart, she shall exhibit lights and shapes as closely similar in characteristics and position as is possible.

Authoritative source#

Source links checked against the current public rule corpus on 2026-05-16.

  • 33 CFR §83.31 — the section this text comes from, with its neighbours.
  • International COLREGs Rule 31 verbatim text is published by the IMO and is authoritative for international waters.

Practice this rule#

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

Under 46 CFR §11.302, a seafarer who cannot demonstrate 1 year of sea service within the last 5 years to maintain basic training (BT) competence is required to do which of the following?

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All COLREGs Rules of the RoadRule 20 — Application (Lights and Shapes)Rule 21 — Definitions (Lights)Rule 22 — Visibility of LightsRule 23 — Power-driven Vessel UnderwayRule 24 — Towing and PushingRule 25 — Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under OarsInland Rule 31Practice Rule 23Practice Rule 24Practice Rule 25Practice: Rules of the Road
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COLREGs Rule 31: Seaplanes — Captain's Exam Prep · CaptainsGround